This is the third in a series of posts that outline 5 reasons why this girlaboutOtown believes design is coming on strong in Ottawa.
Ottawa’s design community collaborates!
One might think that with the growing number of designers and decorators doing business in Ottawa, competition would be fierce.
While in the past, professional rivalry was de rigueur in the design and decorating trades, it does appear that things may be changing. Fortunately, this community seems to have developed sufficient confidence to recognize there are plenty of clients to go around and that collaboration benefits everyone.
Add to this newfound swagger a new found openness to talent emerging from outside of the traditional education system. Read any shelter magazine these days, and you are sure find the work of a design blogger, a textile expert, or a furniture flipper profiled, for sure. To me, this just means more passion, more creativity, and more exposure for anyone involved, which is good for everyone in the field.
Anyway, in almost every design-related conversation I’ve had lately, every single person has expressed a different niche, specialty or area of interest. Some are dedicated modernists, some are focused on furniture, and still others get excited about planning space. Regardless of their personal preferences and professional approach, each designer brings their unique aesthetic and varied expertise to the creative process. And, as Ottawa’s design community continues to evolve, individual practitioners must define their strengths, articulate their offerings and position their businesses with more clarity.
Take for example, the recent establishment of the Ottawa Design Network Group (ONDG) with it’s 80% business to 20% design philosophy. By providing valuable support to members building their businesses, this organization is feeding the kind of collaboration that extends well beyond the pure creative. Plus, the positive energy being generated is really quite exciting!
Kimberly Seldon and members of the ODNG at a recent Tweet Up. Image via The Designers Desk blog by Custom Home Interiors Ottawa.
And, let’s face it. There are many ways cooperation in the design community can be beneficial:
The Habitat for Humanity Gift Home, the largest donation ever received by the National Capital Region chapter, is now open for public viewing. After a major renovation, executed by a dream team of trades people, corporate sponsors and volunteers from Ottawa’s design community, the home will go up for sale as part of Habitat’s Capital Campaign. Many of the city’s most established designers participated, and the results have been stunning. If you want to tour this amazing designer showcase, you’ve got one chance left next Monday, October 11 from 10am-4pm. Click here for directions & ticket details. 
Image via HabitatGiftHome.com
The 20.4.20 Designer Day Marathon, hosted and organized by Gendron Antiques will raise funds to support 25 year old Stephanie Lanctot, a recent Ottawa U graduate who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. By combining the generosity of sponsors with the donated time of talented local designers and decorators, 20.4.20 Designer Day Marathon offers extremely affordable access to the experts – all for a good cause. Sign up for only $20, and get 20 minutes of professional advice on colour, fabric, layout or whatever your home needs most! Click here for more details on when, where and how to sign up.
Loved reading about this from your perspective! It is so enlightening to talk to other designers and to foster some collaboration and cooperation instead of being secretive and competitive. Here’s to change!
Great post! I love the collaboration ODNG fosters and it’s wonderful to see it working outside of ODNG too. I went to the Gift Home for the estate sale earlier this year. I will definitely be checking out the new and improved this weekend to see the difference. Looks awesome!