UK Design Council launches Design Factfinder to demonstrate the value of design for business
The UK Design Council yesterday launched Design Factfinder, a unique online information tool designed to help business advisors, design businesses and educators demonstrate the value of design to potential clients and students.
The site contains extensive evidence — in the forms of facts, regional and sector reports and case studies — comprehensively proving the importance and value of businesses using design. The evidence comes from the Design Council’s National Survey of Firms 2005, and complements other initiatives and resources, such as the Cox Report and DTI Competitiveness studies.
In the launching press release, the Design Council claims that almost half of all UK businesses are heading for long-term decline by failing to invest in design.
The figures are based on a UK study of 1,500 companies of all sizes and sectors. Within this, one group of businesses which saw the positive impact of design across their operations was singled out. Among these companies, every £100 of design investment saw a return of £225.
Yet 45% of all UK companies are failing to invest in design at all and only 16 per cent believe it is crucial to success.
The Design Council is now warning that businesses which don’t recognise the value of design are leaving themselves increasingly vulnerable in today’s competitive global business environment.
