Design Economy
Discover the economic, social and environmental value of design in the UK.
What is Design Economy?
Design Economy is the UK’s most comprehensive exploration of the value of design—economic, social, and environmental. Published every three years by the Design Council, it’s the only research of its kind, offering data-driven insights into the role of design in driving growth, fostering sustainability, and shaping a fairer future.
Building on a legacy of ground-breaking reports, the latest research—carried out across 2021 to 2024—pushes boundaries by spotlighting how design can power the green transition and address pressing skills gaps. As the Design Council celebrates 80 years of championing innovation, Design Economy takes centre stage in revealing how design can help build a just, regenerative, and thriving UK economy.
2025
The Environmental and Social Value of Design
Case studies
Explore a selection of our most recent green design business case studies, showcasing innovative approaches to sustainability across various industries. From regenerative urban planning to zero-waste craftsmanship, these stories highlight the tangible impact of sustainable design. For extended versions and even more inspiring examples, get in touch.
Big Motive
Category: Service Design
Location: Northern Ireland
Key Message: Designing for flood resilience
John Lewis Partnership
Category: Fashion Design
Location: London
Key Message: Circular fashion for future generations
Orangebox
Category: Product Design
Locations: Cardiff, London
Key Message: Sustainable office furniture innovation
Panasonic
Category: Product/Industrial Design
Location: London
Key Message: Strategic design for sustainability
Planit
Category: Built Environment
Location: Greater Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Gloucestershire
Key Message: Moving beyond sustainable to regenerative design
Studio Amos
Category: Craft
Location: Southeast England
Key Message: Local materials for global sales, preserving indigenous willow
Studio Frostwood
Category: Craft
Location: Scotland
Key Message: Zero waste in the pottery studio
SUEZ
Category: Service Design
Location: Bristol/Global
Key Message: Redesigning industrial waste systems
Public Design Beyond Central Government
How is design transforming public services beyond Whitehall? This report draws on Design Economy research data and the Design Council’s long-standing experience supporting innovation in the public sector to explore the growing role of design across local authorities, the NHS, emergency services, and more. Packed with insights from practitioners and real-world examples, it shows how design is helping to deliver better outcomes for people, places, and public systems — even in the face of shrinking budgets. It sets out what’s working, what’s getting in the way, and what needs to happen next.
2024
The Green Design Skills Gap
2022
People, Places and Economic Value (2021–2024 report)
2021
The Design Value Framework
The Design Value Framework
We have developed a framework for designers and commissioners to identify and assess the wider social, environmental and democratic impacts of their work.
The framework builds on design sector specific tools, and provides, for the first time, a single framework for the whole of the design economy to use together, and across a holistic set of values.
2018
Design Economy
Design Economy 2018
Designing a Future Economy
2015
Design Economy
Design Economy 2015
