"Complex problems demand innovative solutions..."

David Kester, Design Council Chief Executive

In this section you can find out about the ways design is making a difference in all areas of the UK. You can also share your views on current design, business and policy issues.

The Design Council is working towards real change in the following areas:

Driving competitiveness in industry

Improving innovation in public services

Supporting growth in the creative economy

Can we create better public services using design?

Stage: We have prototyped some new ideas for public services
Addressing: Improving innovation in public services

Why are public services an issue for design?

How can we use design methods and processes to not only encourage innovation from suppliers, but innovation in services themselves?

Perspectives

Hillary Cottam

Director of Particple and Designer of the Year 2005

Current approaches to public service reform are reaching their limits. And the issues addressed by public services are themselves in flux and changing. We need a different way forward: not further incremental change but rather radical transformation and a new approach - co-created services which differ in terms of their design, content, systems, their structures of delivery and their approach to resources.

More perspectives and the chance to contribute

What skills do designers need and how do they get them?

Stage: We have published a design skills blueprint to implement the suggestions made in 'High-level skills for higher value' a report on design industry skills
Addressing: Supporting growth in the creative economy

How can we help designers get the right skills?

British design is the best in the world. But we need to take action now to make sure it stays that way.

What stops small companies using design?

Stage: We have launched a programme called Designing Demand to help SMEs increase profit, sales and market share using design
Addressing: Driving competitiveness in industry, Supporting growth in the creative economy

How can design make sense for smaller businesses?

The share prices of design-led companies out-performed key FTSE indices by 200% over ten years, but SMEs don't always understand the value design can add to their business

This project is part of The Cox Review of Creativity in Business

Can design help in the fight against crime?

Stage: We are part of the new Design and Technology Alliance, a group of experts in design, consumer affairs and crime. With them we will establish new ways for good design to tackle crime.
Addressing: Improving innovation in public services

Why is crime an issue for design?

Crime has fallen over the last decade but new crime challenges have emerged as society, and technology, have evolved.

Hot products like these are likely to be the targets of criminals

Can we use design to improve how people live?

Stage: People in the North East have worked for a year to develop practical examples of how they could design their own lives better
Addressing: Improving innovation in public services, Supporting growth in the creative economy

What is Dott?

Designs of the time (Dott) asks 'Can we use design to help people live how they want to live?'

Can universities bring business studies and creativity closer together?

Stage: We have been looking at international examples of best practice
Addressing: Driving competitiveness in industry, Supporting growth in the creative economy

Why is this an issue for design?

Designers need to help decide what kind of centres should be set up to enable multidisciplinary groups of designers, scientists, anthropologists, economists and others to drive innovation

What other issues are there?

Lessons from Europe front cover Could business studies and creativity work together?

What's the threat from emerging economies?

Dott 07 Can we use design to improve how people live?

Why is everyone talking about the creative economy?

Designing more competitive science and innovation

School design Can design make schools more sustainable?

UK Innovation What makes the UK an innovation nation?

Design and health Can design help create a more healthy population?

Could your business claim R&D tax credits?