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ACCOMPANYING CREATORS
Creation grants > ‘Carte Blanche' - Project Assistance - Specific calls - Operations with schools - Partnership Project Practical assistance Promotion |
Since 1979, VIA has earned a solid reputation world-wide for revealing young talents and enabling many designers who now have international standing to do design work in habitat and furnishing. This activity of stimulation is open to creators of all origins and cultures and contributes to making France – and Paris in particular – a platform for the expression of international creation in design for living space and environments.
| Creation grants |
‘Carte Blanche' grants Pursuing its mission to promote and valorize French creation, every year VIA awards one or several ‘Carte Blanche' grants to designers whose originality and maturity of creative approach are outstanding for the period. A committee composed of well-known figures from industry, distribution, creation, education and the press attributes this research grant to the selected designer to enable him/her to develop a personal project of a prospective character. ‘Carte Blanche' projects aim at developing products focused on the everyday activities that reflect the new life-styles of contemporary people. Designers receive support from VIA all along the project elaboration process, during which time a constant eye is kept on market demands and technical feasibility. ‘Carte Blanche' assignments also give manufacturers, producers and distributors a chance to discover and meet the talented people who are designing the everyday products of tomorrow.
Since its creation in 1979, VIA has awarded 67 ‘Carte Blanche' grants:
Andréas Aas, Christian Astuguevieille, François Azambourg, François Bauchet, Martine Bedin, Marc Berthier, Christian Biecher, René Bouchara, Ronan Bouroullec, Stéphane Bureaux, Michel Cadestin, René-Jean Caillette, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Pierre Charpin, Alain Chauvel, Paul Chemotov & Borja Huidobro, Matali Crasset, Delo-Lindo, Thibault Desombre, Sylvain Dubuisson, Christian Duc, Réna Dumas, Faltazi, Jean-Louis Frechin, Bernard Fric, Elizabeth Garouste et Mattia Bonetti, Olivier Gagnère, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Kristian Gavoille, Christian Germanaz, Jean-Louis Godivier, Jean-Louis Guinochet, Häberli & Marchand, Patrice Hardy, Marc Held, Hans Hopfer, Patrick Jouin, Eric Jourdan, Mathieu Lehanneur, Arik Levy & Pippo Lionni (L.Design), Christian Liaigre, Jean-Marie Massaud, Olivier Mourgue, Pascal Mourgue, Jean Nouvel, Joon Sik Oh, Patrick Pagnon et Claude Pelhaître, Gaetano Pesce, Olivier Peyricot, Daniel Pigeon, Christophe Pillet, Jean-Michel Policar, Andrée Putman, RADI designers, Philippe Rahm, Eric Raffy, Iréna Rosinski, Frédéric Ruyant, Inga Sempé, Matt Sindall, Philippe Starck, Martin Szekely, Tsé & Tsé, Emmanuelle Torck & Emmanuelle Noirot, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, Yamo.
Since its creation in 1979, VIA has awarded 67 ‘Carte Blanche' grants:
Andréas Aas, Christian Astuguevieille, François Azambourg, François Bauchet, Martine Bedin, Marc Berthier, Christian Biecher, René Bouchara, Ronan Bouroullec, Stéphane Bureaux, Michel Cadestin, René-Jean Caillette, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Pierre Charpin, Alain Chauvel, Paul Chemotov & Borja Huidobro, Matali Crasset, Delo-Lindo, Thibault Desombre, Sylvain Dubuisson, Christian Duc, Réna Dumas, Faltazi, Jean-Louis Frechin, Bernard Fric, Elizabeth Garouste et Mattia Bonetti, Olivier Gagnère, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Kristian Gavoille, Christian Germanaz, Jean-Louis Godivier, Jean-Louis Guinochet, Häberli & Marchand, Patrice Hardy, Marc Held, Hans Hopfer, Patrick Jouin, Eric Jourdan, Mathieu Lehanneur, Arik Levy & Pippo Lionni (L.Design), Christian Liaigre, Jean-Marie Massaud, Olivier Mourgue, Pascal Mourgue, Jean Nouvel, Joon Sik Oh, Patrick Pagnon et Claude Pelhaître, Gaetano Pesce, Olivier Peyricot, Daniel Pigeon, Christophe Pillet, Jean-Michel Policar, Andrée Putman, RADI designers, Philippe Rahm, Eric Raffy, Iréna Rosinski, Frédéric Ruyant, Inga Sempé, Matt Sindall, Philippe Starck, Martin Szekely, Tsé & Tsé, Emmanuelle Torck & Emmanuelle Noirot, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, Yamo.
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Philippe Rahm - 2009 VIA Carte Blanche "De-territorialised
milieus" Eclairage - Ventilation - Mobilier - photos VIA / Marie Flores. Background image : Mathieu Lehanneur 'Carte Blanche' grant "Eléments" |
| Coordination: Michel Bouisson head of Creation Assistance & relations with schools. |
| Creation grants |
Project Assistance grants
To catalyse young talent, VIA analyses unsolicited projects that are submitted by designers every year in the form of drawings, models or photographs. A committee composed of well-known figures from industry, distribution, creation, education and the press reviews all these projects and selects those that appear to be the most relevant and innovative in terms of design, technique, and æsthetics.Two sessions are held yearly to examine dossiers: those in hand on 31 December and those in hand on 15 April. Finance is then allotted for the making of a prototype. This enables direct dialogue between the designer and the manufacturer or producer, with an eye to finding a market opening. VIA project assistance provides a valuable means of expression for young design school graduates. It also encourages the efforts of designers by putting them in direct contact with trade professionals. At the same time, VIA project assistance actions give manufacturers, producers and distributors the chance to discover and meet the talented people who are designing the products of tomorrow. Since its creation, VIA has financed 414 Project Assistance grants.
Submission of dossiers
See the latest Project Assistance grants
See the Project Assistance grants archives
See the latest Project Assistance grants
See the Project Assistance grants archives
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"Sesta" seat by Bruno Houssin - photo VIA /
Marie Flores "Twin chair" by Philippe Nigro - photo VIA / Marie Flores "Pélican" bedside unit by Marc Venot - photo VIA / Marie Flores Background Image : seat 'Cradle' by Mark Robson - photo VIA/Fillioux&Fillioux |
| Coordination: Michel Bouisson head of Creation Assistance & relations with schools. |
| Creation grants |
Specific calls Each year VIA launches a priority theme for prospective study and research. Following a Specific call action focused on ‘improving life in the office', staged in 2005 and prototyped in 2006, a new consultation was launched in 2006 on the theme ‘post-retirement: autonomy and home care'. This study subject explored the integration of hospital functions in the home environment to accompany medical care for seniors.
In answer to a request from a group of kitchenware industrialists, members of the UNIFA (Union Nationale des Industries Françaises de l'Ameublement), this year VIA is proposing a research project in partnership with French design schools. The goal is to engage in a broad re-evaluation of functions linked to the kitchen, which reflect social, cultural, economic and technological phenomena, and to monitor the consequences of their evolution on the design of space and objects.
All of these areas of investigation integrate new materials and technologies, and encourage transfers of technological processes.
In answer to a request from a group of kitchenware industrialists, members of the UNIFA (Union Nationale des Industries Françaises de l'Ameublement), this year VIA is proposing a research project in partnership with French design schools. The goal is to engage in a broad re-evaluation of functions linked to the kitchen, which reflect social, cultural, economic and technological phenomena, and to monitor the consequences of their evolution on the design of space and objects.
All of these areas of investigation integrate new materials and technologies, and encourage transfers of technological processes.
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Lie-back seat "Iro2" by Rebecca Selosse - photo : VIA / Fillioux&Fillioux Background image : lie-back seat"35H" by Frédéric Sofia - photo VIA / Fillioux&Fillioux |
| Coordination: Michel Bouisson head of Creation Assistance & relations with schools. |
| Creation grants |
Operations with schools VIA also extends financial support to training establishments whose teaching programmes include a ‘furnishing product design' course. This support enables students to build prototypes and helps to get manufacturers involved in training young designers. In the framework of teaching programmes, VIA proposes talks on prospective themes and trends, and may also conduct workshops that deal with subjects in its field of competence. VIA sits on diploma-award juries, and each year the best work done in schools is exhibited at the VIA gallery, in July and August, and at the Paris Furniture Fair in January. VIA also maintains relations with schools in Europe, the United States and Japan.
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JewelleryJ'irai dormir au bois du Four collection by Mehdi Moujane ENSCI, © V. Huygue Champagne flute glasses by Géraldine Herbomel / partnership with CIAV-Meisenthal, Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes, © F. Goetz Background image : tables"ITeasy" by Philippine |
| Coordination: Michel Bouisson head of Creation Assistance & relations with schools. |
| Creation grants |
Partnership Project VIA has added to its annual programme of support for creation and innovation a new and imaginative action, which brings together professionals as partners in developing an innovative project. The aim is to conserve and valorize skilled trades, encourage transfers of technologies and skills, and experiment with new materials or processes. .
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François Azambourg / Frédéric Morand (DCS) 2009 VIA Partnership Project "Plateau capitons" - photos VIA / Marie Flores |
| Coordination: Michel Bouisson head of Creation Assistance & relations with schools. |
| Practical assistance |
Practical assistance VIA is the only association specialized in providing practical assistance to all those involved in the process of applied creation. VIA acts as a research and development arm for the artisan-production workshops and industries that support it financially, most of which are small to medium-size concerns.
Prospective studies
VIA diffuses the prospective study surveys it has
done, which monitor changes in the life-styles of people today and the effects
these changes have on existing products or the design of new products (Domovision)
Materials & technical centres By promoting awareness of data bases for materials and of technical centres (CTBA, CETIM, IFTH, …), VIA aims at encouraging the use of new materials and advanced technologies or fabrication processes. Innovation must improve functional solutions and validate them with respect to ergonomic principles and security norms.
CTBA : Centre Technique du Bois et de l'Ameublement – www.ctba.fr
CETIM : Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques – wwww.cetim.fr
IFTH : Institut Français du textile et de l'Habillement – www.ifth.fr
Financing VIA finances prototypes, extending its range by means of institutional partners (CRITT, FRAC, DRIRE, …)
CRITT : Centre Régional pour l'Innovation et le Transfert de Technologie
FRAC : Fonds Régional d'Aide au Conseil
DRIRE : Directions Régionales de l'Industrie de la Recherche et de l'Environnement – www.drire.gouv.fr
Recommandations Specialists in matters of patents or copyright, as well as agents may be recommended by VIA to ensure the protection of a creation or the interests of designers.
Guide Jade (Juridique Appliqué au Design d’Environnement) - in French exclusively
Establishing relations Designers are put into contact with manufacturers, producers and distributors in order to facilitate the making and marketing of their product designs.
Protecting the creator’s rights VIA proposes weekly consultations for young designers starting out, in the format of a personalized rendezvous with a specialist. The price per session (unit of 45 minutes) is 160 € tax inc. The consultations take place at the Terres Nuages office, 10, rue des Filles du Calvaire 75003 Paris every Wednesday, by rendez-vous only, from 10 am to 13 pm
email : contact@terresnuages.com
The consultations address in particular:
· protecting creations and the interests of designers,
· aspects of contracts and ownership of copyright,
· analysis and recommendations for price estimates & contracts,
· advice on projects concerning creation,
· general usage in professional practise,
· referral to specialists in matters of copyright ownership, artistic agents, lawyers & makers.
Materials & technical centres By promoting awareness of data bases for materials and of technical centres (CTBA, CETIM, IFTH, …), VIA aims at encouraging the use of new materials and advanced technologies or fabrication processes. Innovation must improve functional solutions and validate them with respect to ergonomic principles and security norms.
CTBA : Centre Technique du Bois et de l'Ameublement – www.ctba.fr
CETIM : Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques – wwww.cetim.fr
IFTH : Institut Français du textile et de l'Habillement – www.ifth.fr
Financing VIA finances prototypes, extending its range by means of institutional partners (CRITT, FRAC, DRIRE, …)
CRITT : Centre Régional pour l'Innovation et le Transfert de Technologie
FRAC : Fonds Régional d'Aide au Conseil
DRIRE : Directions Régionales de l'Industrie de la Recherche et de l'Environnement – www.drire.gouv.fr
Recommandations Specialists in matters of patents or copyright, as well as agents may be recommended by VIA to ensure the protection of a creation or the interests of designers.
Guide Jade (Juridique Appliqué au Design d’Environnement) - in French exclusively
Establishing relations Designers are put into contact with manufacturers, producers and distributors in order to facilitate the making and marketing of their product designs.
Protecting the creator’s rights VIA proposes weekly consultations for young designers starting out, in the format of a personalized rendezvous with a specialist. The price per session (unit of 45 minutes) is 160 € tax inc. The consultations take place at the Terres Nuages office, 10, rue des Filles du Calvaire 75003 Paris every Wednesday, by rendez-vous only, from 10 am to 13 pm
email : contact@terresnuages.com
The consultations address in particular:
· protecting creations and the interests of designers,
· aspects of contracts and ownership of copyright,
· analysis and recommendations for price estimates & contracts,
· advice on projects concerning creation,
· general usage in professional practise,
· referral to specialists in matters of copyright ownership, artistic agents, lawyers & makers.
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Sandwich panel Curvy Composite Corrugated cardboard panel Well Board Biopolymer bambooNapac Nature Pot Background image de fond: bent wood Formholz Source Innovathèque |
| Promotion |
Promotion
Catalogue All VIA-financed projects benefit from publication in an annual catalogue, a reference work in which the designers selected are able to express their creative approach.
| Download VIA catalogues |
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2005
(pdf, 2Mo) |
Exhibitions VIA helps to promote and valorize the creative and innovative image of the French Furniture Industries, in France and abroad. In Paris, the VIA gallery is a permanent show window for French design and also contributes to a better knowledge of international design by hosting group exhibitions of foreign designers. On average, five exhibitions are held there every year. The gallery also caters to events organized by furnishing professionals or people working in related sectors. VIA exhibition stands are present at all major trade fairs and international design venues (Paris, Milan, Cologne, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, …). As well, pursuing its mission of promotion or working with partners, VIA puts together theme exhibitions that tour museums, cultural centres, galleries and department stores world-wide.
International promotion of French designers
VIA organizes talks and discussions in the margins of international trade fairs or design events. The designers and interior architects that take part in them are able to present their work to other professionals, and informal exchanges around projects are an excellent means of favouring business contacts. References :
- Beijing in 2005 and Shanghai in 2006 with ‘France : houses to live in'
- Montreal in 2001 with ‘Métiers d'art, métiers de la création : approche gagnante'
- Tokyo in 1999 with ‘French design & new materials'
These operations serve to promote French talents not just locally but all over the world .
- Beijing in 2005 and Shanghai in 2006 with ‘France : houses to live in'
- Montreal in 2001 with ‘Métiers d'art, métiers de la création : approche gagnante'
- Tokyo in 1999 with ‘French design & new materials'
These operations serve to promote French talents not just locally but all over the world .
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" VIA @ Meuble Paris 08 " - Milan 2005 2008 Meuble Paris furniture fair " VIA @ Milan 2008 " - Triennale di Milano 2008 "Growing materials" - VIA gallery 2008 Scenographies : Yves Gradelet |
| Contact: Yves Gradelet architect scenograprapher, in charge of exhibitions. |