Designing Impact Together

The power of design

Everything not made by mother-nature has been designed. From computers and coffee cups to skyscrapers and services, design shapes the world around us. It has the power to drive economic growth, transform lives, and build a regenerative future for all.

80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined at the design stage.

As the UK’s national charity and champion for design, our work supports design to reach the people, places and systems where it can do the greatest good. For over 80 years, we have expanded the understanding and use of design across the public and private sectors, academia and education. Our mission now is Design for Planet.

"If you’re not designing for planet, what planet are you on?"

Kate Raworth Author, Doughnut Economics

We influence national policy and investment in design

We activate design across sectors and communities

Through research, evidence, storytelling and convening, we make the case for design as a driver of economic growth, social wellbeing and environmental regeneration.

We partner with public bodies, local authorities, industry and our network of 200+ design experts to embed design in real-world challenges, from climate resilience to public services.

We equip designers and businesses with green and future skills

We provide practical tools, training and frameworks that prepare today’s and tomorrow’s designers to lead in a changing world.

Global Events

Catalysing change.

We create spaces where the design community meets decision-makers. Our events bring designers, policy makers and industry leaders together to share insights and spark change.

Bespoke Programmes

We collaborate with organisations to build green design skills and capabilities that drive growth for good.

Policy and Action

We lead expert task forces and convene across sectors to influence government in harnessing design for critical societal challenges.

Together we can accelerate Design for Planet to create a regenerative future for all.

Where we can drive impact

Building Skills for Planet

We have launched a bold ambition to upskill 1 million UK designers and commissioners in green design skills by 2030.

In partnership with government, education providers and design businesses, we’re building a movement to address the current gap in green design skills vs the growing demand from industry.

Through training programmes, events, tools and campaigns we aim to equip designers, at all levels, with skills to reduce emissions, pollution and waste and help the natural world to flourish.

30,000 already upskilled

"I’m very proud to say that UK government stands firmly behind the Design Council’s Skills for Planet mission."

Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology

How you can fuel Skills for Planet

Become a Skills for Planet Circle Member

Join visionary organisations who are supporting us in reaching 1 million upskilled through government advocacy, media campaigns, events, and partnerships.

Partner on Design for Planet Festival

Partner with us on our flagship gathering of designers, industry, government, academia and sustainability experts to drive the conversation and catalyse action.

Enable the Skills for Planet Course

Support the development of our openaccess course for designers across all sectors to gain accreditations in green design skills, with world-leading industry specialists and academics.

Championing the Value of Design

In 2019, design contributed £97.4bn in GVA, employed 1.97m workers (1 in 20 of all UK workers), and grew at twice the rate of the UK economy (2010 to 2019)¹.

The latest findings from our flagship research programme Design Economy will launch in June 2026 to evidence the value that the design sector delivers in the UK.

Through reports, thought leadership, taskforces, training and targeted advocacy, we illustrate and strengthen design’s contribution to society, including in driving economic growth, the net zero transition and effective delivery of public services and infrastructure projects.

How you can fuel the Value of Design

Become a Value of Design Circle Member

Help demonstrate design’s vital role in driving economic growth and the net zero transition. Support thoughtleadership, policy influencing, Design Economy and green growth research.

Generate New Insights

Co-design pioneering research demonstrating design’s impact on the economy, business performance, communities, and the planet. Through compelling insights and case studies, we can strengthen the case for design investment and reach new audiences.

Partner on the UK

Design Economy Launch

Position your organisation at the forefront of the national design conversation. Support the convening of senior leaders from industry, government, academia, and the media to delve into the findings from our flagship Design Economy research.

Nurturing Next Gen Designers

There has been a 67% drop in students taking Design & Technology at GCSE level. The future of the talent pipeline is at risk.

Next Gen Designers is the Design Council’s commitment to support and champion new design talent across the UK.

Partner with us as we develop this emerging programme within our Skills for Planet initiative by opening access to high-quality design education, including supporting teachers, and highlighting routes into the creative industries.

Work with us to develop campaigns, platforms and prizes, celebrating design trailblazers and championing green design skills.

"It is a real honour to have been selected among so many thoughtful and impactful

design projects."

Noé Chouraqui,

winner of the Design for Planet New Designers Prize 2025

How you can fuel Next Gen Designers

Sponsor the New Designers Prize

Co-brand the Design for Planet Prize at New Designers, with opportunities to connect and work with the winner, including designer stipend for product development.

Drive Thought Leadership

Share powerful stories of Design for Planet in action that ignite creativity, purpose, and hope. Work with our Communications Team to create designed assets, video content or articles that move people to act and inspire the next generation of designers.

Support Educational Partnerships

Collaborate with us to strengthen our work across schools, universities and extracurricular initiatives, equipping learners of all ages with the skills and opportunities to thrive in the future economy.

Who we are Ambassadors

28+ world-renowned design advocates

Experts

200+ designers and thinkers: a curated community of leading design professionals across the UK

Team

30+ design, events and skills specialists

Alison Brooks

Alison Brooks Architects

Hanif Kara

Barnard

Minnie Moll

Chief Executive Officer

Cat Drew Chief Design Officer

Rob Holmes Chief Operating Officer

Our Trustees

Our Trustees bring deep expertise, leadership, and insight to guide the Design Council’s strategic direction and ensure we deliver on our mission with integrity and impact.

Ben Ramalingam

Chief Strategic Development Officer UNICEF

Naylor

Jonquil Hackenberg

Keith Morgan CBE

Former CEO

Paul Monaghan

Founding Director

Allford Hall Monaghan

Prof. Elena Marco

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Arts, Technology & Environment

University of the West of England

Chief Executive Ellen MacArthur Foundation Tom Crawford

British Business Bank

Sadaf Hosseini

Head of Growth, Partnerships and Innovation

Ecosystems at UpLink World Economic Forum

Global Head of Sustainability Vodafone

William Eccleshare Former Global CEO

Channel Outdoor

Patrick Bellow RDI

Atelier Ten

Our Reach & Impact

Through our programmes, partnerships, and thought leadership, the Design Council reaches and influences a broad and diverse audience from government and industry to educators, practitioners, and communities.

Press mentions

Government ambassadors engaged

Curated events

Speaker platforms

In the media

Our research, events, and advocacy regularly feature in national and trade press. Recent media partnerships have included the Financial Times, The Guardian, and Dezeen.

Our Partners

We believe the most powerful outcomes are created together. By partnering with visionary organisations, we connect design with policy, industry and communities, creating the conditions for design to thrive across sectors, regions and generations.