Design is applied creativity. It is a creative industry in its own right as being integral to other sectors like engineering, fast moving consumer goods, and heavy manufacturing. Gordon Brown's Budget 2005 Report endorsed the potential of creativity and "innovative design ideas" boosting the competitiveness of companies in the face of international competition.
On September 30, 2005, aimhi and Horizon Scotland presented 'Design in Industry', a workshop that looked at the role that design could potentially play in the more traditional and mature industries of the Highlands & Islands. The two dozen participants of the workshop produced the following proposals that will be further developed for a follow-up session in early 2006.
1. The healthcare, forestry, renewable energies and forestry industries in the Highlands & Islands is undergoing a period of dynamic change, and there is an opportunity to insert a more significant design element during this transitional phase. One way to do this could be to include a design awareness segment/seminar as part of the programs of the respective industry conferences/gatherings in the future.
2. Small businesses should be made more aware of design issues early in the start up phase. Simple but effective design understanding in what goes into the shaping of a corporate identity, logo, brochures, etc, could be done through the Business Advisors in the LECs. The LECs can also explore the possibility of having Design Advisors much like the current supply partnership scheme for Marketing Advisors.
3. Designer-Client partnership model from the product-design sector should be investigated for possible transferability to the other design sectors. It is not unusual for product designers to generate their revenue via royalties (from work done for successful clients) rather than the usual upfront fees
4. Successful design case studies can be found from the Design Effectiveness Awards and disseminated
5. Design should play a more significant role in Highlands & Islands architecture. One way to do that could be to celebrate good examples.
6. The example of larger companies providing freelance designers free/discounted workspace in exchange for prioritised design services can be further explored. Even though designers have been slow to pick up on the offer, it was a great idea worth looking at.
7. There should be a networking event for designers
8. Possible synergisation of advocacy and professional development program with the design festival taking place in Inverness in 2007.
