Time for (S) Heroes: Sustainable Design Residency for Multidisciplinary Teams (Finland, Spain)
Overview
Time for (S) Heroes is a design journey that positions itself at the intersection of sustainability, digital innovation, and narrative reinterpretation. The initiative seeks proposals that challenge traditional design approaches, experiment with new mediums, and contribute to a more sustainable and immersive creative landscape. With a thematic focus on 'Sustainable Fashion, Digital Design, and interpreting Heroism', the project encourages designers, artists, and multidisciplinary teams to rethink the role of the hero in contemporary culture through material and digital practices. The opportunity is open to curious individuals at the early stage of their careers with advanced skills in fashion, costume, art installation, or other design approaches. Teams of three to five members are invited to submit new creative concepts through the Time for (S) Heroes digital portal. Up to five teams may be selected directly to proceed to the residency pathway, which takes place in Kouvola, Finland, or another location in Spain. Additionally, proposals that meet the evaluation criteria may receive an invitation to further develop their idea as part of the Design Wave Festival programme, either online or onsite in Riga in November 2026. Applicants may also choose to apply solely for the Digital Exhibition Platform. The residency offers a structured environment for research and production, with no submission fee, reflecting a commitment to accessibility and artistic risk-taking. The curatorial vision emphasizes sustainability not as a buzzword but as a critical framework for reimagining design processes and outcomes. By fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, Time for (S) Heroes aims to generate work that is both conceptually rigorous and materially responsible, addressing the urgent need for sustainable practices in fashion and beyond.