In Singapore, innovation and creativity have been pivotal in shaping the nation’s growth and identity. It was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2015, and this recognition strengthened Singapore’s desire to intertwine design within its economic, lifestyle and education ecosystem. Design plays a pivotal role in shaping the world around us, influencing our daily lives, from the products we use to the spaces we inhabit. The design has the power to enhance functionality and create meaningful experiences, and the DesignSingapore Council recognises the importance of design as a strategic tool for economic growth and social development.
Established to promote design excellence and elevate Singapore’s global standing as a design hub, the DSC has been instrumental in shaping Singapore’s design landscape by fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration, and nurturing talent in various creative sectors, thus cultivating a design-centric mindset across multiple sectors. This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the DesignSingapore Council, its objectives, functions, impact on the nation’s design landscape, and contributions to the wider global design community.
History
Singapore made significant strides to transform its economy from a manufacturing-based to a knowledge-driven one. The DesignSingapore Council was thus founded in 2003 for the Singaporean government to recognise the importance of design as a crucial element in this transformation. It is a Singapore Economic Development Board subsidiary under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. With a clear vision and strategic roadmap, the council aimed to leverage design as a catalyst for economic growth and social development.
Objectives of the Council
The primary objective of the DesignSingapore Council is to establish design as a key differentiator in Singapore’s economic development and champion design and its multifaceted applications across various industries. The council has multiple objectives and key functions being:
- Design excellence: The DesignSingapore Council works diligently to cultivate and foster a culture of design excellence in Singapore. By encouraging creative expression and thinking, the council promotes the use of design as a strategic tool for problem-solving by organising a wide array of events, exhibitions and conferences that showcase exemplary design projects.
- Design-Driven Initiatives: The DesignSingapore Council is the driving force behind several design-driven initiatives that have the potential to drive Singapore’s economic growth and progress. This entails engaging with policymakers, funding and mentorship programs and collaborations with industry leaders and partners.
- Nurturing Design Talent: DesignSingapore Council actively invests in nurturing and developing local talent. It facilitates educational programs, scholarships and workshops to equip the next generation of designers with the necessary skills and knowledge. Collaborations with academic institutions, design schools, industry partners, and professional associations play a crucial role in empowering design talent.
- Promoting Design as a Differentiator: One of the key roles of the DesignSingapore Council is to position design as a differentiator in the global marketplace. The council enhances the nation’s international competitiveness and attractiveness by fostering a unique Singaporean design identity.
- Advocating Design Policies: Actively engaging with policymakers to advocate for design-centric policies that can create an enabling environment for the design community by fostering collaborations between government agencies and the private sector.
Local Impact
Over the years, the DesignSingapore council has left an indelible mark on the nation’s design landscape. Several notable impacts can be attributed to the council’s initiatives:
- Design Incubation and Innovation: The DesignSingapore Council has played a pivotal role in incubating design-led start-ups and fostering innovation across various industries. Through grants, competitions, and mentorship programs, many innovative ventures have been given the necessary impetus to thrive. This year’s GIFFEST III program series named “Becoming Imperfect” in collaboration with the National Design Center is an example of a platform DSC use to showcase emerging local and international artists combined with talks, panel discussions and workshops.
- Design Integration in Business Strategies: The council’s efforts have led to a growing realisation among businesses about the strategic importance of design. Today many companies actively integrate design thinking into their business strategies to gain a competitive advantage. The DSC offers a curated set of toolkits and resources to help one integrate design as a key driver for business innovation.
- Urban Planning: Singapore’s urban planning and architectural marvels have garnered international acclaim. The DSC’s emphasis on design-led city planning has resulted in improvements in delivering public services, creating user-centric environments and aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces that enhance the quality of life for its residents.
- Design Tourism and Festivals: Through design festivals and events, the DSC has contributed to Singapore’s reputation as a vibrant hub for the creative arts. These events attract tourists and design enthusiasts worldwide, stimulating the local economy and fostering cultural exchange. One such festival is the 2023 Design for Wellness National Design Project. This summit will be held in November of 2023 and attended by global academics, educators, designers and industry leaders.
Global Impact
Beyond its influence within Singapore’s borders, the DesignSingapore Council has made significant contributions to the wider global design community:
- International Collaborations: The DesignSingapore collaborates with international design organizations, governments and educational institutions. These collaborations facilitate knowledge exchange, foster global design networks and elevate Singapore’s profile on the international stage.
- Recognition and Awards: Through its awards and recognition programs, such as the Presidents Design Award, the DesignSingapore Council acknowledges exceptional design achievements in Singapore and internationally. These award help promote Singaporean designers and design firms on a global platform.
- Design Diplomacy: The DSC’s initiatives have served as a vehicle for design diplomacy, promoting Singapore’s soft power and cultural identity worldwide. It has facilitated a deeper understanding and appreciation of Singaporean design and creativity across borders.
- Inspiration and Best Practices: The council’s success stories and best practices have inspired other nations to prioritise design and creativity as critical elements in their socio-economic development. Many countries look to Singapore as a model for harnessing design’s potential for growth and progress.
In conclusion, the DesignSingapore Council has played a transformative role in shaping Singapore’s design landscape and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. With its focus on design excellence, talent development and sustainable practices, the council has elevated Singapore’s status as a design hub and contributed significantly to the global design community. As it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the design industry, the DesignSingapore council will undoubtedly remain a driving force in shaping the nation’s future, powered by creativity and ingenuity.
References:
CPG Corporation (2023) Serie + Multiply with CPG, Complete The Tallest Government Building in Singapore – The New State Courts Towers [Photographs, online] Available at: https://www.cpgcorp.com.sg/news-insights/new-state-courts-towers-singapore [Accessed 16 July 2023]
DesignSingapore Council (2023) Available at: https://designsingapore.org/ [Accessed 11 July 2023]
Martino Hutz Architecture (2023) CAPITASPRING [Photograph, online] Available at: https://martinohutz.de/Capitaspring [Accessed 16 July 2023]
Nguyen, P (2016) Marina Bay Skyline Sunset [Photograph, online] Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/CQhgno3yhv8 [Accessed 16 July 2023]
WOHA (2023) Kampung Admiralty [Photograph, online] Available at: https://woha.net/project/kampung-admiralty/ [Accessed 16 July 2023]
WOHA (2023) Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020, Dubai [Photograph, online] available at: https://woha.net/project/singapore-pavilion-expo-dubai/ [Accessed 16th July 2023]
Tang A. (2023) DesignSingapore Council to become EDB agency to help local companies expand beyond Singapore (Last Updated 2018) Available at: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/designsingapore-council-to-become-edb-agency-to-help-local-companies-expand-beyond [Accessed 16 July 2023]
