Designers from across the South West received inspirational and practical training as part of an intensive workshop, which focused on communicating the value of design and increasing sales from some of the industry’s top creative practioners.

33 businesses attended the event, which was funded by the Creative Industries iNet, the Design Council and the Design Programme.

Design Train, which was organised by the South West Design Forum, was held in Bristol and led by Emma Collins from independent consultancy, Gallery, and Mellissa Norman from Media Sauce. Interactive workshop session were supplemented by a panel discussion, which brought together experienced design professionals and clients

The highlight of the day was a keynote address from Colin Burns, who described his career to date, and spoke about the people who have inspired him and his business philosophy. Colin is Director of the international design agency Elmwood, as well as Visiting Professor for both the University of Dundee and Glasgow School of Art. Before joining Elmwood in 2010, Colin worked for seven years as an independent creative consultant through his one-man agency, Martach, and a network of associates.

Colin also spent much of his career working at IDEO, the international design consultancy famous for its user-centred, interdisciplinary approach. During his 10 years with the companyhe worked in California and Germany, as well as the UK, and held the posts of Global Head of Interaction Design and Head of IDEO London. Colin has also worked as a Design Associate for the Design Council.
Colin said: “With modern communications you can be an international class business anywhere on the planet," but that businesses need to find a point of difference. “If people aren’t buying what you’re selling, you are probably selling the wrong thing.”

The training sessions were part of a 12-hour intensive training day, featuring a panel session, group sessions and keynote address Films from the day, which feature top tips from Emma Collins and Melissa Norman, will be published on Design Train Online, and available free of charge to designers and creative practioners from across the South West from 1st April.

Delegates fed back that they had found the Design Train event invaluable. One said: “It was a fantastic course and has inspired me to make several radical changes in the way we approach our work”. Another said, “How useful, interesting and inspiring yesterday’s Design Train sessions were. Even though it was a lot to take in, my mind is buzzing with things to try out and implement with the rest of the team.”

Design Train is part-funded by the Creative Industries iNet (Innovation Network), a programme of support designed to help the South West’s creative businesses thrive and advance the area’s growing reputation as a global creative centre of excellence. The Creative Industries iNet is part of the Government’s Solutions for Business portfolio, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and led by South West Screen. www.creativeindustriesi.net.