Designing Demand

Coverage: Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Pennine Lancashire, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire, Wyre,

Finance Type: Mentoring, Training and Development,

The Design Council is running a national business development mentoring service to SME manufacturers to unlock growth through design.

The Design Council has an established team of Design Associates, a national network of design management specialists, whose own professional experience is across businesses of all sizes including some of the most recognised brands and businesses in the UK and internationally. It is the Design Associates, once assigned to a business, that provide the hands-on support and mentoring.

Using the Design Council’s unique design opportunities framework they begin by leading the senior team through an intensive workshop to identify the company’s biggest challenges, exploring how design can help overcome them. Here the link between business planning and effective, change-making design projects is made.

The mentoring also supports the team to identify the right design project to implement the approach that has been developed. The Design Associates do not undertake the design project. They will provide guidance to develop a robust brief, procure the right design agency and ensure that the right projects get to market.

The Design Council is looking for manufacturing businesses with ambition to grow but who recognise the need for some external, objective advice and support to help achieve that. Manufacturing businesses from all sectors are eligible and applications from those with some advanced manufacturing capability are particularly welcome. ‘Business to consumer’ as well as ‘business to business’ enterprises (including OEMs) are all eligible.

If you are a business interested in innovation and growth then you will be eligible for 50% government support towards the cost of the mentoring service. Acceptance onto Designing Demand requires companies to resource the design project that results from participation. Each design project is different, but many businesses have seen substantial returns on design investments that cost between £5,000 and £15,000.

Projects last between 6-10 months. Getting the full benefit means having the senior team available to join Design Associates in identifying design opportunities and making them happen.

The mentoring is designed to help and guide the company to improve its product design and market presence.

Funding:

Type of Funding: Service

Project Timeframe - Expiry Date: n/a

Eligibility:

Disclaimer: The information above was accurate at the time of publishing. This is a constantly evolving directory and we will amend the details as and when required. Regenerate Pennine Lancashire is not responsible for the accuracy of external information.

More Information: Read More or Contact Us