"Learning from other people's experience is so important"

Deborah Dawton, Design Business Association

Do you want to learn more about how to grow your business? Maybe you need help finding funding for your business idea? Or perhaps you simply want to know what's happening in the world of design...

This section can point you in the right direction.

We hope to make our listings of design and business advice services, organisations, events and networks the most comprehensive on the web. So if you have an event that you want to tell us about, or you think your organisation could help businesses or designers in the UK, you can contact us here

Practical help for businesses

Find out about organisations around the country that offer practical help to you and your business.

ACID (Anti Copying in Design)

A membership trade organisation created to combat the threat of plagiarism in the design and creative industries.

Advantage Business Angels

Specialises in raising funds for early-stage business opportunities.

AME-UK

A non-profit organisation dedicated to acquiring and putting into practice knowledge on better approaches to manufacturing, with a focus on reducing costs and waste.

Practical help for designers

Find out about forthcoming programmes and courses around the country that are useful to you and your business.

Design Business Association

A UK-based trade association for design businesses.

[re]design

[re]design is an expansive online design network that also publishes books and hosts public exhibitions, workshops lectures and debates throughout the year.

Events and competitions

Search our listings of events to see what's going on in your area. We also list national and international design competitions.

Greengaged

Greengaged at the Design Council is a programme of sustainability events, debates, workshops, exhibitions, seminars and masterclasses that will run during the London Design Festival 2008.

100% Design

Annual exhibition promoting and supporting a London-wide celebration of contemporary design.

Blogs and networks

Looking for a networking event near you? How about a design blog? We have listings of events and blogs that enable businesses and designers to get togther.

[re]design

[re]design is an expansive online design network that also publishes books and hosts public exhibitions, workshops lectures and debates throughout the year.

1+1=3

1+1=3 is an Australian blog dedicated to the discussion of design in all its guises, but in particular graphic/communication design and interactive design from Australia.

Organisations

Find out about organisations that are useful to you and your business, as well as museums, galleries and cultural organisations.

ACID

A membership trade organisation created to combat the threat of plagiarism in the design and creative industries.

Advantage West Midlands

The Regional Development Agency for the West Midlands.

Programmes and courses

Search our listings of training courses and business growth programmes.

Centres of Industrial Collaboration

Helps local businesses gain the technical expertise and specialist resources needed to drive internal innovation forward.

Creative Business Accelerator Programme

A free-of-charge programme aimed at getting small, profit-driven, London-based creative business ready for external finance and growth.