On behalf of the Philippines Department of Trade, the British Council recruited UK designer Nick Paterson, from the product and furniture design company Studio Platform for a four-month consultancy in product design and development in the Bicol region.

Manufacturers in the Bicol region recognised the need to strengthen their competitive edge in product design as well as improving local standards of production. Nick worked with the Bicol producers, to develop new products and production techniques. Nick helped market test the new products which he has helped develop in advance of showing them at the Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers Exchange exhibition in October 2002. Nick also promoted the creative energy of UK designers to the Philippine media and to local craftsmen, manufacturers, exporters and international buying offices.

Nick Paterson and Nick Jinkson graduated from the Royal College of Art with MAs in Design Products and formed Studio Platform in 2001. They have collaborated with Fritz Hansen (Denmark), Wireworks (UK), MUJI (UK and Japan), Penguin Products/Inflate (UK), Ritzenhoff (Germany), ACME Writing Tools (USA) and Purves and Purves Manufacturing (UK).

The British Council will be looking for a product/furniture or fashion accessories designer to continue this work in June 2003 for the Manila exhibition in October 2003. The principal materials produced in the Bicol region are hardwoods, minerals, coconut, and other natural fibres.

For further information please contact: Alison Moloney