Wattens | Swarovski
Placemaking
Wattens | Swarovski Placemaking
The Challenge
Wattens, a small town at the heart of Tyrol, Austria was long only known for its industrial heritage as the birth place of global crystal brand Swarovski. It wanted to raise its profile and create a unique positioning and identity with the goal of attracting a more international audience. We infused the community with energy by setting a clear vision for its development.
The Task
As part of a collaborative project with branding agency Winkcreative, I created a vision and roadmap to attract new audiences while establishing the town as progressive hub for new startups and the "creative class”. The process included many days spent in the Austrian alps to interview and workshop with local stakeholders and resulted in a placemaking and brand strategy and many experience ideas, to bring the new positioning to life.
Image credit: Winkreative
The Outcome
We managed to align local stakeholders, the Tyrol tourism board and local community leaders by working collaboratively in order to create a strategy which is future facing and inclusive of the local nuances turning Wattens into a desirable destination. Together we laid the ground work to turn a small town overshadowed by its industrial past into an open and creative community fuelled by entrepreneurial spirit.