6 new Scottish Design projects celebrating our industrial roots

You can forgive the summer swarms bustling down the Royal Mile for assuming that all designers make in Scotland are an array of tartan scarves and packaging for whisky bottles.

As the crowds and the spotlights descend for the world’s biggest arts festival, there are a whole host of projects taking place that are fiercely trying to reframe contemporary design in Scotland. Many of which utilise the makers and manufacturers listed on Make Works. So, Welcome, World, here are some of our favourites. 

1. Local Heroes, Edinburgh Airport, 1-31 August

As part of the Year of Architecture and Innovation 2016, Stacie Hunter and her team have assembled an exclusive collection of travel-inspired souvenirs by some of Scotland’s most prominent designers. Presented in a shipping container outfitted by Old School Fabrications, the exhibition features colourful, pattern-based work from the likes of Warriers Studio, Rebecca Torres, Karen Mabon and Trakke. 

If you can’t make it to the airport, you can watch these accompanying films by Future Positive studio or attend The Local Heroes discussion panels and workshops this weekend. 

More information: localheroes.design

2. Vanguards Magazine Launch, Glasgow, 12 August 

We have always dreamed that there would one day, be a magazine specifically focussed on Scottish manufacturing. We are therefore delighted to see Vanguards, “a print magazine exploring and celebrating Scotland’s rich and diverse design and manufacturing tradition” launch at Glasgow based watch designer INSTRMNT from 6pm this evening. The magazine promises in-depth writing on manufacturing processes, whilst developing a critical voice against unsustainable and unethical manufacturing. 

You can buy your copy of Vanguards magazine here. 

3. India Street Bazaar, Online

In 1823, Glaswegian businessman, George Mackintosh, industrialist David Dale and French chemist Pierre Jacques Papillon set up Dalmarnock Works, a manufacturer of Turkey Red fabrics bound for export to India. Today, in the Vale of Leven, the ‘India Street’ street sign is all that is left to show the derelict factory site which was once the home to a global textile industry. 

Whilst the exhibition showcasing work inspired by this factory and its Turkey Red archives has finished, you can still purchase the designs, watch films and read the stories surrounding the research online. Curated by Katy West and featuring designers Emlyn Firth, The People Tree and Charlotte Linton. 

More information: indiastreetbazaar.net

4. Paisley Make Festival, Paisley, 31st August - 3rd September

There is a hive of renewed activity in Paisley in the run up to the town’s bid for City of Culture 2021. Paisley Make is a new annual festival as part of this, celebrating the world famous pattern collection, industrial heritage and skills. Alongside a Scotland Re:Designed exhibition, there are a series of talks and workshops to go to. We're mainly excited because of the collection of speakers, including Penny Martin from the Gentlewoman, David Mullane of W2 Store, Margo Graham from MYB Textiles and James Lang from the Scottish Leather Group. 

More information: paisleymake.com

5. Seine Net Queens, Helmsdale, 20 August - 9 October

No summer in Scotland is complete without the latest project from independent curators, Panel, who have previously worked on projects such as Scotland Can Make It! And Inventors of Tradition. Inspired by the north-east coastal town of Helmsdale, Seine Net Queens presents newly commissioned work by textile designer Laura Spring, artist Bernie Reid and fashion researcher Mairi MacKenzie. The work is made in response to a selection of photographs of the herring trade from Timespan’s industrial sea-fishing archive. 

More information: Timespan

6. Printshop!, Glasgow, 6 August - 4 September

Printshop! is both an exhibition of collaborative work by graphic designers Edwin Pickstone and Giles Round, and a functioning studio to participate in artist-led production of print. The large scale work produced within the Caseroom of The Glasgow School of Art provides a setting for workshops in printing techniques. These include screenprinting, bookbinding and letterpress from a selection of Glasgow based print loving designers: Alice Rooney, Neil McGuire, Ben Ashton & Zephyr Liddell.

More information: Tramway