Partner Article

Design organisation to close

AN ORGANISATION which was launched almost a decade ago to support the region’s creative sector is to be axed due to a lack of funding.

Not-for-profit agency A Design Association was set up in 2001 with the aim of boosting the North East’s design and creative industries through events, promotional activities and trade-building strategies aimed at developing links with the region’s wider business community.

However, the company will now close at the end of the month due to dwindling membership levels and a lack of financial backing.

A company statement said: “Unfortunately we haven’t been able to reach the necessary level of membership to sustain our activity and this has co-incided with the end of our funding period.

“Therefore we are unable to continue as a membership and events organisation in support of the North East creative industries.”

Among the well-respected team of North East business leaders on the A Design board were Darren Richardson, director of PR firm Gardiner Richardson and Sam Morton, creative director of film production business Ten Alps Vision.

Steve Blanks, MD of Fat Frog Design and one of the founding members of A Design, said the closure of the organisation was down to a combination of apathy among regional players, the tighter financial constraints which continue to hinder the industry and the political landscape.

“Generally speaking it is down to the apathy shown by the design community in the North East. People don’t value a trade organisation that represents their industry. They missed the opportunity to get involved.”

On a positive note, Mr Blanks said that many members of the chain of contacts that had been built up by the organisation would continue to meet informally to collaborate and discuss ideas.

A Design, which operates out of the Tyneside creative business hub Hoults Yard, will officially cease trading on 28 May, with all accounts to be settled by 30 June at the latest, “barring any queries on an account”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .