Creative design and innovation

What we do with cultural heritage is partly determined by economic factors. Design plays a crucial role in the cultural economy. A comparison of the first generation of mobile phones with those currently on the market, reveals how important 'design' is for functionality and user possibilities. The same is true for more traditional heritage objects and practices such as clothing, furniture and everyday user goods. Design is important for both commercial success and the expression of personal identity. How creative design and cultural heritage can contribute to innovation is an important research question.