The CLOSEUP show presented ten years of European design projects by the Helen Hamlyn Research Associates at the RCA (1999-2009), as part of the College's contribution to the London Design Festival 2009.
Curated by the Helen Hamlyn Centre, CLOSEUP was supported by the European Commission Representation in the UK to mark the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.
Exhibits, including furniture, products, communications and films, explored design for ageing, inclusive design, workplace design and design for patient safety.
The exhibition showcased the latest batch of Research Associate projects as well as taking a look at the influence of the Hamlyn Research Associates programme, which matches new College design graduates with external partners, over the past decade.
Projects involving graduates and companies from Holland, Poland, Sweden, Italy, France, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Belgium and the UK featured in CLOSEUP.
The Helen Hamlyn Centre acknowledges additional support from the Embassies of Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, the Austrian Cultural Forum, Italian Cultural Institute, Polish Cultural Institute and the Finnish Institute in London.
According to Jeremy Myerson, Director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre, "The CLOSEUP exhibition shows how partnerships between new RCA graduates from all over Europe and progressive European manufacturers can create new design ideas to improve quality of life. We are very grateful for the support of the European Commission Representation in the UK and the many European embassies in London."
CLOSEUP ran from 25 September to 6 October 2009 at the Royal College of Art, London.
Contact the Helen Hamlyn Centre for more information.
