Start with Monday

it be, for example, more apprenticeship based?) and support from the government to assist with university or training fees. Paying a fair wage to new starters fresh out of education will also help, as well as offering paid work placements during their education. What about a system where companies contribute to tuition fees in exchange for a commitment by the budding designer?

Appreciating that design can make a difference for people, finance and longevity of a project: convincing our clients that a bit more investment at the start will pay dividends in the future. The craziest ideas led to design solutions we now consider to be indispensable. We need to keep on dreaming and reinventing for a better world.

Hand in hand with this are pressures on fees, with studios being squeezed from both sides. Fee levels are on a downwards trajectory whilst fixed costs and salaries are going up. Creative solutions and bringing best value to our projects is what we do – we need to make sure that our clients appreciate what we add and are willing to pay a fair fee for our input.

2023 is the time for us to start doing our bit, no matter how small. I always loved the sentiment of the McCartney’s Meat-Free Mondays: a small sacrifice to get started, but if everyone does it a massive difference is made. Mondays can then lead to all week once you realise how easy it is.

t I na n or D en is a partner at conran anD partners, and has been a co-owner of the business since 2022