DIAC asked Corbett Communications to survey design educators, design employers, designers in the workforce and clients on key issues impacting on the design sector. Here are the highlights of their research findings.

1. Ontario has a broad-based design education system
There are sixty-six programs in Ontario universities and colleges and some additional programs in private institutions.

2. Few Masters Degrees, No Doctoral Programs
There are only three Masters programs and no Doctoral programs in design currently offered in Ontario.

3. Skill Deficiencies in Business Strategy, Design Firm Management
Ontario’s undergraduate design programs offer thorough education in design theory, design process, design methods and technology usage. But design programs are not focusing enough attention on business strategy, design firm management and communications skills.

4. Gaps in Continuing Education
Designers, on average, engaged in 30 hours of continuing education in 2003. But designers and their employers do not believe that current continuing education programs adequately address emerging skills gaps for the design workforce.

5. Majority of Designers Work Alone or in Micro Businesses
The majority of design firms in Ontario have fewer than 5 employees (classified as “micro businesses” within Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.)

6. Designers Not Involved in Strategic Decision-making
Some clients view designers as implementers rather than innovators. They indicate that, generally, they do not involve designers in the strategic-decision making phase of projects.

7. Design Sector Needs a Unified Brand
The design sector has an image problem. The contribution of designers to innovation has been overlooked and undervalued.