Australian Design Alliance [AdA] in regards to the Prime Minister’s Manufacturing Taskforce report – Smarter Manufacturing for a Smarter Australia.

26th August, 2012

In their recent media release The Australian Design Alliance (AdA) welcomes the release of the Prime Minister's Manufacturing Taskforce report - Smarter Manufacturing for a Smarter Australia:

We are particularly pleased to see referenced throughout the report, the call for a greater recognition for professional design and the important role it plays in innovation and competitive manufacturing. The AdA is advocating for a national framework for design that demonstrates the critical role design and design thinking play as enablers for innovation. Our core objective is to see design-led innovation become an integral part of Australian business and industry and to ensure design is central to Australia's future economic competitiveness.

There is now undeniable evidence that professional design plays a critical role in the development of internationally competitive products and services. Australia has some of the best designers in the world, capable of developing world-class products and services, however, there still remains a lack of understanding of the true benefits of design as a key driver of competitiveness in Australia.

The recommendations in this report are a step in the right direction to raise the importance of design to help drive a new manufacturing landscape for this country.

Recommendations 28 and 29 speak directly to the importance of placing design at the forefront of innovation.

Recommendation 28
The non-government members of the Taskforce recommend that design be seen as a ubiquitous capability for innovation, and proposes that the Commonwealth Government commission an independent panel to advise on the changes needed to maximise the potential of design thinking on innovation in Australia.

Recommendation 29
The non-government members of the Taskforce also recommend that the design thinking approach form significant elements of the curriculum of the proposed Australian Leadership Institute.

The AdA will be examining the report in detail and provide a full response to the Taskforce's recommendations.

—

Links:
info@australiandesignalliance.com
http://www.australiandesignalliance.com