Cornwall Design Forum

Posted on 05/08/2010

Return on design investment and why everyone should measure it

Over the last fifteen years or so there has been a steadily increasing desire for design to prove its commercial value, to demonstrate to clients that their investment is tangibly worth it.

This has been driven by a number of factors: the recession of the early 1990s demanded that design stake its claim to straitened budgets; above the line advertising reaches fewer and fewer people, so companies are looking for other routes to achieve a return on marketing investment; and perhaps design is growing up as an industry – recognising itself, and being recognised by clients, as a commercial tool, not just an exercise in beautifying. Other areas of marketing communications already operate on a strictly commercial basis, so why shouldn’t design?

More clients are asking tough commercial questions of their design projects, measuring and assessing as they go. And switched on designers will talk in terms of business objectives right from the outset, maybe before the design brief is actually nailed down. But even so, measuring return on investment (ROI) is notoriously difficult. So why bother? Read the Design Council's Article to find out more

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Posted on 05/08/2010

UK Design Alliance steps up a gear

Creative & Cultural Skills and the Design Council are encouraging design sector organisations to pull together to achieve better-trained industry. The UK Design Alliance, a partnership set up to achieve this aim, is stepping up a gear this week, as David Worthington takes on the role of Chair, and Julian Grice, CEO of The Team, joins David as Vice Chair.

David Worthington stated:

'Now more than ever, the UK design and design education industry needs the Good Design Practice campaign. We need to elevate the value of design in schools, we need to create stronger, mutually beneficial relationships with universities and, above all, we need to ensure that our world-class design industry goes from strength to strength. The Alliance partners are here to drive that campaign.'

Caroline Felton, Chief Executive, Creative & Cultural Skills, said

'We are actively developing this partnership to ensure that the design workforce is supported. The work of the Design Alliance across the UK is a central part of our plans for the future, ensuring that education is meeting the needs of industry and that the sector is equipped to meet its potential for growth in the future.'

Several new high profile figures from the world of Design have also recently joined the Alliance Advisory Board. These include Joe Ferry, Head of Design at Virgin Atlantic, Mat Hunter formerly from IDEO and now Chief Design Officer of the Design Council, and Stuart McDonald, formerly head of The Lighthouse in Scotland.

Commenting on his recent commitment, Joe Ferry said

'I am delighted to be involved with the Alliance at a key moment in the evolution of the UK design industry. Being part of the drive to help us stay ahead of the game and become better connected is an exciting challenge.'

The UK Design Alliance’s programme of work includes promoting the Good Design Practice campaign across the UK; working with new partners across the English regions, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales; and increasing the information, tools, resources, events and training opportunities available to the industry. The Alliance will host a key event at the London Design Festival on Tuesday 21st September.

Lesley Morris, Director of the UK Design Alliance and Head of Design Skills at the Design Council said:

'All the work to develop the UK Design Alliance over the last few years is now coming to fruition. There are more design organisations and bodies joining the network and we hope that more designers will be involved by joining these national and regional organisations. This is all about collaboration – with the industry working together to achieve results that are far greater than the sum of the parts.

For more information on this press release please contact Catherine Large, Director, External Relations Catherine.Large@ccskills.org.uk
 

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Posted on 02/08/2010

UKTI Announces Design Missions to Asia

JAPAN 26 - 30 October 2010

This will be the seventh year of Design UK in Japan, a series of high profile events to showcase the best of British design. Design UK is organised by the British Embassy in Tokyo and UKTI. The mission is timed to coincide with Tokyo Designers Week and 100% Design Tokyo.

 · Product design

· Branding consultancy

· Digital design

· Commercial interiors

· Design-led lifestyle products

What assistance will UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) provide?

 For the participation fee of £500, companies joining the Japan mission will receive the following benefits:

 · Mission briefing at the British Embassy

· B2B Workshop: Meetings with invited Japanese design and industry contacts at the Ambassador’s Residence

· Showcase event at the Ambassador’s Residence

· Design UK Mission Reception

· Optional guided retail tour of Tokyo

· Free entry to Tokyo Designers Week’s main exhibition

 There may be an opportunity to take part in other networking events during Tokyo Designers Week. Information on these events will be provided in due course.

 During the mission, on request UKTI Japan can provide additional services such as extra B2B meetings and accompanying to prearranged meetings. These services should be commissioned via a separate Overseas Market Introduction Service order.

 KOREA 07 – 11 December 2010

This mission is timed to coincide with Design Korea 2010, at which UKTI will have a stand with meeting facilities. There are growing opportunities for international collaborations as a result of Seoul City’s designation as the World Design Capital 2010.

· Public design, architecture, landscaping, industrial design, interiors, graphic design

· Product Design and Brand/Product Identity

· Design Consulting and Design Strategy

What assistance will UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) provide?

For the participation fee of £500, companies joining the Korea mission will receive the following benefits:

· Use of UKTI Stand at Design Korea to display brochures and to hold meetings (Companies will have to cover all costs of shipping/freighting promotional material to the Embassy).

· Arrangement of 3 individual appointments to targeted companies.

· Participation in a UK Design Seminar to speak about your company’s excellent capabilities.

· Attendance at a Networking Reception

· Free inclusion in UKTI publicity for the mission - UKTI will publish a mission brochure, issue a press release and seek to organise interviews with local media.

During the mission, on request UKTI Seoul can provide additional services such as extra B2B meetings and accompanying to prearranged meetings. These services should be commissioned via a separate Overseas Market Introduction Service order

 TAIWAN13 – 17 December 2010

The annual Taiwan Design Expo now in its 7th year will be held in Taichung City in central Taiwan, the designated site of Taichung Cultural & Creative Industries Park. The theme of this year’s Expo is "Essence", exploring the intrinsic values of design.

· Product design

· Branding consultancy

· Architecture and commercial interiors

· and tourism design

 What assistance will UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) provide?Museums, exhibitions

For the participation fee of £500, companies joining the Taiwan mission will receive the following benefits:

· Mission briefing at the British Trade & Cultural Office

· Arrangement of 3 individual appointments to targeted companies.

· Attendance at a Networking Reception

· Participation in a UK Design Seminar to speak about your company’s excellent capabilities.

· Accompanied visit to the Taiwan Design Expo

· Free inclusion in UKTI publicity for the mission - UKTI will publish a mission brochure, issue a press release and seek to organise interviews with local media.

During the mission, on request UKTI Taiwan can provide additional services such as extra B2B meetings and accompanying to prearranged meetings. These services should be commissioned via a separate Overseas Market Introduction Service order.

INDIA13 – 17 December 2010

The mission is timed to coincide with the CII-NID Design Summit, an annual business conference for the design community (especially those from industrial product design, brand design and design education and training segments) and is in its 10th year. This year also coincides with the 50th year of the founding of India's premier design institute (NID). The Indian Design industry in India is growing substantially and there are clear trends that consumers, industrial end-users and governments are investing and spending increasing amounts for design services and designer products.

 · Product Design

· Architecture

· Interior Design

· Retail Design

· Branding Consultancy

· Advertising Consultancy

What assistance will UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) provide?

For the participation fee of £500, companies joining the India mission will receive the following benefits:

· Background briefing meeting on India

· Accompanied visit to the CII Design Summit

· 3 individual business meetings    

· Networking Reception with business contacts invited by the Embassy

· Further networking opportunities in 3 design clusters in Pune, Ahmedabad and Bangalore

· Inclusion in publicity for the mission

 During the mission, on request UKTI India can provide additional services such as extra B2B meetings and accompanying to prearranged meetings. These services should be commissioned via a separate Overseas Market Introduction Service order.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

Delegates will be responsible for their own travel arrangements, accommodation, subsistence and any conference registration fees. Hotels can be block booked at preferential British Embassy rates.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

To register your interest in joining any of these missions please email BOTH gwen.green@ukti.gsi.gov.ukand deborah.jones@ukti.gsi.gov.uk

For any enquiries/advice please contact the Creative Services Team in UK Trade & Investment

on telephone: 020 7215 8327 or 020 7215 8033.

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