Industry attitudes surveyed by DBA

The latest Design Business Association survey reveals a 72 per cent drop in business optimism.

The report, published last week, states that heads of design consultancies expect the economic situation to get worse. But it notes the results are in ‘marked contrast to informal reports that many design groups are still very busy.’

Packaging groups were the least optimistic, followed by branding consultancies. The most optimistic were product designers.

Groups with 20 to 49 staff were the most optimistic about the future while those with ten to 19 staff were the least positive. The report adds that groups with 50 plus employees expect their workloads to be most affected.

‘Some design groups offering packaging and promotional literature are quite buoyant about their immediate futures, as are those in transport, banking and finance.

‘Those [consultancies] working on Government projects are also optimistic. Internal communications specialists, especially those combining digital media with traditional print expertise are also busy,’ the report states.