CDEF seen to help boost Cebu's niche in designing

CEBU, Philippines - The creation of Cebu Design Education Foundation (CDEF) will pave the way for the realization of Cebu’s dream to establish a professional “Design Academy”, this is to sustain or re-enforce Cebu’s niche in designing.

Designer Kenneth Cobonpue, who is one of the founding board members of the CDEF said that pursuing to ultimate create a Design Academy in Cebu is part of the CDEF long term vision.

CDEF is a non-stock, non profit organization founded by a core group of design professionals and educators mainly to enhance the design culture in Cebu and to support sustainable development through design education.

It offers free access to the best of design information through its flagship initiative, the Chive Mori Design Library that hosts a collection of more than 700 titles of cutting-edge design books and journals.

At present, the organization has partnered with big colleges and universities, such as University of the Philippines, University of San Carlos, University of Cebu, Dela Salle University to provide hands-on training for design students in close coordination with industry players.

Cobonpue, who has made his name in the world’s design industry, especially for furniture, earlier expressed his dream to create a Design Academy in Cebu, to hone world-class designers, and sustain Cebu’s prestige in the designing skill.

The CDEF gathers icon players in the broad design and creative industries in Cebu, from furniture, fashion accessory, animation, graphics, and fashion, among others.

A major program of the Foundation is the monthly Design Speak/Share Lecture Series when designers of international caliber give a lecture or a workshop on any of the following design disciplines: architecture, home furniture, fashion and multi-media.

Cobonpue, who sits as the vice president for external for CDEF, said that the organization is also collaborating with the Creative Council in Cebu, as well as the government agencies like Department of Trade and Industry.

According to Cobonpue, Cebu has to nurture the design niche, and importantly quantify the impact of design to business, and province’s economy.

While the CDEF, still starting its advocacy being the venue for dialogue among academe and industry players in the design industry, will ultimately lead to fulfill Cebu’s higher dreams in creating a pool of world-class designers.

One of the main reasons why Cebu’s furniture, fashion accessories, gifts and houseware exports have been able to weather the severe challenges, specifically the recent global recession, is due to its strength in design.

If China, and other countries were able to snatch some of the market share from the Philippines, these countries still have to work very hard, to compete with the brilliant design capabilities of Filipino designers, especially Cebuano designers.

CDEF led by Cobonpue, Butch Carungay, and academe players like Stella Fernandez aims to develop Cebu into a vibrant and dynamic design destination and to facilitate design quality and continuous improvement through education and professional development.— Ehda M. Dagooc