SILESIAN NETWORKING EFFECT: REFLECTIONS ON THE UNIVERSITY - BUSINESS COOPERATION

This paper is focused on the results of the networking idea in the field of widely understood design. It refers to the program which is based on interdisciplinary cooperation between industry and university, through the work of design-educated professionals who are undertaking diversified activities to transfer technology, ideas, creative thoughts and good practices. The program called "Business + Design = Profit" was based on the work of 3 professionals, lasted 14 months and as a result of it 189 contacts were initiated, and 23 examples of real cooperation. The effects of this cooperation are very much diversified: from multi-sector expert opinions through material analyses to the purchase of the exclusive license for the production and distribution of the selected product. Designers and experts have developed the best solutions for specific companies, ready to implement or already implemented. This program helped to broaden the businesses' scope of operations through cooperation with designers, as well as helped young designers to gain experience, but what is more important, it showed how to derive profits from design solutions. The presented networking program is a part Design Silesia - the project realized within the Submeasure 8.2.2 Regional Innovation Strategies of the Human Capital Operational Program.