Free guides for small businesses and the public sector

Whether you're looking for examples of how design could benefit your business, or tips on how to find and work with a designer, our free guides offer practical advice and real-life examples from the working world.

Coca-Cola bottles, designed by Turner Duckworth

The power of branding

We have created this free guide to shed some light on the subject of branding; what it is, how it works and how you can use it to help improve your business or the perception of your service.

Close up of a hand using a computer mouse

Getting a great website

Get 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.

A designer and client in conversation

Finding a designer

This step-by-step guide explains the process of finding and working with a designer – focusing on your needs and ensuring you get the most out of the project.

Dear Architect design brief

Briefing

A free Design Council guide on how to write a design brief for small businesses, public services and anyone commissioning a designer

Inventor Trevor Baylis and his wind-up radio

Invention

Our short guide to invention asks, just how does a novel idea become a new product or service? There's plenty of advice on who can help you develop your invention.

own-it logo

Intellectual Property

This short guide to Intellectual Property explains why, with more than 4 million patents in force worldwide, it’s not just global companies that need to watch out for infringers and plagiarists.

Philips my heart innovation

Innovation

Innovation is what most companies rely on to fuel business growth. After all, in a competitive economic climate, can you really afford to rely on business as usual?

Thomas Heatherwick's design for the British pavillion at the Shanghai expo 2010

International Markets

UK companies are realising that creativity, innovation and design assets are a vital source of competitive advantage entering international markets or responding to competition.

Service design

We've compiled a free online resource that explains what service design is and what it can do for businesses and public services.