The Design Economy is now available online for free

As the government sets out its new Industrial Strategy, Design Council is releasing a full digital version of The Design Economy. The publication expands on our previous research by looking beyond the traditional definition of the design sector. In doing so, it provides the most thorough and accurate view of design's contribution to the UK economy ever produced. 

Download The Design Economy report

Inside the full digital version of The Design Economy, you will find data on:

• The economic value of design to the economy, including figures on a number of firms, gross-value added, productivity and turnover
• The international value of UK design, including figures on UK exports plus international comparisons on exports, design registrations and business use of design
• The scale and scope of the UK design economy, including figures on employment levels, demographics, qualifications, wages and working patterns
• The design hotspots of the UK, including the regional distribution of design firms and employment, plus identification of design clusters

The report has had an impact across the globe, attracting interest from Canada to New Zealand and many places in between. In the year that the UK government will implement its new industrial strategy and trigger Article 50, we plan to update The Design Economy to take this research even further. We intend to build upon the evidence base on the role of design and design-led innovation in our economy, and consider the clear opportunities for targeted support that will have a positive impact on business, productivity and growth now and in the years to come.