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Innovative new technologies, systems and approaches to help older people stay well while living independent and fulfilling lives are to be developed through a new £2million programme called Independence Matters, announced today. The programme, delivered by the Technology Strategy Board and the Design Council, will see designers, industry, and young people working in partnership with older people to jointly develop and test new systems and services which tackle issues of mobility, healthy eating, staying fit and keeping connected to friends, family and the younger generation.

The man who changed the way many of us live and work by designing the world’s first laptop computer - Bill Moggridge RDI - has been named the winner of the 2010 Prince Philip Designers Prize by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony at the Design Council in London this evening, Tuesday 9th November.

British pubs are a step closer to being able to serve beer in safer pint glasses following the announcement by two major glassware suppliers about the development of new high tech glass-based vessels, one of which has entered trials in pubs.

From Olympic arenas to Punk fashion, Formula One to the first laptop: Britain’s design geniuses shortlisted for Prince Philip Designers Prize.

Designers responsible for the 2012 Olympics Aquatic Centre, Burberry macs, Formula One cars, the first laptop computer and the motorway signage system are among the nominees for this year’s prestigious Prince Philip Designers Prize, announced today.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), in partnership with the Design Council, today began the process of creating the torches for the 2012 Olympic  and Paralympic Torch Relays.

Schools in the South-East and South-West of England have been awarded a total of £26,000 after taking part in pioneering a new programme which sent top designers into schools to work with pupils and help them realise their own energy and water-saving plans.

The Design Council has welcomed yesterday’s landmark announcement by the Secretary of State for Health, that patients will be active participants in the design of NHS services.

The Design Council will continue its commitment to Designing Demand, its national design mentoring programme for SMEs, despite the announcement of the abolition of the RDAs through which the programme is currently delivered.

David Worthington has taken over from Jonathan Sands as the new chair of the UK Design Alliance.

The Design Council has announced a fund to help designers promote the benefits of design to business, putting design at the heart of economic growth.

Industry leaders join national debate amongst designers taking place on Friday 26 March to discuss implications for the industry.

Revolutionary ‘bed pods’ and screening systems, modular toilets and washrooms and a redesigned patient gown are just some of the design prototypes to improve patient privacy and dignity unveiled by Health Minister Ann Keen at the Design Council today.

Leading economists are supporting the Design Council’s call for businesses to use design to transform how they do business and compete as Britain’s industries battle to recover from the effects of the recession.

Three new design innovations to tackle mobile phone crime, including a device that locks a phone and alerts the owner if it is taken away from them, have been unveiled today.

Two revolutionary prototype pint glasses designed to reduce the terrible injuries caused by nearly 87,000 glass attacks each year, were unveiled at the Design Council today by the Home Secretary Alan Johnson.