To  present design to the Brazilian entrepreneur as a tool for innovation capable of adding value to products. This is the fundamental goal of the Paraná Creation (Criação Paraná) program, an initiative of the Design Center that has already generated two editions, in 2002 and 2005. Based on the concept of assisted development, the Paraná Creation (Criação Paraná) has guided companies interested in launching new products with the due attention to design.

Entrepreneurs were assisted in the identification of business opportunities and financing lines, search for a designer, suppliers and in the product's registration and patenting. In both editions, the closing moment was the production of a catalogue and open exhibit to the public. In total, 83 prototypes were obtained, from which 32 became actual products on the market.

Unknown in Brazil at the time, this experience was based on the Glasgow Collection project, carried out successfully in Scotland between 1997 and 1999 and whose guidelines were: selecting good design ideas; minimizing red tape; keeping a streamlined relation between all agents; organizing a personnel management team with people with experience in design and generating a positive attitude.

In the first edition of the Paraná Creation (Criação Paraná), the Design Center had a partnership with the state government and four other institutions - Brazilian Micro and Small Businesses Support Program (Sebrae) in Paraná, South Region Development Bank (BRDE), Paraná State Industry Federation (Fiep) and Paraná's Technology Institute (Tecpar). In the second edition, Sebrae Paraná was also present, as well as National Sebrae and Science and Technology Ministry Studies and Projects Financing Agency (Finep).

Between the editions, an evaluation process took place, carried out through different workshops on which professors such as  Gui Bonsiepe, Acyr Seleme, Belmiro Valverde and Elói Zanetti participated, as well as international speakers, such as Bruce Wood. Besides, participating entrepreneurs were included in the process. This identification allowed for improvement in theParaná Creation (Criação Paraná) second edition, and it then included other companies from other states and took a more commercial and less scientific approach.

• Metodology
• Statistics
• Cases
• Awards
  

Know the Paraná Creation methodology

One of the most important competitive edges of the program Paraná Creation (Criação Paraná) is the ability to replicate its results. With support of Science and Technology Ministry Studies and Projects Financing Agency (Finep), the Design Center developed a method to be used in any group interested in disseminating design for business practices.

The methodology can be divided into "macro" and "micro". The macro methodology is applied to managing the whole process, and is called "program methodology". It requires management tools that make it possible to replicate the initiative in other parts of the country. The micro methodology, on the other hand, is used in providing services for each of the participating entrepreneurs, and is called "assisted development".

The first stage in the application of the Paraná Creation methodology is to visit companies, unions, spin-off areas, institutions and design offices to identify those interested in participating. After this, the second stage, called Paraná Creation Club, organizes courses, lectures, workshops and events for the integration of entrepreneurs and designers.

After identifying the business opportunities, companies are assisted in the elaboration of the development project of new products. This includes hiring qualified design professionals, whose work will be followed up through regular meetings with the entrepreneurs, under the Paraná Creation (Criação Paraná) program's supervision.

During  this process, Consulting Panels take place, which are specialists meetings with the program's management team. In these meetings, each product project's deployment is analyzed. The final result is the obtaining of prototypes to be shown in a catalogue and which will be part of the exhibit.

Click and check the article "Paraná Creation (Criação Paraná) program - turning ideas into innovative products".

Paraná Creation (Criação Paraná): Statistics

Cases

Eco-Shape
Eco-Shape is a product of Flying Skateboards, a small-sized company investing in design which participated on both editions. The company identified, in the growing ecological awareness, an opportunity to generate an innovative skate shape. With incentive from the Design Center, the company sped up their product development with certified wood and ecologically correct resins. The shape is made of pine, eucalyptus and bamboo, which offer improved resistance and durability. The adoption of renewable raw materials consolidates the company as a company in tune with the generation buying their products.

Technical file
Company: Flying/Balsa Nova -   PR
Size: small
Entrepreneur: Antonio Wilmar Portes
Designer: Ricardo Meira
Material: laminate
Main manufacturing process: carpentry

 

Parruda
Launched in 2000 with the Design Center's support, the first version of this self-propelled crop sprayer Parruda was a great market hit. In the Paraná Creation program of 2005, Montana, the patent owning company, presented a new generation of the equipment based on their previous experience and incorporating many innovations in design. Among them, a door opening system with improved ergonomics; increased space perception in the cabin; object and tool holders, cd player, thermos and other items.

Technical file
Company: Montana/São José dos Pinhais - PR
Size: mid-sized
Entrepreneur: Gilberto Zancopé
Designer: Design Inverso
Materials: fiberglass, profiles and metallic sheets
Main manufacture process: fiberglass molding, cutting, folding and welding of metal sheets and profiles

 

Trikke T 320e
Three-wheeled, human propulsion vehicle driven by side-swinging: a new concept in economic, non-polluting urban transportation. A small electric motor can be employed when necessary, allowing for the Trikke to reach up to 40 km/hour. The product comes out of a dynamic production chain: it was designed and developed in Curitiba by the multinational company Trikke to be manufactured in China, and was initially sold in the USA, Europe and Japan.

Technical file
Company: Trikke R&D Brazil/Pinhais - PR
Designers: Ana P. da silva, Charles Coelho, Luiz R. da Cruz and Rodrigo Bruhn

Awards

• Joker furniture set
  Company: Freso
  Museu da Casa Brasileira Award 2002
  Category Home Furniture
  
  
• Scopo Chair and Armchair
  Company: Movime
  Ecodesign 1st Prize 2002
  Category Project
  
  
• Tecmater Adapter
  Company: Tecmater
  iF Design Awards Prize 2006
  Category Industry