Research: Design Action Plan

Research summary

• July 2017 to December 2020 

The UK does not have a national action plan for design. Therefore, the Design Action Plan project aims to create an evidence-based plan for the strategic use of design. This will drive innovation in both industrial and social settings.

The action plan consists of creating an evidence-based resource that empowers decision-makers, as well as a roadmap to how to achieve it.

Research demonstrates that design has a huge role to play in driving innovation that benefits society and the economy (Design Council, 2018; Innovate UK, 2016).

An action plan is needed because it highlights the benefits of strategic design. These are:

• enhanced wellbeing

• increased social cohesion

• improved human experiences

• innovative products

• improved services

• efficiency gains

• routes to innovation

Unlike previous studies, this research uses theory alongside practical applications. This connects strategic vision with the stepping stones of how design can improve the UK’s economy and society.

In addition to the Design Action Plan research, Prof Martyn Evans, Dr Jea Hoo Na and the Design Council conducted further user and market research. This explored the need for business and the public sector to partner with universities on design-intensive research.

The Design Action Plan is funded by the Arts Research Council and led by Manchester School of Art and Cardiff Metropolitan University in partnership with the Design Council.