This report presents the activities and outcomes of Design Innovation for New Growth (DING) - AH/P013325/1. DING is a two year follow-on project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) delivering Design Innovation as a strategy for growth in the creative economy of the Highlands & Islands between January 2017 - January 2019.

DING builds on the activities and knowledge generated from the AHRC-funded Knowledge Exchange (KE) Hub Design in Action (DiA). The aim of this follow-on project was to apply the strategic design methods and approaches developed and tested in DiA with new audiences in the Highlands & Islands region. DING’s stance on supporting growth for the creative economy is one that looks to include more qualitative forms of growth that can better consider the interests of and value created by creative practitioners.

This report shares how these activities were developed and delivered, as well as the key outcomes and learning produced through the project. By delivering Design Innovation approaches in partnership with existing networks in the Highlands & Islands, DING explored an asset-based approach to promote and capture more qualitative examples of innovative growth.