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Designing a brighter future for region’s ecomomy

A NORTH EAST network has already injected a further £7m into the region’s economy since its launch last year.

Design Network North (DNN), which was launched in March 2009 by One North East and is run by RTC North, was highly praised in the report produced Brightpurpose Consulting – a company specialising in evaluating public sector investment.

New products ranging from biometric entry systems and shower units to jewelry stands and air fresheners are some of the ideas already on sale or on their way to market thanks to small and timely interventions by Design Network North.

Gaining the backing of big business, names such as Dyson, Black & Decker, Procter & Gamble and Motorola have signed up to speak at the network’s ‘Design Means Business’ conference to be held at The Sage Gateshead in March 2011.

Director of Brightpurpose Consulting, Helen Highley said: “We have recently worked with DNN to assess the difference the project is making to the north east of England.

“We do this for a lot of different projects, and it is rare for us to hear such overwhelmingly positive reactions as we did about DNN. We were impressed by how successful the project has been in inspiring and supporting companies to innovate and grow.

“The events run by DNN are relevant, interesting and attendance keeps growing. The connections companies make at these events have been pivotal to helping them grow and bring new products to market.”

30 projects passed the pitch process to win support from the initiative which was set up by regional development agency One North East at a cost of £850k for two years to place design and innovation at the heart of the economy.

With further funding drawn from the European Regional Development Fund, the evaluation report provides positive proof of the value of the network to regional industry.

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