Recognising the real value of good design

Carol O’Callaghan finds despite the lack of a national strategy, moves are being made to raise awareness of design at home and abroad.

Ireland is one of only six countries in Europe that does not have a national design strategy, says Alex Milton, Programme Director of Irish Design 2015 (ID 2015), an initiative launched this year to raise awareness of Irish design at home and abroad and to highlight its value for business and for society in general.

“When you look internationally at places like The Netherlands and Finland, they know that every euro invested gives four back,” he says.