PDR Research in 2023: Year in Review
Another year has drawn to a close for our design research institute. 2023 proved eventful for engaging international workshops, expanding our team, and initiating exciting new projects. The team has been busy and as we look ahead to 2024, we anticipate another year filled with diverse and challenging opportunities.
JANUARY - MARCH
The year began strong, with our team already planning specialised workshops aimed at researchers and individuals interested in R&D and user-centred design. Professor Andrew Walters took the lead with his public lecture on design research which focused on exploring the application of user-centred design, particularly in improving accessibility through user-led design and development principles.
As part of the Media Cymru consortium, we launched an open call for the Media Cymru seed funding scheme, supported by UKRI to promote innovation in creative industries, with a focus on feasibility studies in the screen and media sectors in Cardiff Capital Region and wider Wales. The overwhelming response came from applicants across sectors proposing innovative projects using a User-Centered Design (UCD) approach.
In an exciting collaboration between PDR and Swansea Bay University Health Board, a project kicked off to co-design assistive technology, incorporating valuable insights from users of life-enhancing assistive equipment. The initiative aims to tackle the worldwide challenge of assistive technology abandonment, advocating for sustainability and advancing the physical and mental well-being of individuals with disabilities.
APRIL - JUNE
With the new phase of the Media Cymru project in full swing and the conclusion of one of our biggest projects - Clwstwr, we unveiled four reports highlighting the impact of our involvement in Clwstwr on fostering a flourishing creative ecosystem in the Cardiff area.
Designing with sustainability, circular economy and technical advancement in mind have always been a crucial part of our practices. In an effort to inspire, educate and evolve, Dr Katie Beverley led several discussions with our team on topics such as design's role in technical advancement and designing with a sustainable future in mind.
JULY - SEPTEMBER
Summer was jam-packed with international travel to workshops and conferences. Professor Dominic Eggbeer, Dr Katie Beverley and Emily Parker-Bilbie set off to India where they led a workshop that explored opportunities to collaborate on custom medical design at Osmania University in Hyderabad. The collaboration sought to forge a unified vision and strategy for sustained research and training. Conversations also revolved around sustainability, alignment with UN goals, and the engagement of participants from diverse sectors.
Meanwhile, back at the PDR headquarters in Cardiff, our team was making strides in supporting the 18 seed-funded projects via the Media Cymru seed fund programme. Through design expertise and strategic guidance for research and development, the projects were coming to life and achieving significant milestones.
Further travels followed as Managing Director Jarred Evans presented at the International Design Conference (IDC) in New York. Jarred's talk centred on the intersection of sustainability and design, a consistent theme for PDR in 2023 and a pivotal area of expansion.
OCTOBER - DECEMBER
In October, our Associate Director of Research Anna Whicher delivered presentations in the Philippines and at the World Design Assembly Tokyo 2023. Anna’s presentation focused on insights and lessons from government labs, exploring their evolution, challenges, and the integration of design methodologies within these labs.
The year ended with a thought-provoking internal discussion between Professor Andrew Walters, Dr Katie Beverley and Managing Director Jarred Evans about the integral role of sustainability in design, emphasising a holistic approach that integrates sustainability seamlessly into projects. The conversation also underscored the collaborative nature of sustainability efforts, challenges in product design and why organisations need to incorporate it into their business models.
As the curtain falls on 2023, we look back and reflect on a year that’s been marked by dynamic international workshops, team growth and innovative projects. We delved deeper into user-centred design and sustainability, with impactful collaborations like the Media Cymru project. The conclusion of Clwstwr highlighted our role in fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem, while summer brought international engagements in India and New York; and we held important discussions on sustainability's vital role in design.
We look forward to continuing these developments into 2024!
Read more about our recent research developments here or get in touch to discuss a project