Case studies

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.

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.

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.

Leading a lifestyle with low environmental impact is a great intention, but can low income households afford it? Designers created a blueprint for energy saving with an investment service and an energy reduction service by working with local people.

Students, teachers, designers and the community of Walker Tech worked together to produce a brief for architects building their new school to ensure it wasn't isolated from their community and that it provided space that’s conducive to different sorts of learning.

How can people from a small rural community, where public transport is infrequent and expensive, get where they need to go without the need for new cars and roads? Designers developed a lift exchange programme and improved access to information about current public transport provision.

Designers know that crime happens but only some have created products, services , spaces or graphic communications that address crime.

Four designers teamed up with British manufacturers to develop and prototype five new pieces of hospital furniture. By sharing research and expertise, each team has designed a functional product that makes cleaning quicker and easier and eliminates dirt traps. Read more

We use packaging like it’s a never ending resource. Unpackaged, a North London social enterprise helps people use less unnecessary packaging. It worked with designers to create a local organic grocery store which helps local customers shop in a new packaging free way.

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. Find out how some companies invested in design and overcame a downturn

Advice on finding a web designer, working out what your business needs, deciding how your new website will work and keeping the project on time and on budget. From three small businesses that have got themselves a great website.

Brainstorming has given university researchers and technology transfer manager’s insights into the possibilities for a new technology - and brought them closer to commercialising it.

Design mentors helped scientists at Isis Innovation develop their wet floor detecting technology. Read more

Designers helped researchers commercialise an electricity meter that could help customers identify simple ways to make behavioural changes and save as much as 20% off energy bills.

Businesses who've had to find a designer tell you how they did it, and how they found working with them

In the highly competitive world of online commerce, a strong brand is essential if an internet retailer is to stand out from the crowd. Designing Demand helped Little Trekkers do just that

How do you drive forward an engineering firm with a strong reputation but an outdated image? Designing Demand helped Mechan create a new brand identity that gives a sense of the company’s quality, heritage and innovation
 

Historically phone bills have been as bland as a tin of condensed soup but T-Mobile saw an opportunity to make its bills more valuable as a regular interface between its brand and its customers.