Why Innovation Ecosystems are Important in the Global Economy

Wednesday, May 18, 2016   6-7pm

Economic globalization has triggered unprecedented changes in the way industries, firms, and individuals cooperate and compete in today’s economy. This geographical distribution of economic activities has had a significant impact on innovation and design development. In the seminar, Professor Breznitz and Dr. Buciuni of the Innovation Policy Lab (Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto), explained why despite the global fragmentation of economic activities, innovation ecosystems remain a fundamental asset for the competitiveness of firms and industries of advanced economies. Professor Breznitz clarified the key role played by the P3s in innovation development, while Dr. Buciuni focused on how successful firms leverage innovation ecosystems to constantly deliver new products and design.

Presenters:

Professor Shiri M. Breznitz is an economic geographer specializing in innovation, technology commercialization, and regional economic development. Her research is at the critical intersection of theory and policy and how it fits into the new realities of globalization. Dr. Breznitz’s work has informed policymaking at the local, national, and international levels. She has advised on the role of universities in the larger story of innovation, on the economic impact of biotechnology, and on the role of clusters in driving innovation. In addition, Dr. Breznitz is an editor under the Economic Geography section of the Geography Compass Journal.

Giulio Buciuni, Ph.D., is a Researcher at the Munk School of Global Affairs and a Visiting Researcher at Duke University. His research interests include design innovation in global manufacturing industries, the competitiveness of industrial ecosystems in the global economy, and the internationalization strategies of entrepreneurial firms. Dr. Buciuni has been studying the global furniture industry since 2011 and has published several works on the evolution of the furniture industry in today’s economy.

Smelling Colours – International Scent Design

Thursday, May 19, 2016   9-10am

Presenters: Tracy Pepe, Chief Perfumer of Nose Knows Design

All spaces have a scent. By understanding its psychological and emotional impact, and the effect it has on shoppers’ insight, aesthetics, or brand recognition, scent design can provide the solutions intended to incorporate or enhance the scent within a space. Throughout this 60 minute, accredited seminar, Tracy introduced a new and inspiring way of perceiving spaces. Through examples from case studies and past projects, she discussed the principles of scent design, how it impacts individuals and the way they connect with a space, how colour and scent share the same vibration and how the design professionals can easily incorporate scent into their designs.

Presenter:

Tracy Pepe, is the Chief Perfumer of Nose Knows Design, an olfactive branding company. She has been designing custom sensory collateral scents exclusively for brands, company spaces and special exhibitions for more than 20 years. Some of her clients include SOFA: Source of Furniture + Accessories, PPG Architectural Finishes, Edelman, ICON, Loblaw Brands,  IBI Group Interiors, Pyramid Architects, and the GOAway! special feature exhibit at IIDEXCanada 2015. Tracy won the 2012 Smitty award for Best Sensory Marketing Campaign and the Innovative Product Award Silver from ARIDO. She also received an Oldfactory Brand Nomination in 2014 for the Toronto Trump Hotel. A perfumer, professional evaluator, consultant, author Tracy has worked alongside many architects, designers and branders.