REST WOOD DESIGN WORKSHOP

University of Belgrade’s sustainable design workshop encourages students to use industrial wood waste in their projects – young talents’ first time action

One of main international design events currently operated in Balkans is of course BELGRADE DESIGN WEEK an event that takes place in May, often accompanied by world top designers and architects, quality lectures and happenings across the city. Two of its most interesting accompanying events are STUDENT DESIGN SCENE and GHOST PROJECT exhibitions, which involve student design concepts, regularly with prototypes from University of Belgrade’s Rest Wood Design Workshop.

The workshop is a project by Assistant professor MA Jelena Matić, in cooperation with professor dr Dusan Skakic, Department Chairman, and professor dr Zdravko Popovic, Head of a scientific project: Savings in Raw Wood Material and Advancement in Export of Serbian Furniture Industry, and operates as an extracurricular activity at University of Belgrade’s Furniture and Interior Design Department - Wood Processing & Furniture Design, however, gathers talented design students across the University. The creative mission is – innovative use of industrial wood waste in furniture and interior design concepts, which often results in first time experiences, valuable knowledge, sustainable prototypes, and rewards to young designers.

Organized annually, the workshop is promoting sustainable creativity and education through practical work - students realize their own ideas into prototypes.

This is a valuable experience to young designers in Serbia, mostly involved in theoretical subjects or projects, to realize their first prototype, promote it, get feedback, or even sign the first contract. Says Milica Jovich, fourth year student, rewarded with the Best Work from Workshop Award at the exhibition last year, whose work is already in sale.

This year’s Workshop resulted with 12 successful prototypes made by University of Belgrade’s Wood Processing & Furniture Design students (published here under section STUDENT PROTOTYPES), and students from Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade. Preliminary to Belgrade Design Week, some of the works already exhibited at Goethe Institute in Belgrade and some are currently being exhibited, along with other student work, at this year’s Salone Satellite, Milan Fair in April. (University of Belgrade’s exhibitions stand no C-49)