Our stories are studies in success that make the case for design

Case studies

Design Council Magazine

DCM 7 front coverCase studies from the seven issues of the Design Council Magazine.

Designs to overcome a downturn

When times are tough and revenues are falling there may be a temptation for business to cut ‘discretionary’ budgets - money allocated to activities such as design, perhaps.

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Volatile organic compound recognition

How university researchers secured more than £250k in funding by using design to clarify what their technology could do. 

Innovate for Universities: Hydrogen storage

Hydrogen storage

How Innovate for Universities is helping to speeding up the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cells at University College London using design techniques

Innovate for Universities case study: Light powered water cleaning technology

Light powered water cleaning technology

How Innovate for Universities is helping the University of Aberdeen secure a manufacturing partner to help take a water cleaning technology to market

Innovate for Universities case study: Smart, fitness-detecting vibration muscle exerciser

Vibration muscle exerciser

How Innovate for Universities is helping the University of Aberdeen use design to attract investment for a smart, fitness-detecting vibration muscle exerciser

Northern Way worklessness pilot: Sunderland City Council

Northern Way worklessness pilot

Government has been told it’s economically rational to spend £62,000 to get a longterm unemployed person on Incapacity Benefit back in to work. Using service design methods has helped Sunderland City Council cut that figure to just £5,000.

Public Services by Design case study: HMRC and Companies House

HMRC

HMRC is working with designers through the Design Council’s Public Services by Design support programme, to see how design thinking and techniques can help it the streamline the process of incorporating a company.

Public Services by Design case study: What Supports Independent Living at NE IEP

NE IEP

The North East Improvement and Efficiency Partnership's What Supports Independent Living is working with designers through the Design Council’s Public Services by Design support programme, to see how design thinking and techniques can help it the transform social care services in the North East.

Case studies: Design for Patient Dignity

Design for Patient Dignity

Discover the innovative new designs that show how different privacy and dignity issues for hospital patients could be solved.

University of Sussex: design thinking increases intake

University of Sussex

The University of Sussex was struggling to stand out from the hundreds of other institutions until the launch of a distinctive new identity helped deliver a significant increase in applications from students.

FeONIC: from university research to commercial success

FeONIC

How should a company commercialise a new technology? FeONIC worked with designers to create a new brand and a range of internationally award-winning products. 

Optac: digital products for people who prefer manual

Optac

Designing a product to replace a much-used analogue device with a modern digital equivalent is one thing. Designing it for a group of people with limited IT skills, who don’t want, but have, to make the change, requires a whole new approach

Using graphic design in your business

Using graphic design

We've talked to five small businesses to find out how they have used different sorts of graphic design and why.

Nike: sustaining the Pegasus running shoe

Nike

Turning a classic trainer into a sustainable star for the future.

Dott 07: Urban Farming

Urban Farming

Global food systems are not sustainable. Designers helped co-ordinate 1,000 people to grow, cook and eat food produced within the city limits of Middlesbrough.

Dott 07: Eco Design Challenge

Eco Design Challenge

How can young people concerned about the environment take practical action to improve their immediate surroundings? Designers helped 16,000 students from across the North East calculate the carbon footprint of their school.

Dott 07: Design and Sexual Health

DaSH

How can sexual health services be made easier to access and use – and less stigmatised? Designers worked with local health services to identify people’s needs and design a user-centred sexual health service.

Dott 07: Alzheimer 100

Alzheimer 100

What practical steps can be taken to improve daily life for people with dementia – and that of their carers? Designers generated four ideas, from cafés to concierges, including the implementation of a Dementia Signposting Service and a volunteer mentoring scheme.

Dott 07: New Work

New Work

Working in a very small business can be difficult. Designers helped six micro businesses in the North East get together to share their experiences and develop solutions to common problems.

Case studies

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