Creative Economies

Focus: The Design Industry

Design schools are important industry incubators.

With almost 11,000 businesses and around 25,000 employees, the Swiss design industry is one of the largest submarkets in the creative industries. The relation of businesses to employees points to rather small-scale structures. Changes are positive across all indicators, which can otherwise only be established for the broadcasting market, the architecture market and the advertising market. Businesses + 12.2 %, employees + 5.6 %, gross value added + 6.3 %, total turnover + 3.3 %: The design industry has positioned itself successfully between local do-it-yourself and international branding.

Voices from the Design Industry

“Designers who care about products are only part of our profession. There are many other questions in the world that are unresolved or need development.”
“Thought processes are becoming more important, as is what designers contribute in different areas — whether it is just a product, food or social issues. Design as a research discipline should be taken more seriously.” (Sarah Küng)

Source: Hochparterre: Es gibt zu viele Dinge; Author: Lilia Glanzmann; Date: 1 December 2017

In short, design is a major factor wherever advice and service, production and sales take place.

Source: Passagen: Zwischen Pizza und Laptop; Author: Volker Albus; Published by: Pro Helvetia; Date: 2013

“Intelligent design thinking, i.e., understanding complex design and entrepreneurial problems, will always be in demand.”

Christian Kaegi. Source: Passagen: Design im globalen Wettbewerb.; Author: Dominic Sturm; Published by: Pro Helvetia; Date: 2013

When experts from industry, design, architecture and research network, discuss all kinds of questions and drive ideas forward, trends can lead to developments that help everyone move forward instead of merely satisfying market needs.

Source: Hochparterre; Author: Lilia Glanzmann; Date: 1 September 2017

The pace of development in the digital, biological and technological worlds is changing and disrupting the way we work and live. From 3D printed buildings, to self-driving taxis, to vertical farming, every part of the UK economy will be affected by this “fourth industrial revolution.” Tomorrow’s innovative companies and organisations rely on people who can marry subject expertise with skills and knowledge from out-side their individual specialisms, and who approach projects with creativity. In short, the companies leading this industrial revolution need design skills. Modern design is no longer confined to particular sectors or occupations. The skills, principles and practices of design are now widely used across the economy, from banking to retail.

Source: Design Council. Design Skills Report; Date: February 2018