# Event Details - **Event Name**: Design-led innovation in Scotland: Make it right, make it here, make it now - **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 at 12:30 pm – Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 at 04:30 pm (+01:00) - **Event Description**: Join us to discover how design-led innovation can de-risk ideas, improve manufacturing, and help Scottish businesses scale with confidence.About this EventDesign-led innovation in Scotland: Make it right, make it here, make it now.Join us for this awareness raising event for Scottish manufacturing businesses exploring how strong design at the early stages of innovation can help turn ideas into scalable, manufacturable products and processes. The event will explore how good design, applied early in the innovation process, can help businesses reduce risk, avoid costly mistakes and move more effectively from idea to production.Through expert insight, case studies and discussion, delegates will learn how design-led innovation can reduce risk, improve productivity, support automation readiness and strengthen the journey from idea to production.The session will also highlight the wider ecosystem of support available in Scotland, including how organisations such as Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray, Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service and the Glasgow School of Art Highlands and Islands campus can help businesses turn ideas into practical, investable and scalable opportunities.The agenda includes networking, an optional tour of MICM, expert presentations, a live or practical case study, and a panel discussion exploring how early design thinking can improve productivity, reduce cost and strengthen the path to automation.The event is for businesses that want to develop better products, reduce wasted time and cost, and improve how they turn ideas into manufactured products. It will also be of interest to those supporting product development and innovation, including engineers, designers, and innovation leads.These events are delivered by Scotland’s three enterprise agencies – Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise – in partnership with NMIS, Scottish Engineering and 4c Design.They form part of Making Scotland’s Future, a national collaboration supporting a strong, resilient and innovative manufacturing sector.To find out what business support is available in Scotland https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/We often use photography and/or video footage at our events to promote Highlands and Islands Enterprise. If you don’t want your photo to be taken or to be filmed, please let the event organiser know in advance. You’ll find HIE’s full privacy statement online https://www.hie.co.uk/legal/privacypolicy/Accessibility noteWe aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or questions about how we can support you in attending our events, please contact hie.marketing@hient.co.uk.Agenda🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:10 PMLunch and networkingInfo: Arrival, soup/sandwich lunch and an opportunity to connect with others before the event begins. 🕑: 01:10 PM - 01:30 PMOptional tour of MICMInfo: A short optional tour introducing the facilities and capability available through MICM.🕑: 01:30 PM - 01:45 PMWelcome and scene settingHost: Gary Aitchison, Scottish Manufacturing Advisory ServiceInfo: An introduction to the role of design in helping businesses innovate more effectively, reduce risk and build solutions that are ready to scale🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:15 PMMake it Right: Designing innovation well from the startHost: Will Mitchell, 4C DesignInfo: Discover how innovation centres can help turn ideas into reality. This session will explore how design-led innovation supports businesses through testing, prototyping and scaling production, with access to specialist facilities, expertise and support to accelerate innovation and growth.🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:45 PMMake it Here: Testing, prototyping and scaling productionHost: Greg Craunstoun, Manufacturing Innovation Centre MorayInfo: Discover how innovation centres can help turn ideas into reality. This session will explore how design-led innovation supports businesses through testing, prototyping and scaling production, with access to specialist facilities, expertise and support to accelerate innovation and growth.🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:00 PMCoffee break🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PMMake it Now: Support to move from idea to commercialisationHost: Caroline MacLellan, Highlands and Islands Enterprise;Info: Discover how innovation can unlock new opportunities for your organisation. This session will introduce Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s Innovation Programme 2026–2029, highlighting how the service has evolved and the support available across the region. Learn how innovation expertise, practical guidance and targeted funding can help turn ideas into action, accelerate growth and create lasting impact. Keith Wilcox of Lodestone Leashes will share his experience of developing an innovative automatic-release leash for paddleboarders. Keith will reflect on the journey from initial concept through design, product development and commercialisation, including the challenges encountered along the way. He will also discuss the importance of design, manufacturing for scale, intellectual property protection and the external support that helped bring the product to market, sharing key lessons learned and insights for others embarking on an innovation journey.🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PMPanel discussion and Q&AInfo: A facilitated discussion with the audience exploring how early design thinking can make innovation more productive, reduce cost and risk, and help businesses avoid common mistakes when developing products, processes or automation projects.🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:00 PMClose - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/forres/design-led-innovation-in-scotland-make-it-right-make-it-here-make-it-now/100001992346018574 - **Event Categories**: art, business - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 4 hours - Location: The Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM) - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: Forres - **state**: SC - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: The Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM) - **lat**: 57.6143076 - **long**: -3.5747356 - **full address**: The Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM), 3 Enterprise Court, Forres, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Design-led innovation in Scotland: Make it right, make it here, make it now - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/6bf005d3d0ac5ee5f9b2d5a06cfce9e732b4d083349f83d9718a7b17574e01c7-rimg-w1200-h600-dc03172e-gmir.jpg?v=1783362168 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Design-led innovation in Scotland: Make it right, make it here, make it now being held? - **A:** Design-led innovation in Scotland: Make it right, make it here, make it now takes place on Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 at 12:30 pm to Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 at 04:30 pm at The Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM), 3 Enterprise Court, Forres, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Who is organizing Design-led innovation in Scotland: Make it right, make it here, make it now? - **A:** Design-led innovation in Scotland: Make it right, make it here, make it now is organized by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Design-led innovation in Scotland: Make it right, make it here, make it now is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Forres, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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