The aim of The RED Initiative is to enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the East Midlands region to implement Resource Efficient Design in their products and services.
// RED Product – works with design consultancies and manufacturers to design and develop products whilst reducing their environmental impact. // RED Retail – focusing on energy efficient design for retail interiors, RED can help you transform, update and refresh your retail environment to provide a new look for your customers whilst reducing your energy bills.
Funded by The East Midlands Development Agency and based at the Faculty of Art and Design at De Montfort University, The RED Iinitiative is able to offer free, practical, individually tailored Resource Efficient Design advice.
The RED Intiative is an industry based program that intends to respond the needs of businesses. The program offers advice and assistance in reducing your businesses environmental impact whilst achieving the attractive and affordable design solutions that you require.
The program is open to small and medium enterprises within the East Midlands.
// MANUFACTURERS - Whether you currently have a product you would like to refine/update? Or you are looking to broaden your business The RED Initiative is keen to discuss your project requirements.
// DESIGN CONSULTANCIES - Whether you have a client who is interested in developing a product with environmental factors in mind or if you want to able to offer a cleaner design service we are able to offer tailored assistance.
There will also be opportunities for design consultancies to work with manufacturers in developing new RED Product concepts.
// YOUR BUSINESS - If you think that you could
contribute to or benefit from The RED Initiative we’d
like to hear from you to discuss potential opportunities
– contacts.
We are keen to respond to the individual needs of companies.
A project would start with a meeting to discuss the requirements of your company and how you would best benefit from working with The RED Initiative.
If you’re not sure how you would best benefit we may do an analysis of your product in potential development areas such as materials or materials reduction, new technologies, potential collaboration with a design consultancy, further project funding etc. Following analysis of your needs we would go on to identify required resources and necessary funding.
The RED Initiative intends to respond to the needs of SMEs - whether you have a specific idea or would like to discuss how to get involved in the programme, please feel free to get in touch.
The RED Initiative team can be contacted either by
email (design@dmu.ac.uk)
or by telephoning
0116 250 6238.
As an East Midlands Development Agency (emda)
funded programme, The RED Initiative is able to work
with local businesses and offer a consultancy service
in tangent with the research and development
resources at De Montfort University,
FREE OF CHARGE.
In addition to The RED Initiative team which includes experienced product and retail designers, The RED Initiative links to a wealth of sustainable and design consultants.
DMU Design at De Montfort University also controls a wealth of resources and equipment, such as the advanced rapid prototyping machines in the New Product Development Centre, available to local business that can be used to develop and demonstrate new technologies within design projects.
RED Product is a programe run within the Faculty of Art and Design at De Montfort University, which has its main campus situated in Leicester city centre. The RED Initiative works with Small to Medium-sized companies across the whole of the East Midlands
Is my business eligible for assistance under The RED Initiative?
In order to receive support from the European Union, your business must meet certain requirements:
// Fewer than 250 employees // Not more than 25% owned by an enterprise that in itself is not an SME // Located within the East Midlands // An annual turnover less than 40 million Euros, // Or, a balance sheet less than 27 million Euros
