Design Wales
Encyclopedia
Design Wales is an organisation based at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
, which over the years has raised the profile and increased the use of design
within the Wales’ economy. This to a great extent has been achieved by providing one to one design advise directly to Welsh companies and organisations. Understanding the importance of integrating design into long-term business strategies has proved to have been instrumental in the sustainability of many companies throughout Wales.
It was launched in December 1994 by the Secretary of State for Wales
, John Redwood
, as the Welsh Design Advisory Service. In the April 2000 it was renamed Design Wales. Over the last few years Design Wales has also initiated several design programmes for companies based in Wales, these have included 'Understanding computer-aided design
', 'Design In The Food Sector' and 'Brand Essentials'.
Operating as Design Wales for all activities taking place in Wales, the IIDPS now extend their activities to an international stage through training, research and networks.
, and the University of Manchester
(ESRC Centre for Research on Innovation and Competition - CRIC).
. Although Design Wales' main objective is to work with industry, it also has a remit to support and encourage design within education; to this end the "Ffres Awards" have been initiated.
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
Cardiff Metropolitan University is a university situated in Cardiff. It operates from three campuses: Llandaff on Western Avenue, Cyncoed, and Howard Gardens in the City Centre. The university serves over 12,000 students...
, which over the years has raised the profile and increased the use of design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
within the Wales’ economy. This to a great extent has been achieved by providing one to one design advise directly to Welsh companies and organisations. Understanding the importance of integrating design into long-term business strategies has proved to have been instrumental in the sustainability of many companies throughout Wales.
It was launched in December 1994 by the Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for Wales
The Secretary of State for Wales is the head of the Wales Office within the British cabinet. He or she is responsible for ensuring Welsh interests are taken into account by the government, representing the government within Wales and overseeing the passing of legislation which is only for Wales...
, John Redwood
John Redwood
John Alan Redwood is a British Conservative Party politician and Member of Parliament for Wokingham. He was formerly Secretary of State for Wales in Prime Minister John Major's Cabinet and was an unsuccessful challenger for the leadership of the Conservative Party in 1995...
, as the Welsh Design Advisory Service. In the April 2000 it was renamed Design Wales. Over the last few years Design Wales has also initiated several design programmes for companies based in Wales, these have included 'Understanding computer-aided design
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
', 'Design In The Food Sector' and 'Brand Essentials'.
International Institute of Design Policy & Support
In March 2010 Design Wales became part of the newly formed International Institute of Design Policy & Support (IIDPS), based within the National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR) - the design and engineering research centre based at UWIC.Operating as Design Wales for all activities taking place in Wales, the IIDPS now extend their activities to an international stage through training, research and networks.
SEEdesign
Between 2005 and 2007, Design Wales co-ordinated the EU-funded programme "SEEdesign"–Sharing Experience on Design Support for SMEs. Other partners were Design Flanders, The Design Centre of the Czech Republic, Design Centre Rhone-Alps, Experimental Centre for Furniture and Furnishing (Italy), Danish Design CentreDanish Design Centre
Danish Design Centre is a museum in Copenhagen. It is housed in a new building designed by Henning Larsen in the very centre of the city....
, and the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
(ESRC Centre for Research on Innovation and Competition - CRIC).
SEEProject
Between September 2008 and June 2011 Design Wales are coordinating the EU-funded (INTERREG) programme SEEProject. Leading eleven design organisations from across Europe the SEEProject seeks to understand and develop the role of design in realising regional and national innovation policy.Cardiff Design Festival and Ffres Awards
Design Wales has always been closely associated with and supporter of the Cardiff Design FestivalCardiff Design Festival
Cardiff Design Festival is an annual event organised by the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff in partnership with a number of Cardiff organisations, which since its inception has included Design Wales, an organisation which has a pan Wales remit for supporting and encouraging the use of...
. Although Design Wales' main objective is to work with industry, it also has a remit to support and encourage design within education; to this end the "Ffres Awards" have been initiated.