USER-FACTOR is a three-year project funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme, which aims to strengthen innovation in SMEs by supporting them in using design as a tool for user-centred innovation.
PDR’s Design Policy Team is leading the project in collaboration with seven European partners from regional government departments and other innovation agencies.
Through a knowledge exchange process and using a service design method, USER-FACTOR partners will assess current support offerings and the individual needs of SMEs. Building on these findings they will develop, test and evaluate a design support pilot action, tailored to support 25 SMEs in their regions.
The project will result in the participation of 200 SMEs overall and contribute to transnational knowledge in areas of:
SME business development through user-centred products, services, processes and business models.
Advanced support services for SMEs by integrating design tools and approaches with existing offerings.
Collaboration between SMEs, academic institutions and research/innovation centres.
Knowledge generated throughout the project will materialise in the publication: ‘The Design Impact Report’ featuring case studies of good practice in developing design support actions.
The project will be shared at a high-level conference in Lisbon in 2020.
Follow our progress on:
The USER-FACTOR website: http://userfactor.eu
Twitter: @user_factor
For any queries, please contact the USER-FACTOR Project Officer, Piotr Swiatek, at pswiatek@pdronline.co.uk
Piotr Swiatek
Project Manager
Dr Anna Whicher
Head of Design Policy