From the city of Bilbao, we are pleased to invite other UNESCO Creative Cities of Design to join DUETO, an international collaboration programme that connects designers and companies from different cities to address real business challenges through design methodologies.
What is DUETO?
DUETO is an exchange initiative designed to demonstrate the value of design as a driver of innovation, competitiveness and business transformation.
During a period of approximately 2 to 6 months, a designer from Bilbao works with a company located in another participating UNESCO City of Design to address a specific challenge through design methodologies. At the same time, a designer from that city works with a company based in Bilbao under the same framework.
This reciprocal exchange allows both companies to benefit from external perspectives and design expertise while strengthening collaboration between UNESCO Cities of Design.
The first DUETO pilot is currently being developed between Bilbao (Spain) and Detroit (USA). Following this first experience, Bilbao is now looking for new Cities of Design interested in joining future editions of the programme.
What kind of challenges can be addressed?
DUETO is suitable for companies from any sector that face challenges such as:
- Solving specific business or operational problems.
- Improving products, services or user experience (UX).
- Developing new products or services.
- Differentiating themselves in the market.
- Improving brand positioning and customer perception.
- Optimising processes or reducing costs.
- Exploring new international markets.
- Enhancing sustainability, circular economy practices or environmental performance.
Examples may include redesigning a digital platform to improve usability, developing more sustainable products, improving customer experience, redesigning recruitment processes, adapting services to new markets, or rethinking business processes through design.
The selected challenge should be relevant to the company and offer genuine opportunities for innovation through design. Ideally, it should be a challenge that the company would not normally address through design methods without the support of the programme.
How does it work?
DUETO operates through a reciprocal exchange model. Each participating city supports a local company by funding the involvement of a designer or design studio from its own city in the partner city. Each participating city is responsible for organising and funding the programme locally. This includes:
- Identifying and selecting a local company and a local designer or design studio.
- Funding the participation of its own designer or design studio.
- Ensuring fair compensation for the selected designer.
- Supporting the development of the project.
- Coordinating the collaboration with the partner city.
- Promoting communication and dissemination activities.
The collaboration is expected to be carried out primarily online, through virtual meetings and remote working methods. Physical travel is not required, although participating cities may decide to organise visits or in-person meetings if resources and circumstances allow.
The programme consists of the following phases:
- Selection of the company challenge.
- Selection of the design professional or design studio.
- Definition of the project scope and objectives.
- Agreement between the parties.
- Development of the project through regular online collaboration.
- Final report and communication of results.
Interested in joining?
Bilbao is currently looking for new UNESCO Cities of Design interested in taking part in future editions of DUETO.
Cities interested in learning more about the programme or exploring a potential collaboration are invited to contact us.
Expressions of interest are welcome at any time.
Contact:
Bilbao Ekintza UNESCO City of Design Bilbao
E-mail: cgutierrez@bilbaoekintza.bilbao.eus
bilbaocreativecity@bilbaoekintza.bilbao.eus