MEDS Gallery

WHAT IS MEDS GALLERY

The aim of MEDS gallery is to represent MEDSnetwork and it‘s people.
This means explaining MEDS with all it‘s workshops and initiatives to people all over the world at different exhibitions and other galleries. At the same time we try to find motivated people of the network to exhibit their projects from university, competitions, workshops and work. An other possibility is to do a project, small workshop, a pavillion, an installation, a talk or a performance live at the exhibition itself. All that to show who are the talented people who are a part of MEDS.
MEDS gallery is an initiative which started in 2018. The first edition took place as MEDS exhibition in Milan ( Italy) during the Milano Design Week 2018. It was followed by Minsk Design Week 2019 and a charity exhibition in Zagreb 2019 which was held after MEDS travel croatia 2019.

REVIEW OF THE PAST MEDSGALLERIES

FAZIT MEDSGALLERY @ MILANO DESIGN WEEK 2018

SHORT BRIEF

LOCATION
Isola Design District (courtyard near the Bosco verticale)

COMMUNICATION
external by Isola DD, internal between MEDS and DSGN

ORGANIZATION
MONEY – crowdfunding and project fees
BEFORE – organizing exhibition space, accommodation advices, project call, volunteer call
DURING – volunteer schedule/shift, accommondation,…

SPECIFIC BRIEF

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

LOCATION
ISOLA DESIGN DISTRICT
2nd edition for Isola Design District, too expensive for what has been offered: 2000€ for the exhibition space and 300€ for “communication” which consisted only in a position on the map and a wrong link on the website, not mentioned at press conference.

COURTYARD
main gate wasn’t allowed to be open because of internal problems with users of the courtyard and surrounding houses.

OVERALL
Good, we made it.

ADVICE
Change location.

PREVIOUS YEAR?
Do it again! Maybe different location especially for students which means at the Politecnico di Milano or “Futura Ventura” (other design district)

MEDSgallery TEAM

LOCATION
ISOLA DESIGN DISTRICT
Good location near to Vertical Gardens, but not the best location for MEDS purposes (we are not selling design but promoting an organisation and its people).

COURTYARD
Too expensive for what was offered. All the time they were changing prices and possible locations for us. A complete nightmare if you want to organise things in the correct way.

COMMUNICATION
ISOLA DESIGN DISTRICT
Not the expected. We choose a basic package, they just gave us the name on map and a flag. We were expecting at least a divulgation on social media or press release ours on the website.

MEDS, DSGN AND VOLUNTEERS
Between organisers it worked really well after and during the exhibition. Between MEDS, DSGN and volunteers it didn’t run so well. Some volunteers just didn’t go to the days to help or didn’t know what to talk to people visiting the space. It was so hard to find an accommodation for everybody to keep staying together so that it could help everybody to stay in the same vibe of MEDS volunteering.

NOTES
FIND A SPONSOR FOR ACCOMMODATION. It’s really hard to deal with people that change their mind all the time. So, deciding an accommodation before the exhibition with serious people and making a contract can prevent to people change mind and charge more in the accommodation each time that you talk to them.
Also, the COMMUNICATION externally between DSGN/MEDS and the public was not as good. We need to print more flyers with information on it (website, Instagram, facebook,…).

ORGANIZATION
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY (CROWDFUNDING, PROJECT FEE)
Crowdfunding was the best choice… How we needed money to pay the space, it was impossible to find a sponsor. They just want to give materials. So just projects fee couldn't pay the materials and printings for the exhibition. CROWDFUNDING WAS THE BEST SOLUTION and something that we can keep for next year maybe.

BEFORE (PROJECT CALL, VOLUNTEER CALL)
It’s always hard, people just applying last minute and asking one by one to apply. Just volunteer call that we had more volunteers that we needed (more than 45 applications).

DURING (VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE/SHIFT AND ACCOMMODATION)
Volunteers did not always arrive on time, did not know what to say etc. The volunteers should probably try to be HOUSED IN THE SAME PLACE and pre-booked well in advance, and have a VOLUNTEER CAMP just where they are simply provided with all the info they need and just how to approach people with the relevant info (such as emphasis on the workshops and the amazing projects already realized). DSGN approves to this.

ACHIEVED RESULTS/GOALS
We made it. Just the fact that MEDS was part of Milan design week is a big goal that we achieved.

OVERALL
A lot of good points and some points to improve for next years. First we need to FIND A TERM that can help until the end, not just in 2 weeks and then disappear. This was something that could help in do better things as a team. DSGN gave a huge support on everything <3 In general, it was a good start.

PREVIOUS YEAR?
Do it again! Maybe different location especially for students which means at the Politecnico di Milano or “Futura Ventura” (other design district)

HOW
Thinking about an INSTALLATION. It was pointless to show the products of people in a certain way. We should FOCUS IN PROMOTING MEDS and maybe a HANDBOOK WITH DESIGNERS BEHIND MEDS. The best exhibitions top of mind are always installations. So, we should focus on that and people will be curious to know about the people behind the exhibition and then: give them a handbook and a digital platform to show Meds.

DSGN TEAM

LOCATION
ISOLA DESIGN DISTRICT
The area in general was very nice- great location via metro and to the Vertical Gardens. But the exhibits themselves were either existing shops in the district or were selling things. It would be better to have a different location if it is attempted again.

COURTYARD
was too expensive for what was offered, especially having to deal with slightly stubborn residents above (in terms of ability to use the space to the full, and the main gate being closed 50% of the day).

COMMUNICATION
ISOLA DESIGN DISTRICT
In terms of Isola DD communication who MEDS and DSGN are- For what was paid, it was very poor. Hardly any info online or in the booklet.

MEDS, DSGN AND VOLUNTEERS
Communications internally between DSGN and MEDS was very good.
Before Milan Design Week: almost constant communication about spaces, designs, layouts, materials, volunteer lists, accommodation etc. During Milan Design Week: good communication during the days.
Communications externally between DSGN/MEDS and public was not as good.
There was no set information to tell the public provided by either side for volunteers to know beforehand, and communicating how to reach websites or look up info was also poor (both on media and verbally)

ORGANIZATION
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY (CROWDFUNDING, PROJECT FEE)
For DSGN we needed more support, but we had some promising starts- ¼ of our space costs and ¼ of our material costs were paid for by competition fees, and we had interest for sponsorship that eventually fell through. Crowdfunding seemed to work well for MEDS.

BEFORE (PROJECT CALL, VOLUNTEER CALL)
Unsure as it was MEDS related.

DURING (VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE/SHIFT AND ACCOMMODATION)
Volunteers did not always arrive on time, did not know what to say etc. The volunteers should probably try to be housed in the same place pre-booked well in advance, and have a “VOLUNTEER CAMP” just where they are simply provided with all the info they need and just how to approach people with the relevant info (such as emphasis on the workshops and the amazing projects already realised).

ACHIEVED RESULTS/GOALS
Having a presence at Milan Design Week is a big plus. Having the chance to also confirm what was promised (especially DSGN End of exhibiting competition winners and collaborators in Bali at Milan). A few contacts with interest but as yet, nothing concrete. Overall, GREAT POTENTIAL BUT NOT REALIZED DUE TO LOCATION AND INVESTMENT.

OVERALL
Was a good first exhibit but needs to be PLANNED A LOT MORE IN THE FUTURE for a DISTRICT WITH MORE STUDENT ORIENTATION and a BETTER PLANNED EXHIBITION/VOLUNTEER ORGANISATION - to make the costs worthwhile in terms of return.

PREVIOUS YEAR?
Yes, if the above issues of location and design can be overcome.

HOW
Working early on to collaborate with either a) an existing district in Milan, or b) any contacts we made through exhibiting who may want to share space in upcoming years. Perhaps we can APPROACH UNIVERSITIES ABOUT EXHIBITING ALONGSIDE THEM (especially German unis who accept credits to students who attend MEDS, as it is already a connection to their education). Other organisations, perhaps current collaborators or previous sponsors, who would either a) benefit themselves from being at Milan Design Week, or b) benefit to be associated with a student enterprise, who could fund or share space with us.
Emphasis first on location, and who we are sharing a space or building with. Then on the funding issues (crowdfunding but more targeting sponsor funding based on the space we occupy). Then on FORMING A STRONG EXHIBITION that we know will target the right audience (primarily tactile, showcasing workshops as top priority, physical examples of work, and clearer visuals on who we are, what we do, and how to get involved.)