how?

Contrary to the belief that creative people are born, not made; managers can learn design-led, creative skills to tackle tough problems and reduce risk in new product and service development. Design strategy is not a "silver bullet", but it is a documented component of overall business strategy at the fastest growing companies. By adding design thinking skills to a portfolio of other management tools, companies have shown marked performance improvement over their competition. Companies that have participated in the workshops are helping create a culture ripe for innovation.

Innovation is done by people for people. Innovation is initiated and supported by the leader of an organisation; executed by cross-functional work teams; informed by a deep understanding of end customer needs.

These workshops were developed from best-practice around the globe and in collaboration with some of the best design thinkers and doers.

User-centred design

Few companies put themselves in their customers’ shoes, even though the best way to develop successful products and services is to understand people’s needs first. This is what is meant by user-centred design. User-centred design is a cornerstone of effective innovation. By understanding the needs of your consumers, you will be able to turn those insights into new products and services that meet those needs, reducing risk to launches and creating value for both company and consumer in the process. This workshop presents a simple framework of Identify, Look, Ask, Involve, Try and Plan; and provides easy to use tools to identify the right users; observe what clients actually do; involve your user experts; and prototype potential ideas. An initial discussion provides business benefit to why a design approach works. Activities allow participants to try the tools and case studies provide real world examples of successful application in Irish small and medium sized organisations.

Brand experience

Every organisation has a brand, because a brand is the sum total of all perceptions good and bad about your organisation. A brand is not a logo. The brand workshop provides a business case for brand and then discusses the building blocks of successful brand development: Core Idea, Mission, Vision, Values and Personality. Case studies from both big and small organisations illustrate each area and participants are given the tools to investigate their own brands; as well as brief and select design agencies to help develop them.

Service design

We are ALL service providers. Regardless of what you offer, there is a service component to what you do. This workshop looks at service design and customer experience; providing a simple blueprint for how to design and evaluate service. Organisations learn to go from a first impression to a lasting impression. This is good business as customers pay more for branded services and experiences, than commodities or products.

Register your interest

Please register your interest in attending a workshop. We can notify you the next time we are delivering one of the modules.

why?

Why is design important? Our research shows Irish companies that value design innovate more often. Not only that, but Irish companies that value design innovate more successfully. And those companies that integrate design more strategically within their organisations experience greater demand for their goods and services.

what?

What is design innovation? Many people are describing the same thing by different names and we want to create a common language around design innovation, thinking and practice.

how?

This isn’t rocket science but it is the next ‘big thing’. Understanding your users provides context for your innovation efforts and leads to greater success in the marketplace. Our practical programmes can help make you more competitive.

who?

We are here to help. There is also a broader network of support for you and your organisation. And if you’re still not convinced of design’s impact on innovation, see how other individuals, organisations and countries are competing through design.