Surveys show growing optimism

The design industry is optimistic as it continues to experience stability and steady growth, according to Design Week’s latest survey of trends.

This is backed up by industry analyst Willott Kingston Smith, whose quarterly survey, released later this month, is expected to show similar improvement.

“Anecdotal evidence suggests things are looking better for designers in general, so design fee-income is up, though not necessarily turnover,” says Willott Kingston Smith partner Amanda Merron.

“I would think profits will improve because most consultants we looked at took harsh decisions last year,” she adds.

Design Week’s survey – the last in a series of six-monthly trawls carried out with London management consultancy AEA – shows workload up for nearly two-thirds of survey respondents, with almost half saying fee-income is also up.

Further growth is projected, particularly in literature design, graphics and corporate identity.

See Trends Survey, page 11.