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Economic development agencies at national and regional levels have recognised the importance of design and creativity as a driver toward growth, wealth creation and potentially company and job creation. Many regions employ a strategy of promoting the crucial nature of design and then proceed onto promoting a number of design companies either locally or internationally, this activity although important is only part of the answer. There are a number of projects that have actively developed a strategy of firstly supporting design activity, the outcomes of which can then be promoted to wider audience. The project developed in Glasgow, United Kingdom (UK), as an experimental project for a celebratory motive has successfully supported the development of new products, facilitated new company start-ups and created wealth. This increased design activity in the region managed by a public body allowed design academia unprecedented access to live design projects. Access was in the form observance, academic engagement and student projects being realised with access to funds. The project has also been agile enough to be transported to other locations in the UK and internationally resulting in the same high level of success. Ian all regions there has been a similar outcome of economic development programmes giving active engagement opportunities to the local design education institutions.

Keywords:

Design, design management, economic development, design education enhancement