The Influence of Design on Industrial and Economic Achievement

Abstract

Introduction In many countries, including the UK, the “importance of design” is being cited with increasing frequency in the context of industrial activity and of national and international economic performance. Previously, concern about design among economists, industrialists and politicians had been dormant, since interest in the design aspects of manufactured goods reached a peak during the second half of the last century. In recent years, many governments have been preoccupied with the exploitation of technological innovation as a means of achieving marketing eminence and economic success. Similarly, much time and effort has been focused on improving manufacturing capability, restructuring working practices, protecting (or deregulating) markets, and developing new financial structures. At the level of the firm, these attitudes and approaches have been closely mirrored; it is only in the last year or two that it has become common for companies to make explicit reference to design. Phrases such as “better by design” and “design for living” give an indication of what may be a new emphasis in some companies. Whilst a few companies have paid consistent attention to design in the past — not only of the product or service, but of the environment as well — the majority have not. This is particularly marked in the UK and is closely reflected by the structures of senior management that are found in companies. Boardrooms are manned by directors of finance, marketing and operations; there is a universal absence of professional concern for the management and use of design resources.