27 May 2009

The Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences hosted a Design Dialogue roundtable in early June, which brought together design practitioner organisations with researchers from some of the leading university based design institutions.

The dialogue explored how to booster translation of knowledge between industry and design research. It will support both researchers and practitioners in effectively contributing to national policy on design based innovation.

CHASS hopes to build a clearer understanding of how institutions, organisations and researchers are using design skills and knowledge in cultural and innovation policy, to develop business, and to meet policy challenges including sustainability and urban design.

CHASS will prepare a follow up paper for its member organisations and their networks mapping research and industry linkage projects based on design and who is undertaking them. Where national advocacy goals emerge from discussion it will communicate these to its members for discussion.

Australian Design Coalition

Recently some practitioner groups began meeting as the Australian Design Coalition. The aim of the Coalition is to seek greater support, recognition and valuing of Australian design by governments, the business community and the general public, through advocacy, research, development of model programs, policy development and the setting of professional standards. They also aim to stimulate greater creativity, innovation and collaboration within the design sector and the application of strategic design approaches across all sectors. The Australian Design Coalition is constituted of key professional organisations representing the many fields of design activity. This may include planning, urban design, landscape architecture, architecture, interior design, graphic design, furniture, exhibition and event design, product design, fashion, visual arts, craft and media arts.

Design, in this context, means the process of devising an innovative concept in response to technical, commercial, social, ethical, cultural, environmental and/or aesthetic requirements of a project. It is often a response to a brief proposed by a client and usually is intended to be realised through manufacture, production or construction.

Research - Industry links

Universities are seeking bridges to both industry and arts based developments for a more creative Australia. They have made a major investment in design research, structuring research centres to reach across traditional disciplines to link areas from transport systems and timber manufacture with graphic, landscape, multimedia and industrial design. They also host and train artists and craft workers working across design disciplines.

Industry groups see major potential in design driven innovation across a range of areas in the Australian economy and society, but need an evidence base to show where private and Government investment can boost the quality of work, and lead to growth in industry (both commercial and non-profit).

While Australian states, led by Victoria and Queensland, have backed state strategies for design there has been a gap at the national level. The 2020 Summit called for a national policy for architecture, the built environment and design and also for coordination of creative investment across Australia. CHASS has called for a national design council. The Australia Council is also interested in supporting artists in design.

Recently the Government announced that the University of Technology Sydney will host the new Creative Industries Innovation Centre.

 

 

For more information, please contact:

Helen O'Neil

Executive Director

Council of the Humanties, Arts and Social Sciences

Phone: +61 2 6249 1995

director@chass.org.au