Productive innovation: in Misiones, academia and the State come together to promote the participation of logging companies in the Argentine Good Design Seal

The conference brought together students, design professionals, entrepreneurs and the interested public in a space for exchange that sought to make visible the value of design as a driver of innovation, competitiveness and generation of added value in the industry. Design as a business strategy During the meeting, local experiences were shared that show how design applied to production can become a key tool to strengthen brand identity, improve the quality of products and expand commercial opportunities. The talk also included the participation of Sebastián Feinsilber, coordinator of the program and the National Design Plan, who provided details about the scope of the call, the evaluation criteria and the application process to access this national recognition. From the Ministry of Industry they highlighted that the initiative represents a strategic opportunity for Misiones companies to position their products at the national level, incorporate innovation and consolidate their productive identity. Tabita Giménez, coordinator of the Furniture and Wood Chain of the Ministry of Industry of Misiones, spoke, and explained that the activity organized in conjunction with the academic and business field, is part of a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening the incorporation of design in the industry. These types of meetings are a contribution to the awareness and maturation process that the industries in the sector are going through regarding the incorporation of design and the strategic role it plays to generate differential, add value and improve competitiveness in the marketing of their products, she noted. The professional indicated that the area annually promotes an agenda of activities linked to design and innovation, especially within the framework of Industry Week, which includes training, talks and spaces for exchange with professionals in the sector. In addition, it is accompanied by the presence of furniture fairs, business rounds, and financial assistance. We still see that a large part of the demand from timber SMEs is focused mainly on marketing. That is why we seek to accompany the sawmill industrialist in each transformation process or difficulty that arises, to gradually advance towards greater industrial maturity, he explained. In this sense, he highlighted the work that is developed together with the Mission Design program through which we seek to accompany companies in different stages of their productive evolution. With Misiones Diseña we address all the stages of development of the company, until the industry can specialize in pieces and parts or begin to differentiate itself with its own products. Our role is to provide information, provide technical assistance and maintain a support system so that companies can also train specialized furniture operators,” he stated. Finally, Giménez announced that this year a new academic proposal will be launched aimed at strengthening training in the sector. This year we are going to launch the Diploma in Furniture Design and Creation at the Faculty of Art and Design of Oberá, an initiative that aims to train, educate and train industrialists, designers and professionals linked to the sector, with an eye toward the development of furniture and in prioritizing from Misiones a productive vision based on adding value, he concluded. In that sense, they invited companies, entrepreneurs and design professionals to apply for the 14th edition of the program and take advantage of this platform that recognizes those who are committed to design for the growth of the industry. Interested companies can obtain more information about the call and the registration process through the official channels of the program or by contacting the email pnd@produccion.gob.ar, as well as on the official networks of the Argentine Good Design Seal.