Design recruitment bucks the employment downturn

Despite the general downturn in the UK economy, employment in the design sector is flourishing compared to last year's results, reports suggest.

Figures revealed by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) demonstrate a 14 per cent rise in people working in design professions and associated marketing jobs in Londonduring March to June 2008 compared to the same period last year.

There are now 11 per cent more people employed in graphic design jobs and 20 per cent more employees in fashion or product design.

Deborah Dawton, chief executive of the Design Business Association (DBA), told Design Week that "these significant increases are accounted for by new entrants to the industry, most of whom will be graduates".

"The current economic crisis has not yet had an impact on the design business, which has had a very good year," she added.

However, a poll conducted by the DBA has revealed that between May and the present day there has been a 15 per cent decline in design companies reporting strong business growth.

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