News & Events

Jobs Minister Mitchell O’Connor to launch National Design Forum

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, announced today that she is to establish a National Design Forum which will drive Ireland’s capability and reputation as a source of design innovation.

“Innovation gives companies and products their competitive edge and design is the piece that makes products distinctive, valuable and desirable,” said Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

“We have a well-deserved reputation for international quality science, research and product development. We need to enhance the value of products and services to the customer by adding in the highest design values, improving functionality and user experience,” continued the Minister.

The Design Forum will focus on an agenda that will deliver on that objective and make recommendations to Government, to Departments and to Agencies.

The Forum will comprise businesses, Government agencies, third level colleges, design practitioners and design organisations.

The Forum will be chaired by Minister Mitchell O’Connor.

“I want this Forum to make a concerted effort to develop design capability in Ireland and to drive greater design-based innovation in the business sector, thereby supporting job creation and export potential,” said the Minister.

The Minister was speaking at the launch of Ireland – The Design Island, a consultation paper towards a National Design Strategy.

This Paper was compiled by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland at the request of the Government, following the very successful Year of Irish Design (ID2015) which promoted the value of design and Irish design capability both nationally and internationally. It is the product of an extensive consultation with the business sector, the design sector, design practitioners and organisations, and the third level sector.

For further information please contact Press Office, D/Jobs Enterprise and Innovation ph. 6312200 or press.office@djei.ie

ENDS

Notes for editors

National Design Forum

The National Design Forum will bring together all relevant stakeholders, from the design sector, the business sector, the education sector and relevant Government Departments and agencies, in order to move forward the design agenda.

The key purpose of the Forum will be to discuss key issues of relevance, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by government (national or local), or by industry itself, to support the sector.

The Minister will chair the first meeting of the Forum before the end of Q1.

Design & Crafts Council of Ireland

The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI) is the main champion of the design and craft industry in Ireland, fostering its growth and commercial strength, communicating its unique identity and stimulating quality design, innovation and competitiveness.

DCCoI’s vision is that Irish design and craft is recognised and valued worldwide for its excellence in making, innovation and marketing.

DCCoI's activities are funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation via Enterprise Ireland.

DCCoI currently has 64 member organisations and over 3,200 registered clients.