Globalisation is radically affecting the character of international design. The design superpowers of the 21st century will not be those who narrowly focus on issues of national identity, but those, like Britain, who enthusiastically embrace the import and export of creative ideas.

At the start of the new millennium, the character of British design is much more open, fluid and dynamic than it used to be, revitalised over the last decade by the active influx and outflow of ideas. In the past, although we generated plenty of creativity, there were few ways of producing products other than to go it alone. Now, we send ideas off to Europe to be manufactured, while we, in return, receive vital injections of new blood in the form of design students from abroad. Attracted by the quality of the design education system in Britain many of these designers subsequently choose to settle and practise in this country, adding a new element of diversity to the British scene.

Focusing on case studies of 14 UK-based designers and design practices from furniture, graphic design, fashion, architecture and product design backgrounds, Import Export examines a range of questions that this flow of ideas raises. What is it about the British design education system that attracts so many aspiring young designers from abroad? What makes foreign designers want to work in Britain? What benefits do British designers gain from working with clients abroad (and vice versa)? And with so many foreign designers practising in Britain, and so many British designers collaborating with foreign firms, is there such a thing as British design?

Some of the designers included in Import Export are at the exciting, early, exploratory stages of their careers, such as furniture designer Gitta Gschwendtner and graphic designer Laurent Benner, who both produce inventive, witty, offbeat work. Some have growing international reputations, such as product designer Sebastian Bergne and furniture designers Shin and Tomoko Azumi, whose imagination and professionalism attract leading clients from around the world. Some are already globally renowned – the superstars of their professions - such as graphic designers Aboud Sodano, who promote brands such as Paul Smith and Levi, and fashion designers Clements Ribeiro, who create collections for their own label, as well as designing for Cacharel.

After its initial launch in India, Import Export inspired a companion exhibition, Global Local, which explores the international influences on contemporary Indian design. Similarly, further companion shows developed in Australia and Finland exploring local contemporary design. Import Export, along with its various companion exhibitions, is now coming home to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, from 20th September until 4th December 2005 in a grand celebration of cultural exchange in design. It will be accompanied by a critcal debate examining globalisation in design featuring keynote speakers, Rem Koolhaas and John Thackara. The debate will take place at the V&A Museum on October 14th. Read more about the global design critical debate.

Import Export was launched at the Habitat Centre, Delhi, India and continued its tour to Bangalore and Mumbai in September 2004. It then opened at the Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia, in January and moved on to Helsinki, Finland, in June 2005.

Tour Schedule for 2006

Franz Mayer Museum, Mexico City - 4th February to 7th May 2006

Venezuela, Caracas - tbc

For further information contact Catherine Ince