Gearing up to create

THE RENOVATION of the former Central Post building in Bang Rak might not be ready as yet to welcome the Thailand Creative and Design Centre, but the centre has had no problem finding a home in downtown Bangkok for its new communication design library. Dubbed TCDC Commons, it opened recently at Ideo Q in the Chula-Samyan area.
Set up in collaboration with real estate company, Ananda Development, the Bt50-million library is dedicated to communication design and is the first private library to focus on design inspiration in Thailand.
Spanning 351 square metres on the third level of Ideo Q Chula-Samyan on Rama IV Road, a mere 270 metres from MRT Samyan, TCDC Commons will serve as a learning hub and co-working space for those interested in communication design and also be an inspiration point for a generation of young entrepreneurs who are looking for business opportunities. 
The venue is close to Chulalongkorn University and offers a student membership of just Bt600 per year. The general public pays Bt1,200.
“With TDCD Commons we hope to inspire people and create a social impact that will allow anyone within a 5-kilometer radius to come and take advantage of our extensive archives, books and temporary exhibitions that are available all year round. Those interested in communication design can build a community here and interact, enhancing their quality of life,” says TCDC’s managing director Apisit Laistrooglai.

The design learning centre offers knowledge and information sourced locally and internationally on multiple platforms while also offering convenience and accessibility. Plans are underway to expand to other cities in the country.
“It is very important for good ideas to become reality. The centre will have more reach next year as we spread to Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Songkhla provinces. 
“Our aim is to extend knowledge to the wider creative population – designers, entrepre-neurs, students and the general public – so that they can learn how to build and develop businesses based on creativity and design. This will help Thais and the economy to compete and grow on the global stage,” Apisit says. 
The library encompasses 21 practices including advertising, ambient media, animation, art direction, brand management, content strategy, copywriting, creative directing, editing, information architecture, information graphics, instructional design, illustration, logo and identity design, and marketing communications. 
“Economic growth that generates the country’s prosperity needs different tools in order to compete globally. The Chinese have a reputation for being hardworking while the Indians as well as the Vietnamese are known as good negotiators. Thais have to move toward establishing a creative economy – value added products with design and service,” adds Dr Narongchai Akaraseranee, president of Ananda Development.
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) defines the creative economy as, “a process of economic activities which are cultural asset-based and involved in creativity, innovation or technology to create products and services which can add value in commercialisation and society.” 
It lists 12 creative industries: film and video, advertising, architecture, software, broadcasting, publishing, design, music, visual arts, fashion, performing arts, and crafts.

The TCDC's first exhibition at its new premises is "What do you see in commons".

According to the employment statistics for the first quarter of 2016 by National Statistical Office of Thailand, the kingdom has a total of 860,654 professionals in creative industries. The largest group, 37.56 per cent, work in crafts while advertising, design, and architecture account for 24.35 per cent, 9.46 per cent, and 7.64 per cent respectively.
That figure needs to expand and for that to be achieved, socially responsible investment is required, which is why Ananda Development’s support has |been so gratefully received, Apisit adds.
Chanont Ruengkrittiya, the company’s chief executive, says: “Ananda Development does not only develop residential real estate projects, but also strives to become ‘urban living solutions’ for both our clients and society. Our collaboration with TCDC is based on the modern cosmopolitan lifestyle of ‘live, work, and play’. We look for choices for urban residents who want to spend their time efficiently.”
“The structure of our buildings is an art form, a sculpture. We provide the hardware but TCDC is the software for cultural innovation.”

>>TCDC Commons is on the third floor of Ideo Q Chula-Samyan, 788 Rama IV Road. 
>> It’s open daily except Monday from 10.30am to 9pm.
>>The first exhibition “What do you see in commons” is curated by Siam Attariya and continues through November 20.
>>Find out more by calling (02) 108 5886 or email |[email protected] . Check out the new venue at www.TCDC.or.th/tcdccommons.