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Design London receives funding from LDA to
help London businesses
Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Thu 20th Mar 2008, 10:20:41
Source: Imperial College London
Link: www3.imperial.ac.uk
UK - Design London, a collaboration between Imperial
College London and the Royal College of Art, has received funding
from the London Development Agency (LDA) to deliver a new design
training and support programme to help small businesses
in the city.
Working with Grant Thornton UK LLP, a financial and business adviser
which will manage and administer the programme, Design London has received £3.5
million to deliver the Designing Demand project.
The Design Council developed the nation-wide programme which is provided through
regional development agencies. It shows business owners and
managers how design can more effectively turn ideas into products and services
without extra costs.
Through Designing Demand, Design London will offer a range of programmes specifically
tailored to meet the needs of individual businesses, encouraging
design in companies. There are also additional new services planned to extend
the core Designing Demand programme. These take full advantage of Design London’s
facilities which include rapid prototyping and computer simulation resources.
Nick Leon, Director of Design London, said: “This
partnership puts design-led innovation centre stage for small and medium sized
businesses, transforming business performance, enhancing skills and contributing
to the economic resurgence of key sectors and communities.”
He added: “Design London brings a unique combination of creativity, technological
expertise, and business acumen – represented by each of
the partners - to the Designing Demand programme.”
Design London was established by lead partner The Royal College of Art with Imperial
College London in 2007, supported by £5.8 million backing from funding
bodies HEFCE and NESTA. The venture combines creativity and expertise in design
from the Royal College of Art, engineering from Imperial College's Faculty of
Engineering and the business of innovation from Imperial College's
Tanaka Business School.
Companies interested in using the programme are able to register on the Designing
Demand website. Please see: www.designingdemand.org.uk |
