Reports & Resources
Explore our work from previous projects.
Search our extensive back catalogue to learn more about what works in design, including emerging trends and practice, as well as policy position papers about how to increase its use.
Architecture and the Built Environment: Design Review Insight Report
20 August 2018
Design Council deliver design advice to professionals in the built environment; supporting them to balance the multiple factors at play and overcome complexities which prohibit design quality. Design Review is one of the tools...
Brent Council: Using design thinking to make planning applications more efficient
15 August 2018
The outcome of a planning application has the potential to influence the applicant hugely. People unable to make the changes they want to their home will sometimes move altogether. Subject to national planning laws and...
Transform Ageing: Wellbeing in the woods – inside Aquafolium
7 August 2018
At the end of 2017 we invited social entrepreneurs to respond to a series of six briefs compiled by local communities looking for innovative product and service solutions, with the simple aim of improving the experience of later...
Transform Ageing: A stitch in time – inside The Sewing Rooms
26 July 2018
At the end of 2017 we invited social entrepreneurs to respond to a series of six briefs compiled by local communities looking for innovative product and service solutions, with the simple aim of improving the experience of later...
Evaluating Transform Ageing – What we’ve learnt about learning
17 July 2018
This paper is authored by Simon Barlow, of UnLtd – Transform Ageing partners. In this paper we explore how combining developmental and theory-based evaluation approaches can provide space for learning and accountability in...
Hackney Council: Connecting services to support the health of tenants in private housing
11 July 2018
Housing conditions can have a significant influence on the health of residents. Hackney Council wanted to better support tenants of private rented accommodation, where problems can be more difficult to report. Hackney Council...
Video: The Design Economy 2018 – Fjord
26 June 2018
As part of our flagship Design Economy 2018 research, we present seven case studies, which bring to life how a selection of different firms use design. For an introduction to the case studies, please see here. Fjord is an...
Video: The Design Economy 2018 – City ID
26 June 2018
As part of our flagship Design Economy 2018 research, we present seven case studies, which bring to life how a selection of different firms use design. For an introduction to the case studies, please see here. City ID is a city...
Video: The Design Economy 2018 – Map Project Office
26 June 2018
As part of our flagship Design Economy 2018 research, we present seven case studies, which bring to life how a selection of different firms use design. For an introduction to the case studies, please see here. Map Project Office...
The Design Economy 2018
26 June 2018
The Design Economy 2018 is the Design Council's report on the state of design in the UK, and its value to the economy. It expands on our previous research in 2015, and in addition to exploring the supply of design firms and...
The 100-year life: the role of housing, planning and design
14 June 2018
This joint report from Design Council, Centre for Ageing Better and the Social Care Institute for Excellence calls for an approach to health, housing and care systems to help people to live independently as they age. It looks at...
Understanding design-intensive innovation
30 May 2018
How does design contribute to innovation? Does the use of design improve the likelihood of innovation happening? If so, how, and can it be measured? For design to realise its full potential, there is a need to consolidate the...