Design Academy
Helping your organisation to design new solutions to the challenges you face.
The Design Council’s Design Academy helps organisations embed design into strategy, governance and delivery.
Our programmes equip commissioners, leaders and project teams with the tools to make better decisions about the places, services and systems they shape.
From short systemic design workshops to multi-cohort academies and executive leadership programmes, each Academy builds the capability to deliver people-centred, place-based and planet-positive outcomes.
Grounded in the Design Council’s trusted methodologies - including the Double Diamond, Systemic Design Framework and Skills for Planet Blueprint - our programmes help organisations move from design awareness to design leadership.
Design Academy for Network Rail
The Buildings & Architecture Academy was developed with Network Rail to strengthen design capability across its infrastructure programme.
Since 2022, the programme has supported over 170 colleagues from across Network Rail, including engineers, architects, asset managers, sponsors and sustainability specialists. By bringing together participants from different disciplines and regions, the Academy has helped build a stronger shared understanding of how design can improve passenger experience, safety, sustainability and long-term value across the railway estate.
The programme combines two immersive in-person workshop blocks with online learning and Action Learning Sets, enabling participants to apply design frameworks and tools directly to real infrastructure challenges.
Evaluation of recent cohorts shows the programme is helping embed a stronger culture of design across Network Rail. 95% of participants reported an increased understanding of the value of design, with many gaining confidence in applying human-centred design methods and collaborating across disciplines. Participants noted that the combination of expert insight, practical tools and real-world examples helped them translate design principles into everyday project decision-making.
Work with us
Use design to unlock opportunities, solve complex challenges and grow capability.
Better business by design
Five ways leading businesses are harnessing design for good growth.
Design for Planet
This is our mission and a call to action to put the planet at the heart of design.
Skills for Planet
Want to put Design for Planet in practice? Explore our Blueprint to find and develop the skills you need.
Resources
Explore resources for designers and non-designers to learn about how to design inclusively and for our planet.
Policy and advocacy
We believe that design can power the UK for a better future. Find out how we’re advocating with government for designers and a planet-centred future.
Our book
Discover the designs, designers and Design Council initiatives that have shaped British design history over eight transformational decades.