Why?

Drive demand for innovative products and services

If Europe cannot offer an innovation friendly market for the creative outputs of its businesses then those businesses will fail to thrive or go elsewhere.

Esko Aho, Creating an Innovative Europe, 2006

In his report to the European Commission on how to implement improved innovation performance across the EU, Esko Aho, former Prime Minister of Finland, argues that the principal barrier to innovation in Europe is the lack of an innovation-friendly market. He concludes that there are a number of steps that must be taken to encourage greater demand for innovative and well-designed goods and services:

  • Use public procurement to drive demand for innovative and well designed goods and services, while at the same time improving the level of public services; and
  • Foster a cultural shift to celebrate innovation and good design through a desire to possess innovative goods and experience well designed services, such that Europe becomes a natural home for innovators.

As we transform into a service-based economy, innovating within this sector will be at a premium. However, the major barrier to service innovation is a lack of demanding, novelty-seeking customers who are willing and able to pay for upgraded, improved or well designed services.i

The role of the public sector here is clear; as the largest purchaser of goods and services within Ireland, it has a responsibility to make sure that they are of the highest quality, and also to demand innovative, well-designed products and services in order to stimulate the market for them.

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.