Design Economy
Our landmark research series demonstrates the economic, social and environmental value of design to better understand the current state of design in the UK and its potential for the future.
Design Economy considers the diversity of the design sector, how well it is responding to people’s different wants and needs, its vital role in levelling up the UK’s regional economies, and the changes that must be made to ensure that design works for everyone.
Design Economy: 2018 found that
£85.2 bn 
1.69m 1.3 m 68 % 78 k 30 % Explore our Design Economy series
Design & STEM
Is the UK economy being damaged by our design education policy?
1 May 2019
In the UK, the design economy is booming. It generated £85.2bn in gross value added to the UK in 2016. However, continuing success looks shaky. A shortage of talent afflicts the industry, and its roots are in education policy....
What makes a knowledgeable, talented, and skilled designer?
1 May 2019
Yasushi Kusume is Innovation and Creative Manager at IKEA and formerly headed up branding and design for companies like Electrolux and Philips. We asked him what constitutes a great designer, and where the concept of ‘design...
Framework for Innovation: Design Council's evolved Double Diamond
17 May 2019
Design Council’s framework for innovation helps designers and non-designers across the globe tackle some of the most complex social, economic and environmental problems. It is a fundamental part of our work: enabling us to support...
Localisation
Uniti cars: From Sweden to Silverstone, the electric car revolution
11 December 2018
The demand in electric cars is increasing. Elon Musk has said he wants electric vehicles to be successful even if it means Tesla going bust. Swedish automotive start-up Uniti’s first eco-friendly city car will be built at...
London isn’t the only option – the growth of regional creative hubs
11 December 2018
Our Design Economy 2018 report shows that despite one in three design firms being based in London and the south-east, every other UK region (bar Northern Ireland) has experienced growth in the number of design firms since 2010....
Dundee: Think global, act local
11 December 2018
Dundee has gained a reputation as ‘Britain’s coolest little city’ and a worldwide ‘hot destination’. Here Mike Press, Co-Director of Open Change a service design and innovation company, and Emeritus Professor of Design Policy at...
How design benefits business
The Guardian: The benefits of design thinking
21 November 2018
Earlier this year The Guardian underwent a rebrand introducing a new font, masthead and a tabloid format. Design thinking has not only helped them change their funding model and boost revenue but also to adapt their culture and...
The Design Economy 2018 – Fjord
14 November 2018
As part of our flagship Design Economy 2018 research, we present seven case studies, which bring to life how a selection of different firms use design in practice. For an introduction to the case studies, please see here. This...
The Design Economy 2018 – The Guardian
14 November 2018
As part of our flagship Design Economy 2018 research, we present seven case studies, which bring to life how a selection of different firms use design in practice. For an introduction to the case studies, please see here. The...
Diversity & Inclusion
The Design Economy 2018 – Studio Moross
17 September 2018
As part of our flagship Design Economy 2018 research, we present seven case studies, which bring to life how a selection of different firms use design. For an introduction to the case studies, please see here. Studio Moross is an...
Diversity and business performance – is there a link?
13 August 2018
Why Design Council commissioned the research Diversity and inclusion underpin Design Council’s values, delivery and research. Design is about understanding the needs of diverse populations, individuals and businesses and so there...
Podcast: Sarah Weir, on how design, diversity and inclusion are linked
17 September 2018
What do you think of when you hear diversity and inclusion? What impact does diversity and inclusion have on your life? How are design, diversity and inclusion linked? These are some of the questions which will be answered in...
Innovation
Monzo: Designing good mental health into the way we bank
17 October 2018
Research has found that mental health conditions can have an impact on spending, something which banks and financial institutions often neglect. Zander Brade, Lead Product Designer at Monzo, talked to Design Council about the...
The Design Economy 2018 – Monzo
10 October 2018
As part of our flagship Design Economy 2018 research, we present seven case studies, which bring to life how a selection of different firms use design. For an introduction to the case studies, please see here. Monzo is a digital...
Video: The link between design and innovation
10 October 2018
Sally Benton, Director of Policy & Communication at Design Council talks with Alistair Kitching from Reece Innovation about the importance of design and innovation to find solutions to everyday challenges and the part design plays...