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Discover all you need to know about design and why it matters

About design and what it can do for you

Design can help you improve your sustainability credentials, create products and services that make people happy and it has positive benefits on business's bottom line.

In this section you can read more of our thoughts on what design is and why it matters, browse through our guides to different design disciplines or read about how designers work, and the processes, methods and thinking they employ.

Perhaps you've already embarked on a design project? We've got information on managing design from 11 world-leading companies which told us how they do it. Once you've completed a design project you'll want to measure its success and we've got some thoughts on how you can measure the return on your investment in design.There's also information for students and designers in our guides to design as a profession.

 

Types of Design

If you want information on particular design disciplines or sectors, you can find it here.

Packaging design: This WaterGraphic design: I love NY by MIlton Glaser

We've collected in-depth information on disciplines from automotive to workplace design via:

How designers work

Post-It notes

Find out more about how designers, their methods, processes and thinking, develop innovative products and services and can help improve business performance.

Design as a profession

Sophie Thomas

The design industry is a vibrant, varied and dynamic creative sector that plays a powerful and important role in many areas of our lives. This section explores what designers do everyday and also what it's taken for them to get where they are today.

Commissioning designers

Designer working with a clientThis step-by-step guide explains the process of finding and working with a designer – focusing on your needs and ensuring you get the most out of the project.

What design is and why it matters

Mat Hunter, Chief Design Officer, Design Council

There are countless definitions of design - as perhaps you'd expect of a creative endeavour. Our Chief Design Officer Mat Hunter explains how design is different from and related to other activities, how designers work and how to inspire good design.

Managing design

Find out how leading companies such as BSkyB, Microsoft and Virgin Atlantic Airways use sophisticated design management techniques to compete in crowded marketplaces, connect with their customers and capitalise on the power of their brands.

Frog's Design Management process

Measuring design

Measuring your return on investment is important for and client. But few people feel able to measure the value of investing in design. Our guide to measuring return on design investment looks at why and how you should do it.

Fantastic films

Watch our latest film all about ...

 

Starting a design business 

 

 

Watch this film and more

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Continued Professional Development

Looking to sharpen your design skills?

Good Design Practice

Browse our list of courses for design professionals

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