Confidence in the design economy lifts slightly
NEW YORK—November 13,
2012. AIGA’s Design Leaders Confidence Index strengthened
in the most recent quarter. For the third quarter of 2012, the index gained,
climbing from 94.92 to 100.51.
Responses to this quarterly survey of more than 350 design
leaders demonstrate continuing optimism within the design profession. Since the
third quarter of 2009, the index has fluctuated in a range roughly between 90
and 105, after having dropped to 50 in the third quarter of 2008.
Only 9.5 percent of respondents believe the economy as a
whole has worsened in the past six months, with slightly fewer (9.1 percent) estimating
that the design economy was worse in September than it was in April. While only approximately 4 percent were wildly enthusiastic about the design or general economies (rating either of them as “substantially better”), there was a strong sense that business conditions had not weakened—or were better.
When looking ahead six months, 56 percent thought the
general economy would improve and 59.7 percent thought design business would
improve; 35.9 percent thought it would remain about the same and only 4.4
percent thought design business conditions would soften.
In terms of hiring and growth, 88 percent feel their
likelihood of hiring additional staff is the same or better than it was three
months ago; 88 percent believe their likelihood of investing in hardware and
software is also the same or better.
The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™, which asks
similar questions of corporate CEOs, declined in both the second and the third
quarters. The measure currently stands at 42, down from 47 in the previous
quarter (a reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative
responses). Observers of business confidence have generally credited the
uncertainty surrounding the fall election and the impending “fiscal cliff” as the
cause for faltering business confidence in the economy.
This measure of CEO confidence in the economy declined despite other measures experiencing
positive directions. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had
increased in September, improved again in October. The Index now stands at 72.2,
up from 68.4 in September. Other indicators tracked by the Conference Board
include the Employment Trends Index, which is up; Help Wanted Online, which is
down; and the Leading Economic Index, which rose slightly. For more
information, see www.conference-board.org.
About AIGA
AIGA is the professional association for design, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to advancing design as a professional craft, strategic
tool and vital cultural force. Founded in 1914, AIGA today serves more than
22,000 members through 66 chapters and 200 student groups throughout the United
States. AIGA stimulates thinking about design, demonstrates the value of design
and empowers the success of designers at each stage of their careers.
For further information, please contact:
Jennifer Bender, director of communications and marketing
AIGA | the professional association for design