Design Leaders Confidence Index drops in third quarter

NEW YORK, November 26, 2007. At the third quarter mark for 2007, AIGA’s Design Leaders Confidence Index registered its lowest rating since it was created in April 2005. This drop mirrors other readings of the current economy, amid concerns about the mortgage industry and jitters over oil prices and inflation.

The Design Leaders Confidence Index is modeled after the index created by the Conference Board for private sector corporate leaders. It is based on the quarterly responses to six simple questions, by several hundred design leaders across the United States.

The latest reading of 86.66 indicates concern that weakened demand will trigger reduced revenues for business, leading to a reduction in the demand for design services.

The next survey will be conducted in late January 2008.

For more information, visit www.aiga.org/confidence-index.

About AIGA
AIGA, the professional association for design, is the oldest and largest membership association for design professionals engaged in the discipline, practice and culture of designing. AIGA’s mission is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force.

Founded in 1914, AIGA is the pre-eminent professional association for communication designers, broadly defined. In the past decade, designers have increasingly been involved in creating value for clients (whether public or business) through applying design thinking to complex problems, even when the outcomes may be more strategic, multi-dimensional and conceptual than what most would consider traditional communication design. AIGA now represents more than 20,000 designers of all disciplines through national activities and local programs developed by 59 chapters and 200 student groups.

AIGA supports the interests of professionals, educators and students who are engaged in the process of designing. The association is committed to stimulating thinking about design, demonstrating the value of design and empowering success for designers throughout the arc of their careers.

For further information, please contact:
Katie English
AIGA | the professional association for design
Tel 212 710 3136   Fax 212 807 1799
katie_english@aiga.org