Design Centre for the North

Design Centre for the North (DCN) regional consultation outcome

Project Overview

The DCN concept focuses on product development, innovation and design in the North East. It recognises pockets of innovation excellence in the region but aims to foster integration and interdisciplinary working between business and the knowledge base in design and science, engineering and technology.

After detailed and wide-ranging consultation and research, One NorthEast hasproposed a project which will address these priorities by establishing a design based Knowledge Transfer Network. The Network will develop a membership of businesses, interdisciplinary design groups and related partners.

In the long-term, the network will be supported by a dedicated physical facility, which will provide the neutral space required for interdisciplinary working. This is being taken forward as a separate project. The One NorthEast Board has endorsed the concept and project proposal.

Design Centre for the North (DCN) is a project currently under development. Please note: the consultation period closed on 3rd August 2007

Many thanks for your participation in the Design Centre consultation process which has taken place over the last few months and ended during August. This included both the written questionnaire and face to face events. We also examined good practice in the region and other locations, and carried out desk research. This has greatly assisted us in further refining the Design Centre concept, and producing our final proposal as to how to take forward.

In broad terms, the consultation showed very strong support for the overall Design Centre concept, and the idea of a knowledge transfer network for design, focussed on business support. A significant majority were in favour of a physical building and showcasing provision. In addition, a shared product development space, a resource library and strong market intelligence were found to be very important to respondents. The Agency has therefore developed a detailed proposal to take these findings forward.

The proposal comprises the creation of the Network for Design which will in general ensure greater exploitation of current regional strengths in design, raise awareness of design as a means to improve business competitiveness within the region and facilitate development of skills and capacity for design and innovation within business. Most importantly, it will promote cross disciplinary working between academia, the design community and businesses to identify and resolve real-life business issues relating to design of products and processes, and foster beneficial collaborative links within the region, UK and internationally.

It is planned to ultimately house the Network in the prospective physical Design Centre building within the Baltic Business Quarter in Gateshead. It is felt that the building will give unique strengths to the concept, providing a visible hub and focal point for design in the region, permanent showcasing space for the best of regional design, appropriate/neutral space and facilities for shared design projects and a resource library for design-related material. It also allows for the generation of income to support the Design Centre objectives, clear synergy through co-location of other regional design initiatives and design-related businesses, and will benefit from the availability of the highly appropriate location and the opportunity to create a building of high quality design & sustainability.

We are now obviously moving very quickly to take the concept into its implementation phase. The next steps will include the finalisation of the ownership and delivery model for the prospective building; and preparation of a comprehensive business case, to seek full financial approval from the Agency’s Board. In parallel with this, we intend to start to deliver early Network activity as soon as possible.

We feel it is vital to continue to engage with key stakeholders such as yourselves, to continue to shape and participate in the Design Centre, and further communication will be made in due course.

I am sure you will welcome the achievement of this very positive milestone.

Malcolm Page – 0191 229 6505
malcolm.page@onenortheast.co.uk

Naomi Charlton – 0191 229 6803
naomi.charlton@onenortheast.co.uk

Best Wishes,

Malcolm Page
Assistant Chief Executive (Resources)

Please submit your details if you would like to receive further information on the Design Centre for the North. One NorthEast will not share your information with any third parties and your details will be used solely for the purpose of providing you with updates in the project that may interest you.