> SFU research centre calls for national design strategy to remain competitive
SFU research centre calls for national design strategy to remain competitive
Contact:
Douglas MacLeod, Executive Director, Canadian Design Research Network, 250.766.3591
Melina Czerwinski, Communications Coordinator, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, 604.630.1540, melina.czerwinski@asiapacific.ca
Rob Woodbury, Professor, School of Interactive Arts and Technology, 778.782.7501, rw@sfu.ca
Douglas MacLeod, Executive Director, Canadian Design Research Network, 250.766.3591
Melina Czerwinski, Communications Coordinator, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, 604.630.1540, melina.czerwinski@asiapacific.ca
Rob Woodbury, Professor, School of Interactive Arts and Technology, 778.782.7501, rw@sfu.ca
October 22, 2007
In a report released recently by the Asia Pacific Foundation, researchers at the Simon Fraser University-based Canadian Design Research Network (CDRN) recommend that Canada adopt a national design strategy to remain competitive in the 21st century.
The report, “Design as an Instrument of Public Policy in Singapore and South Korea,” warns that other nations are putting significant resources into design promotion and research. It calls for the federal government to make good design part of its procurement process and projects; to promote design through exhibits and design competitions; to fund design research and encourage small- and medium-sized businesses to develop their design capabilities.
Douglas MacLeod, executive director of the CDRN, and one of the authors of the report, says: “As the key to productivity, innovation and sustainability, design constitutes a critical competitive advantage in the 21st century. Numerous other countries provide a striking contrast to Canada in the extent of their commitment to design quality and their support for design as an instrument of public policy.”
SFU interactive arts professor Rob Woodbury, the CDRN’s scientific director, concurs: "Three things are needed for success. First, companies need to value design and make high-quality design choices. Second, nations need to value design education from kindergarten through to university. Third, industry, the design professions, and schools must foster an interdisciplinary approach if good design is to lead to innovation."
The Canadian Design Research Network is a consortium of academic institutions, government agencies, and industrial partners based at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus. The report can be downloaded from http://www.asiapacific.ca/analysis/pubs/pdfs/rr/2007/rr_design_oct2007.pdf. For more information about the CDRN, visit www.cdrn.ca.
Digital image available by request
The report, “Design as an Instrument of Public Policy in Singapore and South Korea,” warns that other nations are putting significant resources into design promotion and research. It calls for the federal government to make good design part of its procurement process and projects; to promote design through exhibits and design competitions; to fund design research and encourage small- and medium-sized businesses to develop their design capabilities.
Douglas MacLeod, executive director of the CDRN, and one of the authors of the report, says: “As the key to productivity, innovation and sustainability, design constitutes a critical competitive advantage in the 21st century. Numerous other countries provide a striking contrast to Canada in the extent of their commitment to design quality and their support for design as an instrument of public policy.”
SFU interactive arts professor Rob Woodbury, the CDRN’s scientific director, concurs: "Three things are needed for success. First, companies need to value design and make high-quality design choices. Second, nations need to value design education from kindergarten through to university. Third, industry, the design professions, and schools must foster an interdisciplinary approach if good design is to lead to innovation."
The Canadian Design Research Network is a consortium of academic institutions, government agencies, and industrial partners based at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus. The report can be downloaded from http://www.asiapacific.ca/analysis/pubs/pdfs/rr/2007/rr_design_oct2007.pdf. For more information about the CDRN, visit www.cdrn.ca.
Digital image available by request