Design Wales

Design Wales are currently running a knowledge transfer programme with the combined objectives of raising awareness and use of service design in the advanced manufacturing sector whilst building capacity for service design in the Welsh design sector. Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government this project will run until May 2013.
Launched in 1994, Design Wales is an established brand for the delivery of business support, knowledge transfer and network programmes within the private and public sectors of Wales. More recently the IIDPS was established to develop our work outside of Wales.

The four primary activities of Design Wales / IIDPS are:

Support services delivered directly to business.
Delivered on behalf of regional economic development offices and independent business organisations these workshops, training courses and events support industry in understanding and managing design issues such as branding, new product development and service innovation.
 

Design policy advice & guidance for regional economic development offices.
To help regional economic development offices understand the role of design, develop their own regional policy & support programmes and train local business support staff.

Design networks in the UK and Europe
Design Wales already leads a network of 11 European design organisations and regional policy makers and established the UK design support network in 2007. The insight gained from engagement with this broad network of partners provides invaluable knowledge of the current level of regional engagement and best practice delivery. (visit www.seeproject.org).

Design Policy Research.
Design Wales undertakes research to understand the role of design support and promotion in economic development at a policy level and to further highlight best practice in support programmes. Design Wales have hosted a bi-annual  International Workshop on Design Support (IWDS) since 2002 each time attracting up to 100 delegates from around the World.

www.designwales.org
www.designwales.blogspot.com

Design Wales is part of the International Institute of Design Policy & Support (IIDPS) that is based within the National Centre for Product Design & Development Research at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC).


Further information:
The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR)

PDR is a design and innovation research institution set up by UWIC in 1994. Since then we have developed a world-wide reputation based on our ability to develop new knowledge in product design and development, and to apply and transfer such knowledge within both academia and industry. The latest developments within the building include a state of the art user-centric design laboratory.
PDR describes its research operations through three interlinked and complementary themes:
Design and Innovation Management
Technology-led Design
User-led Design

In addition to Design Wales / IIDPS the knowledge transfer and research groups within PDR include;

Programme for Advanced Interactive Prototyping Research (PAIPR).
EcoDesign Centre.
Medical Applications Group.


www.uwic.ac.uk/pdr