Design Economy 2018 executive summary

Report
26/06/2018

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Inside you will find

  • A breakdown of the true value of design to the UK economy
  • A regional breakdown of design hotspots and clusters
  • Updated statistics about the UK’s design exports, employment and productivity
  • Findings on business design use from over 1000 businesses
  • Short excerpts from two case studies of businesses using design
  • International comparisons

This will interest

  • Designers
  • Business leaders
  • Local and central government
  • Academics, economists, statisticians and research professionals

The Design Economy 2018 is the Design Council's report on the state of design in the UK, and its value to the economy. It expands on our previous research in 2015, and in addition to exploring the supply of design firms and designers, also explores how the rest of the UK business population interacts with them, and what the demand for design is.

Credits

  • Authors: Sally Benton, Stephen Miller, Sophie Reid
  • Art Direction: Calum Spence
  • Illustration: Kouzou Sakai – Folio Art
  • Research: Enterprise Research Centre, BMG Research, BOP Consulting

Contact

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News & opinion

Uniti cars
Uniti cars

Uniti cars: From Sweden to Silverstone, the electric car revolution Swedish automotive start-up Uniti’s first eco-friendly city car will be built at a facility in Silverstone Park, home of the British Formula 1 Grand Prix. Swedish automotive start-up Uniti’s first eco-friendly city car will be built at a facility in Silverstone Park, home of British Formula 1.

Feature — 11/12/2018
City ID
City ID

London isn’t the only option – the growth of regional creative hubs Mike Rawlinson, Design Director and Founder of City ID, a city information and wayfinding design company based in Bristol, tells us how his organisation has benefited from being local and the introduction of their design award for students. Mike Rawlinson, Design Director and Founder of City ID, tells us how his organisation has benefited from being local

Feature — 11/12/2018
Design Economy 2018 map
Design Economy 2018 map

Watch: The Design Economy 2018 – Localisation The design, creativity and innovation that takes place in the regions throughout the UK, and how firms do not have to be based in London to flourish. Design throughout the regions of the UK, and how firms do not have to be based in London to flourish.

Feature — 10/12/2018
The Guardian
The Guardian

The Guardian: The benefits of design thinking Earlier this year The Guardian underwent a print and online redesign led by creative directors with the input of senior designers and editors. Here Alex Breuer, Executive Creative Director and Tara Herman, Executive Editor, Design tell us about how they feel design thinking benefited them. Alex Breuer, Executive Creative Director and Tara Herman, Executive Editor, Design tell us how design thinking has benefited The Guardian.

Feature — 21/11/2018

Our response to the 2018 budget If the Chancellor is to “meet the needs of a new age” investing in design, across the economy, is a key part of the solution. If the Chancellor is to “meet the needs of a new age” investing in design, across the economy, is a key part of the solution.

News — 30/10/2018

Resources

Page/Park
Page/Park

The Design Economy 2018 – Page/Park Page\Park Architects is a renowned Glasgow based mid-sized architecture practice which has designed many iconic public buildings across Scotland. The firm is employee-owned and architects at all levels take an active role in the day-to-day running of the firm. A renowned Glasgow based mid-sized architecture practice which has designed many iconic public buildings across Scotland.

Case study — 11/12/2018
The Guardian
The Guardian

The Design Economy 2018 – The Guardian The Guardian is a news publication of The Guardian Media Group. It has a long history of strong design culture and a highly ‘design literate’ readership. The Guardian is a news publication of The Guardian Media Group. It has a long history of strong design culture and a highly ‘design literate

Case study — 14/11/2018
Monzo card
Monzo card

The Design Economy 2018 – Monzo How the creators of the banking sector's most iconic new bank card use design to build trust and differentiate themselves to customers and investors. Design-led innovation in the banking sector.

Case study — 10/10/2018
Studio Moross
Studio Moross

The Design Economy 2018 – Studio Moross Studio Moross is an interdisciplinary design and creative studio, specialising in work for the music industry, entertainment sector, consumer packaged goods, and food and beverages. Here, they discuss how their culture of collaboration and openness is tackling a lack of diversity in design. Tackling a lack of diversity in design.

Case study — 17/09/2018