Our ground-breaking research provides evidence on the impact and value of design. We explore design’s role in economic development, tackling societal challenges and delivering inclusive places, to help us better understand and use design across the UK. The links here take you through to some of our key reports, but if your want isn’t listed below, please visit our resources or news and opinion pages.

Our Design sector research

Built Environment:

Public Sector & Social innovation:

Business Innovation:

Measuring the value of design:

Design Education:

Science and technology:

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We have a number of ways where we work in partnership with charities, governments and corporations. If you are interested in finding out more please get in touch.

Our Design sector research

Further reading

KiwiCo: Inspiring the next generation of designers To find out who is out there developing educational solutions to design, we spoke to KiwiCo whose mission is to support kids’ creativity and encourage them to be makers and innovators. We spoke to KiwiCo, whose mission is to support kids’ creativity and encourage them to be makers and innovators.

Feature — 31/01/2019
Design Economy 2018 map
Design Economy 2018 map

Can the North lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution? The North can lead the fourth industrial revolution as it did the first. To achieve this however, we need to invest in design and, importantly, design skills. To achieve this however, we need to invest in design and, importantly, design skills.

Feature — 31/01/2019
Design Economy 2018
Design Economy 2018

The importance of design education Sarah Weir, Design Council CEO and Steven Kyffin, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University talk about design education at the launch of the Design Economy 2018 at the Great Exhibition of the North. Sarah Weir, Design Council CEO and Steven Kyffin, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Northumbria University talk about the importance of design education.

Feature — 31/01/2019
Design Economy 2018 education
Design Economy 2018 education

Watch: The Design Economy 2018 – Education Malcolm Garret, Creative Director of Images & Co, talks about the importance of design education at the launch of the Design Economy 2018 at the Great Exhibition of the North. Malcolm Garret, Creative Director of Images & Co, talks about the importance of design education at the launch of the Design Economy 2018.

Feature — 31/01/2019
Starling Bank card
Starling Bank card

Starling Bank – How design benefits business Starling Bank is a digital, mobile only bank based in the UK with a team of technologists, artists, money experts, designers and marketers. They are a brilliant example of how design is being used in new and innovative ways in order to grow the business and add value to the company. Starling Bank is a digital, mobile only bank based in the UK with a team of technologists, artists, money experts, designers and marketers.

Feature — 30/01/2019
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