Measuring the value and role of design

Design Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) both believe that design plays a key role in economic and social value creation.

In 2013 we began working together to look at design research in UK universities, and its connection with businesses and policymakers. Our aim was to identify future areas for research funding, as well as new and innovative ways of bringing research and industry together to contribute their ideas.

Together we conducted a wide-ranging review of the landscape and the literature. After an initial broad sweep we focussed our attention on service design and innovation in services. We have provided both the initial findings (below) as well as the complete findings from the study (main document on the right) for you to download.

 

What happens next?

The research is completed and is being used to inform the Research Councils’ decisions on future funding for design research. We will be keeping in touch with them and will update this webpage with any significant developments.