Two of the South West’s design clusters have been awarded generous grants from the Design Council’s £100,000 fund. The Somerset Design Enterprise Network, and the West of England Design Forum beat strong competition from around the UK, demonstrating the strength of the design industry in the South West.
The two clusters will be able to use this much needed funding to progress with valuable projects. Bids for funding were backed by the South West Design Forum, which is the expert voice of design in the region.
The West of England Design Forum will use their grant to run an event for Environmental Technology Companies, focusing on Design Impact. The event will encourage these businesses to use design more effectively, will present case studies, discuss barriers the companies face, and teach companies how to work successfully with design professionals. One-to-one advice and encouragement will also be available.
In 2011, the Somerset Design Enterprise Network will be holding the Sustainable Design Symposium. Tackling issues such as what does sustainable growth for business actually mean, to seeing beyond the ‘green wash’, the symposium will allow designers and business from a variety of sectors, to collaborate on identifying issues and discovering solutions.
Karen Stockdale, Manager of the South West Design Forum, said: “The grants will help us promote the value of design to industry in the UK and beyond, and enable us to celebrate the innovative design sector in the South West region.”
For more information about the West of England Design Forum please visit www.wedesignforum.co.uk, and for information about the Somerset Design Enterprise Network Symposium, visit www.sustainable-design-uk.com.
Alternatively, please contact Fran Allan, Communications Officer for the South West Design Forum on 01752 346530 or email fran@swdf.co.uk.