Overview

The Design Ireland Skillnet was set up in September 2003 by Design Ireland. Established in January 2000, Design Ireland is a broad-based coalition of the Irish Design Industry, with the full backing of The Graphic Design Business Association (GDBA), The Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI), The Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI), and The Institute of Creative Advertising and Design (ICAD). The coalition also enjoys the support of the Irish Government, through Enterprise Ireland. The objective of Design Ireland is to inspire and encourage a positive understanding and utilisation of design by all strands of society, in particular business bodies and Governmental agencies, while internationally demonstrating the creative success and vitality of Irish Design. Design Ireland, an initiative of the combined representative bodies of the Irish design community, was established as a result of the Government review of the Irish design consultancy sector. Design Ireland is the voice of the design industry in Ireland. It is a business led alliance and encompasses all the design disciplines. The Design Ireland Skillnet was set up in an effort to increase the opportunities for training, networking and numerous other forms of collaboration across the Irish Design Industry, primarily professional qualified designers in the following specialised disciplines: - Architecture - Graphic Design - Visual Communications - Product Design - Industrial Design - Fashion - Textile Design - Photography The Network allowed clusters of companies within the Design Community to achieve a common goal through finding the best way to develop the right skills and, in turn, make a positive impact on the long-term competitiveness of their industry. Since September 2003 the Design Ireland Skillnet has been organising heavily subsidised, bespoke tailored specialised training courses and networking events and seminars for the Irish Design Industry.