As we emerge from one of the UK's worst economic crises in recent years, the importance of is rising up the political agenda. The Parliamentary Lunch, held on 11 July, is a unique forum which highlights the expertise and experience of the design industries and their valuable contribution to UK business success.
The word design is used liberally by the design of legislation, the design of public services, the design of policy….
However, following years of actual practice, and by taking part in events such as the annual Parliamentary Summer Lunch, we are gradually beginning to shift the perception of design from 'superficial aesthetics' to acceptance of the value that design thinking can bring with significant impact on growth, and .
The lunch is one of the activities held by (Associate Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group) to bring awareness to the government on key design policies and how design thinking can be applied. A broad cross-section of the design community gathered at Westminster to celebrate the last twelve months for and hear speeches from Culture and Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey MP, Lord Richard Rogers, and Stuart Wood of Heatherwick Studios.
It was generously supported by a range of design organisations: BDI, , the Crafts Council, CHEAD, CCSkills, DBA, Design Council, Design Museum, CIKTN, PDR/ Design Wales, and the Sorrell Foundation.
BDI was represented by National Board Directors Les Stokes and Phil Gray, and Michael Phillips of , Neil Bates of , and Geoff McCormick of .
APDIG will be creating a publication for the event to illustrate best practice design and design-led innovations from the past 12 months:, designed by BDI member Renfrew Group, is one such project that has been chosen as an example of designers collaborating with the public sector.
Design Development Director Mike Phillips commented: "We are delighted that Chair4Life has been selected to be featured as a design highlight at this year's event. Increasingly design is being understood as a means of delivering breakthrough thinking in healthcare, addressing clinical challenges and health economics whilst putting patient needs right at the centre of the solution.’’
Read the '10 of the Best' APDIG booklet...
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