PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release How did a stack of 1970s magazines become a radio? A lamp become a bird’s nest? Deptford Design Market Challenge: 26 secondhand objects, 26 designers A collaboration between Creative Lewisham Agency, Raw Nerve and the London Design Festival, the Deptford Design Market Challenge is bringing together an eclectic mix of 26 of the word’s top designers for an inventive and provocative project. The designers, who include Conran, Stuart Haygarth, Becky Oldfield and Simon Heijdens, have each been asked to pick a second-hand object – a paint box, a guitar, a basket of toy soldiers – bought from Deptford Market. Their task is to challenge preconceptions of usefulness and beauty, using their talents to re-work the item, creating something unique, desirable and functional. By re-interpreting the discarded, the aim of the Market Challenge is to inspire and encourage designers to think about re-using what is available before creating an entirely new product from scratch. The possibilities for regeneration are endless: compressing or manipulating the object; reengineering it; using it as an image for a website… The re-designed items, now transformed from humble bargains to design icons, will be displayed at the newly refurbished Royal Festival Hall as part of the London Design Festival, running from 15th – 25th September 2007. Each item will then go up for auction on the 25th. These objects can be viewed online at http://deptforddesignchallenge.com/challenge.php. Check the website next week for a sneaky preview of some of the redesigned objects. Deptford designers will also run a linked programme of events and exhibitions showcasing the enormous design talent in the area, which is one of London’s ‘Creative Hubs’. Deptford Design 2007, centred on Creekside, SE8, will have studio open days, including Cockpit Arts, with education opportunities and activities for all ages, including a designer’s café on the ground floor of Cockpit.

Notes to Editors Issued by: X, Creative Lewisham Agency Old Laban Centre Laurie Grove New Cross London SE14 6NH ph: n/a, e: n/a, web: www.creativelewishamagency.org.uk 1. Co-ordinated and managed by the Creative Lewisham Agency in partnership with Raw Nerve, and the London Design Festival, the Deptford Design Market Challenge is kindly sponsored by Galliard Homes and Creekside Village East and West. 2. Designer-makers taking part are: &made, Alexander Taylor, Based Upon, Conran and Partners, Daniel Brown, Daniel Eatock, Gitta Gschwendtner, Idol Hands, Julia Lohmann, Karen Ryan, Kate Maestri, Linda Florence, Marti Guixe, Martino Gamper, Max Lamb, Maxim Velcovsky, Michael Cross, Nadine Jarvis, Peter Jensen, Rebecca Oldfield, Simon Elvins, Simon Heijdens, Squire and Partners, Stuart Haygarth, Tony Mullen, Wemake. 3. Creative Lewisham Agency (www.creativelewishamagency.org.uk) was set up by Lewisham Council in 2001. In 2003, CLA became independent of the Council and is now a company limited by guarantee with a Board of Directors. Funded by London Development Agency and Lewisham Council, CLA works with the creative industries in Lewisham and Greenwich, as part of Creative London’s ‘Creative Hubs’ programme. 4. The award-winning Raw Nerve (www.raw-nerve.co.uk) is a diverse and eclectic crossplatform design collective based in Deptford, London. They are designing the Deptford Design Market Challenge website (http://deptforddesignchallenge.com/challenge.php) where you can find out more information about the challenge as well as visit the secondhand items before and after their design makeover. 5. The fifth London Design Festival runs from 15 – 25 September 2007. With over 200 projects and audiences of 300,000 it has quickly become one of the most important design events in the world. More information, including press packs and passes can be found at www.londondesignfestival.com. 6. In conjunction with Deptford Design 2007, the popular special edition DD07 newspaper will be printed again this year and will continue to profile contributors to the Festival and celebrate local design creativity, highlighting opportunities within the area. This is to be distributed at key points throughout London prior to and during the Design Festival. Contact us if you require a copy.