Design Council and Technology Strategy Board Partnership

Design Council and Technology Strategy Board Partnership

The Design Council and the Technology Strategy Board have announced a new partnership that will see the two organisations working closely together on joint projects to strengthen design's role at the heart of science and technological innovation.

The partnership aims to:
- generate innovative solutions to social challenges through new collaborations between designers and technologists
- stimulate private sector innovation through public procurement
- support SMEs in the technology sector with design advice
- use design to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative technologies emerging from university research
- raise awareness of the role of design and technology in finding solutions to global environmental challenges

"By placing design at the heart of technological innovation we will multiply the opportunities to deliver a range of shared objectives, including the chance to help UK business focus on technological innovation now so that we are ready to emerge from the current downturn in a stronger position," said Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board. "We have great confidence that our collective success will help support the UK economy's recovery over coming years."

"To solve the big economic, environmental and social challenges, which the UK now faces, requires ingenuity," added David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council. "Britain has always excelled in creativity, design and technology, but for too long they have worked separately. Now is the time to harness this natural partnership to unlock world-beating innovation.

This will mean more opportunities for designers to be involved with major technology projects, and showcase the huge benefits which design can bring to technology-driven companies. That's got to be good for both the design and technology sectors and good for UK innovation and competitiveness."

The first major project under the new partnership will be launched next month and is linked to the Home Office Designing Out Crime initiative run by the Design Council.

The Design Council

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