The Design Council's 2008 National Survey of Firms suggests Britain’s businesses are looking to designers to beat the recession. MORE than half (54%) of UK businesses are planning to use design to help them survive the difficult economic conditions ahead.
Design Council Chief Executive David Kester said: “Recession is no time to be battening down the hatches. It’s the moment when design becomes absolutely critical to survival, growth and success – and it’s great to see that there’s a growing recognition of this within the business community.”
Castle Rock Brewery made a modest £3,000 investment in redesigning its brand in a bid to compete in the competitive Real Ales market. This helped secure more market exposure, so that a year down the line, demand is outstripping supply, sales volume has increased by 20%.
Castle Rock Brewery Chairman Chris Holmes said: “A small investment in design has paid huge dividends for us. We now have a clearer focus and a brand that reflects the care and attention that has gone into our award-winning beers. I no longer regard design as a luxury, but as a competitive necessity.”
The Design Council web site also illustrates how design has previously been used by companies as a potent weapon to not just survive, but to thrive in the face of both sector-specific and general recessions. It includes examples from the 1970s and the 1980s as well as more recent success stories such a Net-a-Porter, the online fashion store which was launched during 2000 but bucked the dot com crash by extensively using design to build what is now a multi-million pound business.
If you'd like to find out how design, marketing and branding can help your business in the difficult period ahead, call our marketing and design consultant for a chat on 01908 231401 or email info@travisbead.com.
Source: www.creativematch.co.uk and www.designcouncil.org.uk
