Design is a strategic driver for innovation and competitiveness of organisations and companies, whatever their size, and by extension, a fundamental tool to impact customers and society.

Among many other benefits, it helps to strengthen brand recognition and identity, differentiate a product in the market against the competition, improve the user experience or increase sales and conversions.

Getting behind the design at the company goes beyond taking care of the graphic identity or the external packaging of products: it means integrating it into the corporate culture itself and throughout the business value chain, with the aim of seeking maximum efficiency and bringing added value to products and services. Therefore, there are different applications in the design concept, such as:

• Product or industrial design, including aspects such as user experience, ergonomics, etc.

Graphic design, from marketing materials to signage.

• Packaging design.
• Website design.
• Interior design and equipment.

If a company wants to take its first steps to backing a design as a competitive tool, a specific audit can be a good starting point. It involves examining key areas of the business, such as branding, product and service development, work processes or customer communication channels, and then considering what role design plays in these areas and identifying opportunities.

Galicia is a leading region in the field of design for innovation and competitiveness, as evidenced by the many success stories of Galician companies that have made this factor a key part of their value proposition in the market, from Massó, Sargadelos and Mondariz to Adolfo Domínguez or Pazo de Vilane.

The support of the Regional Government of Galicia has also been key to promoting design as a tool for economic and social transformation. The Regional Government of Galicia promotes the Design for Innovation and Sustainability Programme 2024 - Diferenza, which combines the objectives of innovation for business competitiveness with responsible and social innovation to contribute to sustainability and the welfare of people.

Diferenza gives continuity to other Galician public programmes and initiatives to recognise and disseminate best practices in the incorporation of design as a tool for innovation and competitiveness. Along the same line, also noteworthy are the Galicia Innovation and Design Awards or the publications Galicia. Design as a driving force and Design as a driving force. Success stories in Galicia.

All this work has also made it possible for Galicia to be chosen as the guest region at this year's Porto Design Biennale, the largest biennial design event in the Iberian Peninsula to be held next October in Portugal.