This publication by Kathryn Best accompanied the Lector’s inauguration as head of the research group Cross-media, Brand, Reputation & Design Management (CBRD) in January 2011. The book outlines current debates around the Creative Industries, business and design education and the place of ’well being’ in society, the environment and the economy, before focusing in on the place for design thinking in creative and innovation processes, and how this is driving new applied research agendas and initiatives in education and industry.
The creative economy is described by media entrepreneur and analyst John Howkins as ‘the fastest growing business in the world’ and reflects the growing power of ideas – and how people make money from ideas. It is driven by the view that ‘twenty-first century industries will depend increasingly on the generation of knowledge through creativity and innovation’. The activities concerned with the generation or exploitation of ideas, knowledge and information are seen by global companies and global economies as becoming increasingly important to economic, and societal, well-being – individually, locally and globally.
When conducting research in and for the creative industries, there are a wealth of different possible research approaches that can be taken - reflecting the diverse nature of the disciplines (design, arts and crafts, advertising, architecture, fashion, film, music, TV, radio performing arts, publishing and interactive software) and academic contexts (art schools, business schools and universities) involved. The result is that there are variations in the emphasis and approach taken to how students are taught to link theory with practice, and how they view and engage with the concept ʻresearchʼ. The need for understanding and awareness of a range of approaches is critical for anyone learning about and working within design, business and the creative industries today.
