PPP BLOG: The Business of Design

The UK Economy is the 7th largest in the world, and the 3rd largest in Europe.
We have one of the most globalised countries - we have a large international business influence.
The largest industries in the UK are aerospace, pharmaceuticals, North Sea oil and gas.

What is an Industry Sector?
They are an industry or market sharing common characteristics.

'A sector is one of a few general segments in the economy within which a large group of companies can be categorized. An economy can be broken down into about a dozen sectors, which can describe nearly all of the business activity in that economy. For example, the basic materials sector is the segment of the economy in which companies deal in the business of exploration, processing and selling the basic materials such as gold, silver or aluminum which are used by other sectors of the economy.'

Primary Sector

The primary sector of the economy extracts or harvests products from the Earth.

Subsistence or Commercial Agriculture

Mining

Forestry

Farming

Grazing

Fishing

Quarrying

Secondary Sector

The secondary sector of the economy manufactures finished goods.

Metal working and Smelting

Automobile production

Textile production

Aerospace manufacturing

Breweries and Bottlers

Construction

Shipbuilding

Tertiary Sector

The Service Industry

Retail

Wholesales

Transportation and Distribution

Entertainment

Restaurants

Health Services

Tourism

Banking

Insurance

Quarternary Sector

Consists of intellectual activities

Government

Culture

Libraries

Research

Education

Industry sectors are important because they allow for more in depth analysis of the economy as a whole. They also allow us to predict trends, and understand finance and commodities.

Helps to identify gaps in the market, look at sectors of influence, predict what a specific area is looking for.

Why do we need to be aware of industry sectors?

To predict trends and keep us aware of which audience we should be targeting.

The Service Industries

Primarily generate revenue by providing often tangible services or products.

Can be divided into 3 further sectors

Public Sector

Provides basic government, state or publicly owned services.

Includes police, military, public roads, transport and education.

Free at the point of delivery, noone can be excluded from the services, (street lamps, emergency services etc)

Often of benefit to the whole of society.

Encourage and support the development of equal opportunities

Departments include Department of Health, Ministry of Defence, Department of Agriculture etc.

Private Sector

Not controlled by the state, run by individuals and companies for a profit

Most jobs held here, although this differs in countries like the Republic of China, where the government exerts considerable power over the economy.

Part of national economy driven by private investments and enterprises. Includes the personal and corporate sector, responsible for allocating, distributing and accessing most of the resources within the economy.

May benefit society but the primary focus is to generate profit for the individuals and companies.

Third Sector

Voluntary and Not for Profit Organisations

Community groups, self help, charitable associations, voluntary and community organisations.

This sector is increasingly central to the health and well being of society, indicative of a healthy economy.

Service Industries = Creative Industries, Education, Health and Social Work, Hotels and Restaurants, Transport, Storage and Communication, Wholesale and Retail Trade.

The Creative Industries refers to a wide range of economic activities which are concerned with the generation and exploitation of knowledge and information. Also referred to as the cultural industries.

Broad domain of activities related to creative work. Have the potential for wealth and job creation.

Advertising, Architecture, Graphic Design, Designer Fashion, TV, Radio, Game Industry, Animation Industry, Film Industry, Publishing.

Taken from The Business of Design document