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Design Celebrated in Torino, Italy

A four-part design forum will take place over 2008.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 1/7/2008 12:00:00 AM

Torino, Italy is the first World Design Capital, according to the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), a global not-for-profit organisation that promotes better design around the world.

To mark the occasion, Torino ushered in 2008 with a city-wide celebration. The city, which hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics, is currently reinventing itself and moving away from industrial roots. This transformation made the city stand out from other nominations, according to the ICSID jury. The initiative is promoted by the International Design Alliance (IDA).

The festivities were held in Piazza Castello, considered the Baroque heart of the city. Design party favors included LED Throwies--small glowing objects constructed during public events to light up the city at night--and huge balloons that change color when touched. The latter is part of the Zygote-Tangibile Interaction project.

The program will include a year-long design forum divided into four phases: Public Design, Economy and Design, Education and Design, and Design Policies.