innovate 6 - Helen Hamlyn Centre - Royal College of Art

Julia CassimEditor, Innovate,Research Fellow, HelenHamlyn Research Centre>editorialWelcome to the latest issue of innovatewhich describes the six new designprototypes generated by the DBA DesignChallenge 2003, a joint initiative betweenthe Design Business Association and theHelen Hamlyn Research Centre at theRoyal College of Art.Now in its fourth year, the DBA DesignChallenge has become one of the mosteagerly awaited events in the designcalendar and an important catalyst forinclusive design. More design firms thanever before lined up to take part and theshortlisted projects proved beyond doubtthat working closely with key user groupscan unlock hidden innovation potential innew products and services.Designing inclusively for the mainstreamwhile including the needs ofdisabled people is tough. Why do thedesigners take up the challenge? One canthink of the Disability Discrimination Act,due to become law in October 2004.This will have huge implications forthousands of small firms both in the way1