NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2019

Innowood project evaluation

One of the most extraordinary community building projects of the Hungarian wood and furniture industry, INTERREG AT-HU 059 – the Austrian-Hungarian project of Innowood, ended on 31 October 2019.

The project involved hundreds of university students, as well as many entrepreneurs, university lecturers, in a unique innovation process after its launch in the middle of 2017. The end results are awarded wood architecture innovations, progressive furniture prototypes, international recognition, new cooperation activities, career paths and businesses.

At the time of its launch in 2017 the Innowood project mapped possibilities and conditions by carrying out foundational research using traditional innovation tools. The primary population research itself filled a gap since the last similar survey in Hungary was carried out 10 years before. Furthermore, those involved got an overall picture of global market trends due to international cooperation.

Interesting study trips made preparatory work more varied. On these trips participants gathered inspiration and information in order to produce unique and progressive ideas during the Furniture Industry Innovation Camp in May 2018.

The 5-day Innovation Camp had a very special atmosphere. Students worked at the Simonyi Károly Faculty of the University of Sopron, in the Ligneum Visitor Centre, for days and mentors from different segments of the furniture industry assisted their work. Students had the chance to listen to lectures that aimed at supporting the design and creation process. Many friendships and business relations were formed on the study trips and during workshops, the tangible results of which became obvious during the camp. Besides professionalism, students learnt about presentation techniques as well. They could test themselves in different situations, for example they had to demonstrate their ideas in front of real entrepreneurs briefly and efficiently and they had to win them over. A jury of professionals selected the 6 best works at the end of the camp. These works were made into prototypes.

Project partners used the experiences from the first camp to refine the “innovation camp model” and to create a more seamless and efficient base for the Innovation Camp about wood architecture in September 2018.

These new products were exhibited at several international and Hungarian fairs with the help of the Innowood project in 2019. All feedback was positive and the project stand attracted high level of interest. The project used these events with tens of thousands of visitors for gathering information apart from demonstrating the prototypes. Customer and professional feedback about these pieces of furniture meant great help for manufacturers and entrepreneurs in marketing and selling their products later.

Thus the innovation process of two years became complete. All parties affected were satisfied when the project came to an end in October since all commitments and concepts were overfulfilled.