Euro cash will boost design in North East

Jul 13 2009 By Iain Laing, The Journal

A DRIVE to help the North East become an international leader in product design has been given a £860,000 boost from Europe.

Regional development agency One North East (ONE) has won cash backing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the launch of Design Network North (DNN) which aims to help 125 companies, create 72 jobs and safeguard another 150.

ONE has appointed RTC North Limited as contractor to deliver the initiative.

The £857,000 from the ERDF 2007-13, which backs innovation and enterprise, will be used to raise awareness of the commercial value of design to all business sectors.

DNN director Mike Dowson said: "Innovative product design and services are increasingly seen as essential to the future success of business in our region.

"One North East has tasked us to get the ball rolling by developing a network of design users and providers and a pipeline of high-profile collaborative design projects involving public and private sector parties. We will increase the level of knowledge transfer between science, engineering and design disciplines, service provision, and business within the region.

"With a hub-and-spoke approach, we will generate exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary working and manage a series of ‘calls for ideas’, inviting businesses to table new products which require help to get them to market."

It will focus on new products and services originating from North East SMEs through the engagement of teams of experts from the design and creative service sector, universities, industry, business support organisations, research institutes and centres of excellence.

ONE head of business investment Dr Simon Goon said: "Design Network North will capitalise on existing regional strengths in design and new opportunities with the objective of increasing the contribution of design to the regional economy.

"It will identify projects which will benefit companies and the region, providing guidance and opportunities for funding through a network of design specialists. It is also expected to lever in at least £800,000 in private sector expenditure for design research and development."