Design can boost Canadian productivity

Toronto's design labour force is a hidden resource that must be deployed to enhance Canadian competitiveness and productivity, says a leading advocate for design innovation.

Sara Diamond made the case for greater incorporation of design into the high-tech and other sectors in an address last month to the Economic Club of Toronto.

"Design is one of the most dynamic means to create unique intellectual property," said Diamond, president of the Ontario College of Art and Design. "But that IP and the knowledge to produce that IP needs to be concentrated in Canada in order for it to truly generate wealth in Canada ... As promoters of innovation, we need to bring design to the forefront of every stage of product and process development."

Toronto has North America's third largest design workforce behind New York City and Boston. For the full text of Diamond's speech, go to www.ocad.ca/about_ ocad/news_events/newsroom.htm.