Introduction to the Design Council

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The Design Council

The power of design

We are an independent charity championing the power of design to drive economic growth, improve lives, and build a sustainable future.

For over 80 years, we have expanded the understanding and use of design across the public and private sectors, academia and education.

Driven by our mission Design for Planet, we harness the power of design to accelerate the transition to a regenerative economy and equitable society, advancing our purpose to improve lives through design.

We shape the future of design

Equipping designers and businesses with practical tools and industry-leading training, preparing the next generation to thrive.

We unlock the value of design

Partnering with public and private sectors to embed design, to create stronger, more innovative products, systems, and services.

We advocate for the power of design

Producing powerful evidence of design’s economic and social impact. Through research, policy engagement and storytelling, we create momentum for design to drive systemic change.

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

Opportunities to Partner

Skills for Planet

Training and resources to upskill 1 million designers by 2030 to drive the Green Transition.

Next Gen Designers

Initiatives and campaigns to expand access to design education and careers powered by a national network of educational and industry partners.

Value of Design

Data-driven research and capability building, evidencing the value of design and supporting its contribution to the UK’s economy and society.

Experts Network

Join the Movement

We collaborate with a national network of 200+ design experts, universities, and youth programmes to shape cutting-edge research and expand our reach.

Platforms

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.

Policy and Action

We lead focused projects and expert taskforces to tackle major societal challenges. Through co-creation and real world testing we turn ideas into scalable solutions.

Design is at the heart of innovation, economic growth and the skills we need for the future.”
Sir Chris Bryant Minister of State for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries

Opportunities to Partner

Skills for Planet

The Design Council’s Skills for Planet mission will upskill one million UK designers by 2030 with the green skills needed to lead design-led innovation for a sustainable future.

At its core is the Skills for Planet Blueprint, a practical framework that embeds sustainability into everyday design. Delivered through training, workshops, partnerships and tools, it empowers designers to drive change across sectors.

The Blueprint focuses on six pillars:

● Regenerating Nature

● Embedding Circularity

● Eliminating Emissions

● Empowering Green Communities

● Influencing Green Behaviour

● Evaluating Green Impact

Skills for Planet Partnership

Skills for Planet Circle

Support our campaign to reach 1 million designers by 2030, including partnerships with educational providers, government, sustainability organisations and industry media and event platforms.

Design for Planet Festival

Partner with us to deliver our annual two-day gathering of designers, industry, government, academia and sustainability experts to drive forward the conversation and action on design’s role in the transition to net zero.

Blueprint Course

Support our open-access online course for designers across all sectors to gain accreditations in green design skills, with course content delivered by world-leading industry specialists and academics.

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

Next Gen Designers

Next Gen Designers is the Design Council’s commitment to expand and diversify the pipeline of design talent across the UK.

Through campaigns, partnerships and prizes, we open access to high-quality, future-ready design education, from school-age children and further education students to those entering, returning to, or retraining for design careers.

By removing barriers of accessibility, opportunity and representation, we are creating a diverse and inclusive design workforce that reflects society, fuels innovation and drives sustainable growth for generations to come.

Next Gen Designers Partnership

Next Gen Designers Circle

Join a leading network of partners championing diversity, equity and inclusion in design. Work with us to develop initiatives and campaigns to ensure universal access to high-quality design education and grow a stronger, more inclusive talent pipeline.

New Designers Award & Panel

Co-brand the Design Council Award at New Designers, including a panel discussion and opportunity to meet the award winner. Including designer stipend for product development.

Educational Partnerships

Collaborate with us to expand our work with universities and education providers, giving learners of all ages the skills and opportunities to thrive in the future economy. Together, we’ll ensure the next generation of designers is prepared to lead and innovate.

Partner Opportunity Value of Design

Value of Design provides up-to-date data and evidence on the contribution of design to the UK. It comprises our Design Economy research and Design Academy capability programme.

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

1.97 million

People working in the design industry

£97.2 billion

Gross Value added

Value of Design Partnership

Value of Design Circle

Shape the future of the UK design sector and demonstrate design’s vital role in driving economic growth and the net zero transition. By joining the Value of Design Circle, you can support thought-leadership and policy influence, sponsor annual Design Economy research, or co-create new research connecting design and green growth.

UK Design Economy Annual Lecture

Position your organisation at the forefront of the national design conversation. Support our flagship event, which unveils the latest data on design’s impact while convening senior leaders from industry, government, academia, and the media to shape the UK’s design agenda.

Design Academies

Support the delivery of cross-sectoral professional training resources and materials, enabling businesses, the public sector, and UK regions to use design to achieve better outcomes and accelerate growth.

Commissioned Work

Alongside public-facing Value of Design initiatives, the Design Council works with businesses and public sector organisations to facilitate in-house design programmes.

In-house Design Academy

Through bespoke programmes of workshops, learning, and collaborative challenges, equip your team to use design-led thinking to tackle complex challenges.

Design Audit

Evaluate how design principles, and capabilities are applied across your organisation’s teams and functions, identifying opportunities to improve innovation and efficiency.

Design Review

We deliver design reviews for nationally significant infrastructure projects across the UK, helping to improve the quality of the natural and built environment.

The Design Council has led the world through its standard setting, its international connectivity and its convenorship”

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 AKT II
Jonathan Faulkinham OBE Urban Splash
Jo Barnard
Morrama
Phoebe English
Pheobe English Studio
Indy Johar
Dark Matter Labs Suhair Khan open-ended
Michael Pawlyn Exploration Architecture
Minnie Moll CEO
Cat Drew Chief Design Officer
Edward Hobson Director of Partnerships

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 UK

Jonquil Hackenberg

Keith Morgan CBE

Former CEO

Paul Monaghan

Founding Director

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

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

Eccleshare
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.

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.

Partnering with Design Council

Join us in shaping the future of design. Together, we drive bold innovation, nurture exceptional talent, and pioneer solutions that create lasting impact across industries and communities.

Network Partner

Skills Champion

Join a Circle

Join forces to explore new ideas, build your network and support our thought leadership, data & evidence, and advocacy work to build a stronger design ecosystem.

Play a pivotal role in shaping the conversation around design’s future. Collaborate with the Design Council to co-create high profile events, campaigns and awards that align with your strategic priorities and engage key audiences across sectors.

Invest in impactful training, resources, and initiatives that enhance design skills and broaden access nationwide, helping to build a more capable, diverse, and innovative design workforce.

For too long creativity has been the missing ingredient in the urgent conversations about the future of our planet”

partnerships@designcouncil.org.uk

designcouncil.org.uk

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