It's a week when exciting new dimensions will unfold in the field of design. AOD Design Week 2008 (August 3 to 10) is the inaugural launch of an annual event to be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Hosted by The Academy of Design (AOD), it strives to bring design to the forefront of the expanding world of art and design in Sri Lanka.

Design Week aims to highlight the important contribution which good design makes to the cultural and economic life of Sri Lanka through fostering a reputation for creative excellence and innovation. By concentrating a large number of design events over one week, the aim is to focus attention on a selection of design activity through Sri Lanka and highlight the work of young designers.

Design Week aims to promote the creative industries and encourage their growth as a means of wealth generation and economic contribution. It will promote design in Sri Lanka as a serious educational discipline and a dynamic profession.

The Week is organised and presented by the Academy of Design (AOD), the first fully integrated design school in Sri Lanka, offering internationally recognized undergraduate qualifications in Fashion, Interior, Graphic, Multimedia and Jewellery Design. Begun in 2000, the school offers an education that would meet the demand created in the area of Design. Currently AOD has over 200 fulltime students and come 2009, will offer a full four-year, internationally recognized Bachelor's Degree programme.

The exciting schedule of 26 events for Design Week will see conferences, introductory and advanced technical workshops, open exhibitions, and forums focused on contemporary topics in the design industry all taking place. The workshops, exhibitions etc will touch on multiple areas and disciplines of design, and will be targeted at both professionals and non-professionals. The focus will be a range of creative design issues in Fashion and Textile Design, Interior and Exhibition Design, Graphic Design, and Introductory Fine Arts Workshops. In addition, there will be special themed conferences focused on important areas such as Ethical fashion, Green Design, and inter-disciplinary issues such as Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture.

AOD Design Week will work in partnership with the British Council, Alliance Francaise, Goethe Institut and Barefoot Gallery.

For more details check the website: www.aoddesignweek.lk or email: designweek@aod.lk