Abstract
This paper explores the conference theme of design as a catalyst for change through a set of reflections regarding the experience of delivering several major design knowledge exchange projects. Based in a university context, the projects have worked with more than 500 companies over 15 years and total in excess of £6.5million in value. The paper outlines the experiences of developing and delivering the projects. It explores the efficacy of the various delivery vehicles in relation to developing design awareness, knowledge, use and strategic commercial exploitation. Finally, the analysis proposes a framework for optimising the exchange of design knowledge between universities and companies to maximise change through design and the consequent economic growth.
Keywords
design knowledge; knowledge exchange; adding value through design
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2018.630
Citation
Burns, K. (2018) A Framework to Maximise Design Knowledge Exchange, in Storni, C., Leahy, K., McMahon, M., Lloyd, P. and Bohemia, E. (eds.), Design as a catalyst for change - DRS International Conference 2018, 25-28 June, Limerick, Ireland. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2018.630
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
A Framework to Maximise Design Knowledge Exchange
This paper explores the conference theme of design as a catalyst for change through a set of reflections regarding the experience of delivering several major design knowledge exchange projects. Based in a university context, the projects have worked with more than 500 companies over 15 years and total in excess of £6.5million in value. The paper outlines the experiences of developing and delivering the projects. It explores the efficacy of the various delivery vehicles in relation to developing design awareness, knowledge, use and strategic commercial exploitation. Finally, the analysis proposes a framework for optimising the exchange of design knowledge between universities and companies to maximise change through design and the consequent economic growth.