ILADI (Latin American Integration of Design and Innovation) was born in response to the call from the Inter-American Development Bank to promote the growth of the Orange Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean. The ILADI firm was recently launched with the task of integrating the various entities that make up the design industry in Latin America.
Management Focus
With over fifteen years of experience in the fields of Education, Art, and Design, Franyel Zelaya and Mariú Lacayo (founders) have identified three fundamental areas in need of development in the region. ILADI responds to them with various actions:
First: Education, due to the limited academic offerings in creative careers in the region. Additionally, there are still societal taboos surrounding the choice to study one of these careers.
In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, ILADI launched an immersive educational experience that stimulates creative intellect through workshops and lectures as part of Design Week RD and the Latin American Fashion Summit (LAFS). This allowed students to explore creative career options and study programs, connecting them with the art and design industry in Latin America.
The first edition of “Santo Domingo DesignED by ILADI” involved 28 students from UNITEC Honduras, the American School of Tegucigalpa, and Harkness Institute in Puerto Vallarta and San Luis Potosí. Three accompanying teachers also participated.
The event began with a ceremony at the Museum of Modern Art in Santo Domingo, featuring opening remarks from ILADI’s founders. Additionally, an inspiring talk on “Leadership Values” was delivered by business expert and renowned executive Eva Hughes.
Workshops and guidance were provided by leading local and international design universities, including CHAVÓN School of Design, UNIBE, Istituto Europeo di Design, and IE University.
During the event, students were inspired to envision the Future Latin American City from their perspectives, taking Santo Domingo, the first city in the Americas, as their inspiration.
Partaking in three days of workshops, students were guided by specialized teachers. They created a video under the direction of Melissa Arbelaez, a Motion Media designer, and Eduardo Holguin, a Marketer and Graphic Designer, both graduates of SCAD and part of the ILADI team. They were presented as managing partners during the conference: “What Role Does Education Play in the Future of Latin American Design?” at the conclusion of Design Week RD.
Commitment
ILADI is also committed to taking action to address the needs identified in the other areas that hinder the advancement of the creative economy. This includes addressing production limitations for creatives in the region, such as the lack of production spaces, scarcity of materials, and resources, among other challenges.
Furthermore, ILADI is committed to fostering Creative Entrepreneurship Leadership by encouraging creatives to start their own ventures. By providing resources from experts and personalized guidance to help designers identify the DNA of their brand, from creation to internationalization, and placement in retail locations, this goal can be achieved.