Design leaders maintain confidence in the design economy's growth
NEW YORK—May 14,
2012. AIGA’s Design Leaders Confidence Index
rose again in the most recent quarter. For the first quarter of 2012, the index
rose from 100.71 to 104.15—the second highest level of confidence since AIGA
began monitoring confidence in the first quarter of 2005.
Responses to this quarterly survey of more than 350 design
leaders demonstrate a continuing surge of optimism in the design industry. For
instance, less than 7 percent believe the overall economy is worse now than six
months ago, although slightly more (8 percent) feel the design economy is worse
than in October 2011. Just over 80 percent think it will be the same or
moderately better in six months, and 10.8 percent believe it will be
substantially better.
Looking ahead, nearly all respondents are confident that the
broader economy will improve over the next six months (95.8 percent) and also
believe this economic growth will drive improvements in the design economy in
the next six months (96.3 percent).
In terms of hiring, only 11.9 percent feel their likelihood
of hiring additional staff has weakened in the past quarter. The optimism of
the respondents also affects their willingness to acquire hardware and
software: 46.2 percent believe they are more likely to invest in technology
tools today than in January 2012; fewer than 9.3 percent expect to be less
likely to invest (44.5 percent believe it remains the same).
In other measures of private sector sentiment toward
economic conditions, The Conference
Board Measure of CEO Confidence™ continued to improve, crossing the line
where more CEOs are positive about the economy than negative. Nearly 70 percent
say conditions have improved compared to six months ago, up from just 17
percent last quarter. A similar improvement is reflected in the assessment of
their own industries: Forty-two percent of business leaders claim conditions
have improved, compared with only 16 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011.
This optimism continues into the
short-term future. Currently, about 59 percent of business leaders foresee an
improvement in economic conditions over the next six months, up from 32 percent
in the fourth quarter.
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.
Learn more at aiga.org/about.
For further information, please contact: Jennifer
Bender
AIGA | the professional association for design
Tel 212 710 3136 Fax 212 807 1799