Invitational design charettes  

I'm doing a little informal research, and hope I can impose on you-all for a quick comment or pointer.

Have you or anyone in your widespread networks had any experience with what I'm calling, for now, "invitational design charettes?"

By that, I mean a situation where someone commissions designers to develop concepts or prototypes demonstrating new uses for a material. The following looks something like what I have in mind.

DUPONT HYTREL DESIGN CHARETTE
http://plastics.dupont.com/NASApp/myplastics/MediatorGXHC_gx_session_id_=0d18e443bf73dd4e&GXHC_locale=en_US&common=5,557,4664&locale=en_US

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or cautionary tales.

Have a sterling summer,

Geo, H.

http://plastics.dupont.com/NASApp/myplastics/MediatorGXHC_gx_session_id_=0d18e443bf73dd4e&GXHC_locale=en_US&common=5,557,4664&locale=en_US