Exploring the Research and Development in the Createch Sector

Report Highlights Role of Technology-Driven Innovation in Creative Industries

A recently published report contributes timely insights as UK policymakers review growth strategies for the creative industries. The study focuses on 'createch,' an emerging term that signifies the fusion of technology and innovation within the creative sector. Despite capturing attention, createch remains vaguely defined and under-researched. The report aims to propose a practical and scalable definition for researchers and policymakers.

According to the research, createch businesses and conventional technology companies share similarities in terms of employment, revenue, and growth. The level of research and development (R&D) investment for both sectors is also comparable. The report reveals that createch companies are equally likely to secure financing as their tech counterparts, with comparable perceived barriers to R&D.

However, there are distinct differences between createch firms and other technology companies. Createch businesses are more inclined to utilize user-centred design technologies, real-time game engines, or virtual production environments in their R&D activities. They tend to invest disproportionately in R&D through staff and contractor time rather than physical assets or equipment.

Strikingly, less than half of createch firms maintain specialized R&D departments, preferring to disperse R&D roles amongst individuals within the organization without designated R&D titles. Createch firms also hire more freelancers for R&D compared to tech companies.

Despite these differences, the report suggests that the future growth potential of createch businesses be prioritized, given their similar growth trajectory to that of conventional tech firms, a strategy UK policymakers have previously pursued for tech companies.

Image credit: Werner du Plessis, Unsplash

The enrichment data provides additional insights into createch's R&D investments, activities, and practices. These insights underscore:

Createch businesses prioritize innovation that enhances artistic, cultural, and user-experience value, with an emphasis on novel ways to blend digital technology with artistic expression.
Createch R&D practices frequently involve interdisciplinary collaborations among technology, arts, design, and cultural sectors.
Createch companies experiment with emerging technologies like AI, AR/VR, and digital multimedia to create immersive and interactive products, closely aligning technical innovation with creative outcomes.
Createch faces unique challenges such as funding limitations and the need for specialized skills development, shaping their R&D investment patterns differently from traditional tech firms.
To foster innovation in createch, targeted education and skill development are essential, as createch firms require a diverse workforce capable of blending digital technology with artistic expression.
The focus on blending digital technology with artistic expression demands an interdisciplinary approach, necessitating collaborations between technology, arts, design, and cultural sectors.
To remain competitive, createch companies are actively embracing emerging technologies like AI, AR/VR, and digital multimedia, seeking to create immersive and interactive products that drive creative outcomes.
The relatively higher prevalence of freelancers and less-formal R&D structures in createch businesses highlight the need for flexible and adaptable workforce models.
Given the continuous evolution of creative industries, ongoing research and monitoring of createch firms' R&D practices will be crucial for policymakers to develop appropriate finance and business strategies that support these talents and venture effectively.
To unlock the full potential of createch, it's essential to recognize the distinct ecosystem it represents and develop policies that accommodate this unique blend of technology, creativity, and business, ensuring ongoing prosperity for the creative industries.