There has never actually been any type of tradition in design or in product innovation during the growth of Brazilian industry. However, as markets opened up all over the world, the Brazilian productive sector came to realize it was competing against imported products. Local industry was, hence, forced to invest increasingly and heavily in improving the quality of its products.

The central role of design dawned upon the country, seeing as it is a process capable of encompassing competitive advantages and of providing national products with both an identity and added value. Furthermore, it contributes to enhanced production procedures, hence reducing development time and its related costs. In order to convey this awareness to Brazilian companies, several public agencies – namely, the Ministério do Desenvolvimento, da Indústria e Comércio Exterior - MDIC (Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry and International Commerce) – not to mention private institutions such as the Sebrae (Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service) and the SENAI (Brazil’s National Industrial Training Service) began to channel investments into programs that foster a better use of design nationwide.

These programs have focused mainly on coordinating and promoting actions within the various states of Brazil and in the Arranjos Produtivos Locais – APLs (Local Productive Arrangements), enabling local institutions to provide companies with the necessary support, through which design management can be adopted in their own productive processes. This support comprises actions ranging from holding lectures on worldwide market trends to offering consulting services during the stages of creation of new products – services these which include pinpointing new opportunities, selecting materials, analyzing possible environmental impacts, among others. In the menu at the side of your screen, you can find out more about Brazil’s major programs that aim to promote the importance of design in the country. In addition, you can obtain further information about contributions being made by these programs in the area where you live.