Space 2… BuyEncouraging Local Entrepreneurshipmore on: http://designdisruptiongroup.wordpress.com/

HEI: Northumbria University; Design Disruption Group

Main Partners: Newcastle YMCA, Eldon Gardens Shopping Centre

Funders: Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF)

Place: Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Keywords: community-based enterprises; social enterprises

Context: The Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop was part of a wider Space 2… initiative, run with Newcastle YMCA who have been working with a range of businesses in Newcastle City Centre to help tackle the mounting crisis of youth unemployment in the region.

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Project Response: The key objective of the project was to encourage more entrepreneurship in Newcastle and inspire young people to create their own opportunities through design. Each participant created 10 identical products for no more than £20 and then sold them in the Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop. 20% of all profits made went to Newcastle YMCA and the remainder went to the creator.

Actor Profile: Northumbria University, Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences Students and Staff

Over 100 staff and students from the Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences created over 200 unique products for sale in the Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop. This “real world” project gave students (and staff) valuable experience into how to commercialise their design ideas.

Actor Profile: Newcastle YMCA

YMCA staff have gained confidence and motivation to think differently about their work and turn small ideas into real beneficial change. Also, the Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop initiative has shown them how they can generate revenue that will make their charity more sustainable.

Actor Profile: Eldon Gardens Shopping Centre

The “Pop Up” Shop was received with great interest from the Eldon Gardens customers and the challenge was of real benefit to both the designers and customers alike. Eldon Gardens have suggested working on similar projects with Northumbria University in the future.

The Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop opened for 4 days in Eldon Gardens, Newcastle. Over 100 participants from Northumbria University and Newcastle YMCA created 10 identical products for no more than £20. At the end of 4 days, we made over £1500 profit and donated 20% to Newcastle YMCA.

Tools and Methods:Participants brought their own personal approach to this project. Many of them untapped highly creative and entrepreneurial skills they never knew they had. Northumbria University Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences helped support many of the projects realised through careful and supportive mentoring as well as access to manufacturing processes and techniques.

Role of Design: Design played a huge role in this project. By designing and making 10 relatively simple identical objects, over 100 participants showed that profit can be made in only 4 days. Design, therefore, has shown that it can re-energise communities and support greater levels of entrepreneurship in communities.

Project Output and Impact:

Over 100 contributors.Over 200 individual products sold.Over £1500 profit made in only 4 days.Over 300 visitors to the “Pop Up” Shop every hour.Newcastle YMCA “delighted”.Eldon Gardens Shopping Centre “ecstatic”.

Learning outcomes:

The key learning outcomes:

• Deep insight into “real world” commercial opportunities.• Working with other collaborators, negotiating and communicating.• Designing and market testing original ideas.• Ease or difficulty in selling your design ideas to others.• Managing a tight budget.• How to make a profit.

Successes and Shortcomings: Engagement with collaborators YMCA and Eldon Gardens a huge success.Visitor numbers and profit made a huge success.An excellent experience for all involved.Significant logistical issues involved (e.g. lost stock, Trading Standards, etc…)Key enablers were all the participants involved (i.e. Northumbria University, Newcastle YMCA, and Eldon Gardens, Newcastle).