Minister of State for the Department of Jobs Gerald Nash with CEO of Irish Design 2015 Karen Hennessy
The results of the Irish Design 2015 (ID2015) initiative are in, showing that 2015 was a very successful year for the Irish design industry with over 2,000 Irish designers showcased at over 670 projects and events in 160 locations across the world. ID2015 events nationally and internationally attracted an audience in excess of 1.5 million as well as over 100,000 international tourists at ID2015 events in Ireland.
Results of a study commissioned as part of ID2015 also give a valuable insight into the industry, which employs 48,000 people in design roles. Read on for the details.
Bringing visibility to a dynamic sector
ID2015 was a year-long initiative exploring, promoting and celebrating Irish design both at home and abroad. The aim of the initiative was to bring visibility to Ireland’s dynamic design businesses, supporting them in trading in competitive foreign markets and ultimately creating jobs at home.
The idea emerged from the 2013 Global Irish Economic Forum and was convened by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), in collaboration with partner organisations, on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Enterprise Ireland.
The programme has seen Irish design and designers being celebrated and promoted both at home and around the world in order to drive job creation, grow exports and increase competitiveness.
670 projects. 2,000 designers showcased across 23 countries... we've the results of ID2015
ID2015 saw 670 projects and events take place in Ireland and abroad, including exhibitions, trade shows, design weeks, architecture biennials, fashion weeks, embassy events, design innovation fund events and international trade fund events.
Among the highlights of the initiative:
- Over 2,000 designers were showcased and more than 270 Irish design companies received support to attend international events resulting in the work of Irish designers being present in 23 countries worldwide
- Over 7,800 and 1,600 business professionals received training
- 370 new designers and design companies registered in Ireland in 2015
- Export sales of over €20million has been generated to date through core ID2015 programmes along, including over €13.5million from the ID2015 International Trade Fund
- ID2015 events nationally and internationally have attracted an audience in excess of 1.5 million as well as over 100,000 international tourists at ID2015 events in Ireland
Minister of State for the Department of Jobs Gerald Nash with CEO of Irish Design 2015 Karen Hennessy with the Policy Framework for Design in Enterprise in Ireland report
Design sector employs 48,000 people
A study of the design industry in Ireland was commissioned as part of the year of Irish Design. It results show that:
- The Irish Design sector accounts for €38billion in exports – that’s 20% of total exports
- 48,000 people are employed in design roles in Ireland – that’s 2.5% of the workforce
- Ireland’s design-sector exports are higher relative to the UK
- 80% - 90% of firms cite the importance of design to innovation, customer service and profit
Enterprise Zone showcasing emerging designers and craftspeople
The results were launched as Showcase International Creative Expo - organised by DccoI and the first major trade event of the year - is getting underway in Dublin's RDS. This year, a dedicated Enterprise Zone on the balcony area is the home for emerging designers and craftspeople, with 59 small companies from 22 counties exhibiting for the first time at the trade event.
Action Plan for Jobs
The ID 2015 initiative was part of the Action Plan for Jobs and the Government has set out a number of commitments for job creation in the design sector under the 2016 Action Plan for Jobs, including:
- Strengthening Ireland’s design capability and performance through Enterprise Ireland and DCCoI supports such as Regional Collaboration Funds, Start-Up Funds, International Trade Promotion, Clustering initiatives, Technology Gateways, Incubator initiatives and regional and sectoral networks
- Exploiting opportunities for Ireland to win EU design collaboration funding
- Expanding the ‘Design 4 Growth’ Initiative launched as part of ID2015 and led by Dublin City Local Enterprise Office, bringing small firms and designers together
- Continuing promotion of Irish design through our Embassies abroad and through Enterprise Ireland’s export promotion activity
- The Future Skills Group will look at current provision of design skills and scope out future skills needs
For more information
Read “Designed in Ireland: Policy Framework for Design in Enterprise in Ireland”.
For a round up of Irish design events visit ID2015's website.
Find out more about the Action Plan for Jobs.