The MELBA SCHOOL series continues with an educational class for proactive designers, led by Maja Lalić, architect, founder of the multidisciplinary cultural platform and festival Mikser, and co-founder of Young Balkan Designers, a regional platform that aims to discover, develop and promote creative talent from the Balkan region in the field of sustainable design; and Jelena Matić, furniture and interior designer and co-founder of Young Balkan Designers.

The class is suitable for students and/or professionals in the field of furniture/industrial/product design or architecture. Participants will examine design as a strategic and dynamic discipline that requires proactive thinking, adaptability and a holistic approach. The thematic focuses within the workshop are:

• Design competitions: in-depth exploration and analysis of various international design competitions: categories and criteria for selecting finalists; building skills in researching and identifying appropriate competitions based on interest and experience;
• Creating a persuasive portfolio: strategies for curating and presenting a compelling body of work (with personalized portfolio guidance);
• Concept development: techniques for generating unique and innovative design concepts;
• Opportunities to interact with international professionals in the field;
• Building strategic design thinking;

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

• How to research and select suitable design competitions based on interest and expertise;
• How to curate and present a compelling design portfolio;
• Techniques for effective documentation and presentation of design projects;
• Proficiency in generating unique and innovative design concepts;
• Techniques for effective time management, especially in the context of design competitions; Skills for working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.

The class aims to inspire and provide useful guidance and tools to orient the next generation of professionals on the path to success in the dynamic world of design.

WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR THIS CLASS?

A laptop with professional software for designers or architects installed.
The workshop will be held in English.

TICKETS

Number of participants: 15
Regular: BGN 60
Students: BGN 50

* Request your ticket at hello@studiokomplekt.com with the subject MELBA CLASS and we will reply with details of payment by bank transfer. The number of places in this class is 15, so hurry up to reserve yours!

About Maja Lalić and Jelena Matić

Maja Lalić is an architect with a focus on sustainable urban development and circular design. She is co-founder and creative director of Belgrade’s Mikser organization and creative director of Mikser Festival dedicated to the development of creative potentials of the Balkan region. As an architect and urban designer trained at Columbia University in New York, Maja employs her rich international network to enhance the exchange between progressive international and local design practices. Under Maja’s program direction, Belgrade Design Week and Mikser Festival put the city of Belgrade and the Balkans on the international design map which motivated her to initiate several design talents showcases – Ghost Project, Young Serbian Designers, and Young Balkan Designers, in order to present the variety of local talents to the world. Recognized internationally as an experienced design curator with an eye for creative talents who are set on “changing the world”, Maja is invited to the Jury panels of prestigious international design competitions such as Salone Satellite, Timisoara Architecture Biennale, The Global Graduate Design Show, etc.

Professor Jelena Matić,furniture and interior designer, co-founder of Young Balkan Designers,is focused on extracurricular education and practical training of the new generation of furniture designers by leading domestic and international student workshops, facilitating contacts between young experts and furniture manufacturers in the region and actively promoting the works of students in the country and abroad. Under her direction and mentorship, numerous projects connecting students with the manufacturing sector were realized. Jelena Matić’s long-standing collaboration with the Mikser platform is key to the development of the young design scene in Serbia and more broadly, as it encourages designers to turn their ideas into concrete prototypes – a practice that Jelena also applies as a lecturer and mentor of the curriculum “Technology, Management and Design of Furniture and Wood Products” at the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Belgrade.