How did you choose the cities?

We have cross-referenced economic reports, with media coverage and membership in professional design organizations. Those cities that met our “creative city” criteria are the cities that we are visiting. We chose cities that are not often in the spotlight and are pursuing enlightened strategies and ideas.

Are you coming to my city?

It depends, is your city listed on our itinerary? If it is, yes we are on our way. If it isn’t we might still decide to swing through. As our research progresses we will finalize the city program so there may be some additions or subtractions in the build up to the trip.

If your city doesn’t make it this time, we apologize. We would love to visit every city in America but we just can’t fit everything into this first exploratory trip. We do hope you will argue the merits of your city in one our communities though.

What is the day-to-day schedule?

We’re building, with limited resources, a robust website and social networking presence to take in suggestions, comments and recommendations on who to talk to and what to see in each city in anticipation of our trip. This crowd sourcing combined with our own research will guide the journey.

In each city, we plan to interview as many designers as possible to understand how they participate in their city’s brand, life and economy, among other things, then we upload all the data and move to the next city. At the end of the trip we’ll select the best content and put it all together into a promotional book on design led change in the US.

Who is financing your project?

We are. We have put together a series of proposals to potential partners but haven’t received much of a response just yet. This project is as much an experiment as it will be a book.

We are really into crowd sourcing and crowd funding theories. As part of the experiment we are building as large as possible social network to take and in and participate with crowds. We have also listed our project on kickstarter.com to explore the potential of crowd funding.

If you can help us with funding, we do appreciate it, if you can only help with an opinion that is welcome too.

What do you need?

We are obviously trying to cram a lot into 62 days. We have considered extending the journey but there has to be a sense of urgency about what we are doing. There is no better time to start imagining the future of American cities and there is no community better placed to do that than the creative community. We desperately need creatives thinking about the future.

We also need financial support. We are passionate about what we do but we do have to eat, pay for gas, stay in hotels and cover basic expenses. We have budgeted the trip at a bare bones $10,000. We have a dream budget but we think we could get it done for that amount. Any donation you make helps!

Why aren’t you taking more time to do this?

We are obviously trying to cram a lot into 62 days. We have considered extending the journey but there has to be a sense of urgency about what we are doing. There is no better time to start imagining the future of American cities and there is no community better placed to do that than the creative community. We desperately need Creatives thinking about the future and its time to shine the spotlight on their work.

Why are you focusing on designers?

We believe creative people have the unique ability to view problems and find solutions that can change the world. This tour will demonstrate just a smidgen of what designers are capable of if given the opportunity.

The current plan is a 35-city stock taking design tour of the United States in 62 days. The tour starts on 1, July in Miami, Fl and ends on 31, August in Savannah, Ga. It’s goal is to understand where and how the creative economy is taking shape in the USA. Through interviews, studio tours, podcasts, videos and photos the website and then a book will highlight the opportunities, threats and needs of creatives who are working to change perceptions of their communities, create employment and earn a living.

By making a clear link between creative people, designers in particular, and the cities they live and work in it becomes easier to understand the city’s culture, history and future. It demonstrates to city officials the importance of investing in their creative industries, it serves as a point of pride for local populations, its a way to better understand a place for visitors and it will hopefully create momentum and more opportunity for Creatives to become entrepreneurs and change makers.

The book and website will argue that it is time to trust creative people with our future.

How do you define design?

Design is the quintessential creative industry. We believe that it is the best word that encapsulates the union of commerce, creativity and culture today. Design combines creativity, ideas, skills, innovation and strategic thinking to improve everyday life. In the exploration of America we will use the British definition of design* that encompasses the following 26 disciplines:

Advertising
Animation
Architecture
Automotive
Ceramics
Engineering
Exhibition
Fashion
Film/ SFX
Footwear
Furniture
Glassware
Graphics
Identity
Interior
Jewelry
Lighting
Millinery
New Media
Packaging
Product
Publishing
Retail
Textiles
Theatre
Typography

Why are you doing this?

We believe creative people have the unique ability to view problems and find solutions that can change the world. This tour will demonstrate just a smidgen of what designers are capable of if given the opportunity.

The current plan is a 35-city stock taking design tour of the United States in 62 days. The tour starts on 1, July in Miami, Fl and ends on 31, August in Savannah, Ga. It’s goal is to understand where and how the creative economy is taking shape in the USA. Through interviews, studio tours, podcasts, videos and photos the website and then a book will highlight the opportunities, threats and needs of creatives who are working to change perceptions of their communities, create employment and earn a living.

By making a clear link between creative people, designers in particular, and the cities they live and work in it becomes easier to understand the city’s culture, history and future. It demonstrates to city officials the importance of investing in their creative industries, it serves as a point of pride for local populations, its a way to better understand a place for visitors and it will hopefully create momentum and more opportunity for creatives to become entrepreneurs and change makers.

The book and website will argue that it is time to trust creative people with our future.