Strategic Use of Design
Published on 09 March 2018
Denmark
Syddanmark
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Clusterix 2.0 has selected Strategic use of Design as an example of Good practice to develop new models of innovation for Strategic Cluster Partnerships and thereby contribute to cluster development.
Many Danish companies have chosen to use strategic design as their key method to involve users in development of products and solutions to become more competitive. To promote this process, the cluster Design2innovate (D2I) was established in 2010 as a membership-based design cluster to support companies by using design strategically to optimise and improve production, products, strategy and processes.
Since 2010 D2I has introduced design and design methods to 547 companies (1,500 employees and managers). D2I has conducted consultations in design, design vouchers, short seminars and workshops on design methods. Next step is that the region funds an initiative by which D2I canvas companies to involve them in designdriven innovation and make D2I more financially sustainable. Strategic use of design can be applied on other clusters and be a method to promote cross-cluster collaboration.
Many Danish companies have chosen to use strategic design as their key method to involve users in development of products and solutions to become more competitive. To promote this process, the cluster Design2innovate (D2I) was established in 2010 as a membership-based design cluster to support companies by using design strategically to optimise and improve production, products, strategy and processes.
Since 2010 D2I has introduced design and design methods to 547 companies (1,500 employees and managers). D2I has conducted consultations in design, design vouchers, short seminars and workshops on design methods. Next step is that the region funds an initiative by which D2I canvas companies to involve them in designdriven innovation and make D2I more financially sustainable. Strategic use of design can be applied on other clusters and be a method to promote cross-cluster collaboration.
Expert opinion
This is an interesting example of a cluster working to support companies in implementing new tools and methodologies in their innovation and business development processes. For a region, cluster organisation or enterprise interested in promoting strategic design methods, this practice should offer both inspiration and insights. The interest among participants and the longevity of the practice speaks to its relevance. The scalability strengthens the potential for transfer, it is possible to start out with a smaller group of companies. For the individual company, successful implementation of strategic design methods likely requires commitment of time and human resources.
Works at
WSP
Resources needed
The cluster Design2innovate has received around 13 mio. EUR to develop a number of initatives to involve and train companies in design driven innovation. The resources can be scaled up and down, by including more or less enterprises according to the budget.
Evidence of success
Since 2010, a total of 574 companies and 1609 individuals have taken part in D2I’s activities. Over a three-year period, the number of companies in the region working with design has grown by 25%. External consultant evaluated activities and concluded that the activities are of high quality, that 72% after the first course for enterprises are expecting increased turnover and 42% after the second course.
Potential for learning or transfer
Companies using design strategically perform better than others. This is the reason for suggesting the GP as a new model of innovation. The method can be taken up by staff in cluster organisations or by enterprises themselves. The initiative can be embedded in a creative industry cluster ecosystem or in any other cluster. The GP has also served as a tool for developing the overall creative industry ecosystem.
The good practice can be of potential interest for public authorities themselves, as the method can be used to involve for example patients or users of public services in development of new or different services.
Policy makers can transfer and adapt this good practice themselves to involve user groups or to train key actors in their Regional Innovation Systems.
The good practice can be of potential interest for public authorities themselves, as the method can be used to involve for example patients or users of public services in development of new or different services.
Policy makers can transfer and adapt this good practice themselves to involve user groups or to train key actors in their Regional Innovation Systems.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Growth Forum Syddanmark
Denmark
Syddanmark