Driving competitiveness in industry

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We're helping businesses seize new opportunities by exploiting design

Can design make science and innovation more competitive?

Stage: The government has pledged to implement suggestions from the Sainsbury Review of science and innovation with a £1billion fund
Addressing: Driving competitiveness in industry

Why do science and technology businesses need design?

We know the UK has a great research base for science and technology, but how can design help stop its products falling behind in the race to market against developing countries which offer cheap manufacturing?

Perspectives

Sir George Cox

Design Council Chairman

I’m delighted to see ideas developed by the Design Council being taken forward in this review. While we have a great research base in this country, we fall behind our competitors when it comes to exploiting new ideas and taking them to market. These proposals will help to transform our potential to turn ideas in to marketable products, something the UK has to do more effectively if we are to stay competitive in the global economy. If we are really to be an ‘innovation island’, we have to ally our design skills to our scientific capability.

More perspectives and the chance to contribute

Is the UK making enough use of design and creativity?

Stage: We are consulting widely across the design and business community. Have you had your say?
Addressing: Driving competitiveness in industry

What’s the issue?

The then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alistair Darling, asked the Design Council to produce a report on the take-up of design by UK industry.

This project is part of The Cox Review of Creativity in Business

IDEO's manifesto for design written on a paper napkin

Can universities bring business studies and creativity closer together?

Stage: We have been looking at international examples of best practice
Addressing: Driving competitiveness in industry, Supporting growth in the creative economy

Why is this an issue for design?

What kind of centres need to be set up to enable multidisciplinary groups of designers, scientists, anthropologists, economists and others to drive innovation?

Could your business claim R&D tax credits?

Stage: Treasury recommendations are being implemented
Addressing: Driving competitiveness in industry

Why is this an issue for design?

Design is an essential part of any good research and development (R&D) process – it helps to translate scientific knowledge into products that people can use and want to buy, and that companies can profit from.

This project is part of The Cox Review of Creativity in Business

How can we encourage creativity in smaller businesses?

Stage: We have launched a programme called Designing Demand
Addressing: Driving competitiveness in industry, Supporting growth in the creative economy

What stops small companies from being more innovative?

Smaller businesses would make greater use of creativity if they were more aware of the benefits.

This project is part of The Cox Review of Creativity in Business

Cover of the Cox Review of Creativity in Business

Do we need a national network of design centres?

Stage: A report is being prepared by the LDA and the Design Council
Addressing: Driving competitiveness in industry, Supporting growth in the creative economy

What's the issue here?

The Cox Review recommened that a network of ‘Creativity and Innovation’ centres should be set up throughout the UK with a central hub in London.

This project is part of The Cox Review of Creativity in Business