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Design as a tool for innovation – Background information
Beyond the recognised drivers of innovation in other policy domains, such as education and entrepreneurship, some countries in the EU and beyond have started looking at drivers of innovation not previously examined in a policy context. Notably, some of Europe's leading innovation nations have included user-driven or user-centred innovation as cornerstones of their national innovation strategies. It is seen as a way of providing innovative products, services and systems that correspond better to user needs and therefore are more competitive.

Lire la suite de ce texte en anglais ici (traduction de PDF en français) : http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/innovation/policy/design-creativity/index_en.htm#


Ce texte fait parti de cette rubrique en français :

La politique d'innovation a pour but d'aider les sociétés à être plus performantes, et de contribuer à des objectifs sociaux plus étendus comme la croissance, l'emploi et la durabilité
De nombreux instruments politiques sont disponibles pour y arriver, de la mise sur pied de conditions-cadres de soutien (ressources humaines, marché interne, propriété intellectuelle) à la simplification de l'accès au financement en passant par les études comparatives des politiques, les possibilités de collaboration ou une stimulation de la demande, par exemple par le biais d'une règlementation, de normes et de marchés publics.

La logique de la politique d'innovation de l'Europe est particulièrement forte lorsqu'elle aborde les défis les plus importants auxquels fait face la société actuelle.

La principale politique d'innovation de la Communauté en cours est la « stratégie d'innovation élargie pour l'UE ». Elle montre la voie pour accompagner une innovation guidée par l'industrie et poussée par la société avec une compétitivité et des politiques publiques à tous les niveaux comme un élément clé de la nouvelle stratégie de Lisbonne pour la croissance et l'emploi.

La stratégie isole dix actions prioritaires sur une feuille de route pour une action aux niveaux national et européen. La Commission prévoit, en particulier, d'encourager l'émergence de « marchés porteurs », dans lesquels les pouvoirs publics favorisent l'innovation menée par l'industrie en créant les conditions pour la réussite de la pénétration sur le marché, de manière ciblée, de produits et services innovants dans des secteurs comme la santé en ligne, la sécurité intérieure, l'éco-innovation et l'éco-construction.

Lire la suite ici : http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/innovation/policy/index_fr.htm



Secretariat for the European commission’s Design Innovation Initiative to be placed in Aalto university
Helsinki (Finland) - The European Design Innovation Initiative (EDII), launched by the European Commission to strengthen the connection between design, innovation and competitiveness, will now be supported by its own secretariat, situated at the Designium Innovation Centre operating in connection with the Aalto University in Helsinki.

The secretariat was placed in Finland as a result of two central factors: Aalto University's Mission Statement about bringing together art, economy and technology and the expertise and experience found in the Designium Innovation Centre regarding versatile utilisation of competence in design.

According to the Commission, an increase in market-driven and user-centred approach is needed in Europe to balance out technology-oriented thinking. The Commission perceives that user-centred and a market-driven design are in a central position when tackling challenges associated with climate change, ageing of population and the competitiveness of European countries.

A European Leadership Board will be established to manage the initiative. It represents the central actors who are able to ensure the right match between the utilisation of design, innovation and competitiveness: economic life, top-level research and education in the field of design, designers and support organisations for design and innovation activities.

The EDII Leadership Board, the secretariat and the European Commission will produce a common vision and recommendations regarding the most important development areas and measures that will be used to ensure the integration of design into European innovation policies.

"Extending the application of the user-centred expertise and thinking that has evolved within research and education in design to all product planning provides a good starting point for the generation of new innovation. The possibilities for the application of the new information are limitless," believes Eija Nieminen, Director of Designium.

World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 has been involved in close collaboration with the initiative.

"We are happy learn of the Commission's decision and pleased that the role of design will be further strengthened in the EU. Establishing the secretariat will also support the objectives of World Design Capital Helsinki. Placing the secretariat in Helsinki will strengthen the position of the capital area as a design cluster of international significance," says Pekka Timonen, Director of International Design Association (IDA) in charge of the preparations for WDC Helsinki 2012.


For more information, please contact:
Eija Nieminen
Director, Designium
T: +358 50 355 0403
E: eija.nieminen@aalto.fi


About the European Design Innovation Initiative
The particular importance of design as a key discipline and activity to bring ideas to the market has been recognised in the Innovation Union, Europe's 2020 flagship initiative. In line with the commitment taken in the Innovation Union, the European Commission will launch in 2011 the European Design Innovation Initiative to exploit the full potential of design for innovation and to reinforce the link between design, innovation and competitiveness.
ec.europa.eu

About the Design Innovation Center
Designium Innovation Centre operating in connection with Aalto University promotes the transfer of new knowledge and expertise in design into economic life and an increase in the utilisation of design in the word of business. Another objective of the Centre is to contribute to a significant increase in the international competitiveness of Finland and a rise in employment. Designium produces information on the current situation and international developments of the design industry, implements measures to promote the development of design and creates new international contacts.
www.taik.fi/designium