ED Awards 2017 at breathtaking Porto, 27 May

"Porto is the kind of city we want to be associated with. It is a very vibrant city, a young city and a city that putts a lot of effort and recognition into design". This is how Demetrios Fakinos, European Design Awards Director describes this year's city host of ED Awards, on 27 May.

At the pre-conference at Faculty of Fine Arts in Porto, ED Awards Director also stated that they got to know Porto "because in 2015 its identity won The best of Show prize in the European Design Awards. We came here, invited by the City hall of Porto". The second warm-up was held at ESAD-Matosinhos.

"How to Promote your Work in the Design Arena" was the overall theme of these pre-conferences and invited guest speakers shared their experience in the world of design.

Keynote speakers were Roland Stieger, from TGG, Switzerland, Jeroen van Erp, from Fabrique, The Netherlands and Adriano Esteves, from Portugal, founder of Burocratik.

Roland Stieger's advice to young designers at the conference was "do things you love, it makes things easier". The designer considered Porto an inspiration and praised the city's beautiful branding.

Jeroen Van Erp first visited Porto when he designed the chairs for Metro train of Porto. The Dutch designer describes the Portuguese people as "very independent thinkers" that can also "connect to the world".

Portuguese designer, Adriano Esteves shared his views on the path to success without sidestepping the difficulties that may arise along the process, and the need for suitable skills and perseverance.

See here for more information on the event.