The European project DesignSmart continues to make progress in identifying the skills designers need to support the transition towards more sustainable and circular fashion and leather industries.
During the first phase of the project, partners across Europe conducted surveys and focus groups with designers, SMEs, educators and industry experts. The objective was to better understand the current skills gaps in circular design and sustainable product development.
These activities are now feeding into the National Reports, which analyse the needs and challenges identified in each participating country.
The insights gathered will support the next stage of the project: the development of a training programme and curriculum aimed at equipping designers with the knowledge and tools required for circular product design.
Leather Cluster Barcelona, together with the other DesignSmart partners, is actively contributing to this research phase and helping ensure that the results reflect the needs of the fashion and leather sectors.
In the coming months, the project will move forward with the development of the DesignSmart training framework, which will provide new educational resources to support designers and industry professionals in adopting circular design practices.
