One of the liveliest annual events in the Twin Cities design world is “Dirty Laundry.” Presented by the College of Design at the University of Minnesota, the series (which began in 2008) brings together professionals from the home goods, architecture, interiors, graphic and agency design sectors, to spill the beans or air “dirty laundry” on the ins and outs of being in the design business. Putting a witty or humorous spin on the inside scoop is a requirement.
This year’s event happens Wednesday, November 15, at 7 p.m., in Rapson Hall at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. The event is free, but registration is requested. Do so here.
Kathryn Sieve, one of this year’s speakers, is an integral part of the Twin Cities’ maker culture. She’s founder, owner, and designer of Winsome Goods. A graduate of the Apparel Design program at the U, Sieve began Winsome Goods as a side project while working at Target. She recently made the jump to full-time ownership and now has four employees.
Winsome Goods is a line of women’s clothing designed and produced in Minneapolis. “Our mission is to create timeless and sustainable garments that do not adhere closely to a specific trend, fad, or seasonality,” Sieve writes on the Winsome website. “They are made to fit a range of body shapes and styles. Since all of our product is produced in our own studio, we are able to cut down on the wasted materials and resources in transportation. Even the fabrics we use are selected based on sustainability and ease of care. All of our materials are either natural – including silk, wool, and linen, or synthetics sourced only as recycled or deadstock.”
Teri Kwant, director of RSP Dreambox, is the other speaker. RSP Dreambox is a think tank of sorts for designers, focused on experience design and environmental communications. That means brand and signage, exhibits and artifacts, wall graphics and color palettes: whatever a company, workplace, or even hotel, restaurant or apartment complex needs to differentiate itself and communicate its identity is within the purview of Dreambox.
“Our practice of experience design blends research, environmental psychology and design principles to build holistic, sensory-based experiences” that are relevant to clients’ customers, patients or employees, reads the Dreambox website.
To see and hear what past speakers had to say, visit this list.
By Camille LeFevre