Centre Info

Secretariat
Board
Where we are

The ICIS Centre consists of a secretariat, a board, and an advisory council.

Secretariat 

Based in Hornbaek, Denmark, the Secretariat comprises of:

Karen Blincoe Founder and Creator Established ICIS in 1991.Designer, educationalist and environmentalist, Karen Blincoe has held various executive and honorary positions nationally and internationally in the fields of design and education. She has been elected treasurer in Icograda (The International Council of Graphic Design Associations) and has been appointed visiting professor at the Faculty of Design & Architecture at University of Brighton, UK. Karen was appointed head of department for Visual Communication at Danmarks Designskole, Copenhagen in 1991; has been a member of the Arts Council; is a Fellow of the CSD; and is a member of the Association of Danish Designers. Karen established design consultancy, KB Design in 1984, and O2 UK, (environmental design) consultancy in 1989. Karen Blincoe is the Director of the Schumacher College, Dartington, UK. blincoe@iciscenter.org		Mervyn Kurlansky Co-Founder and Director Born in South Africa, Mervyn trained in London, then practiced with Knoll International and Crosby/Fletcher/Forbes before co-founding Pentagram in 1972. Mervyn has been elected President of Icograda 2003-2005. He is a prolific designer, consultant, author, lecturer, and juror. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers, the International Society of Typographic Designers, the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacture & Commerce and a member of Alliance Graphique Internationale and Danish Designers Association. Mervyn's work has been widely published, has won many international awards and is in numerous permanent collections around the world.  mervyn@kurlanskydesign.dk
Henriette Henriksen Coordinator Henriette's background is in Desktop Publishing and Layout. She has been working as such in an inhouse advertising department at Velux Roof Windows company following 2 years in a PR and advertising company. Henriette has also been working as a Freelance desktop publisher for four years. henriette@iciscenter.org		Erika Torres Luquín Project Developer/Consultant Prior to ICIS, Erika worked at The Coca-Cola Company in Mexico City for four years in areas such as marketing, key accounts and commercial finance. Her academic background is a BA in Managerial Finance, an MSc in Environmental Issues in Latin America from the University of London and a cand.tech.soc from Roskilde Universitet Center. erika@iciscenter.org

Where we are 

The ICIS Centre is located in Hornbaek, Denmark. The masterclasses are also located in this part of Zealand, Denmark. This coastal area is in close proximity to the Danish capital, Copenhagen and its airport, as well as being strategically located in the rapidly developing Øresunds Region, geographically close to Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia, the EU and the Baltic countries.

Danish Design

Denmark has long been synonymous with timeless, classic design. Since Kaare Klint asserted in the 1930's that "the form of an object follows function", Denmark has produced a long line of world-leading designers and architects. Georg Jensen, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen, Verner Panton, Henning Larsen and Nanna Ditzel are amongst the many Danish designers and architects who have pioneered the concept of modern functionalism and built a design legacy in Denmark. Scandinavian concepts of clean lines, minimalism and the use of natural materials typify contemporary Danish design, but with a light, human touch and an international sensibility. Danish design and architecture have developed through dialogue with the world, where other cultures are a source of inspiration. The ICIS Centre is a natural extension of this progressive cultural exchange and renewal; an international platform for discussion and education about creativity, innovation and sustainability, which calls on the expertise from Danish, other Scandinavian and international professionals.

Environment

The ICIS Centre is also well-placed in its location in Scandinavia - a forerunning region in Europe with regards to environmental issues. In particular, the Øresund region aims to be a pioneer in terms of environmental action. Copenhagen markets itself as "Environmental Capital of Europe", and is home to several international environmental institutions. Ecological consciousness amongst Scandinavians is high, with a good record of environmental policies. Industrial and agricultural waste is highly regulated, sewage disposal is highly efficient, recycling is popular and there is little rubbish along roadsides and in urban areas. In addition, Scandinavia has a long-standing experience in environmental education and is home to many environment and sustainability related initiatives and educational facilities. The ICIS Centre continues this progressive tradition of directional education, in a uniquely multi-disciplinary and international context.