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Research: Design Action Plan
Promoting strategic design as a driver of innovation and improvement in all sectors and industries across the UK.
About our research
Research summary
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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:
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enhanced wellbeing
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increased social cohesion
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improved human experiences
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innovative products
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improved services
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efficiency gains
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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.
Research outputs
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Na, JH, Evans, M, Zitkus, E, Whicher, A and Walters, A (2018) Design in Action: Understanding the Drivers and Barriers to Strategic Use of Design for Innovation in Next Wave: The 21st DMI Academic Design Management Conference, London, 1/8/2018-2/8/2018, pp127-140
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Zitkus, E, Na, JH, Evans, M, Walters, A, Whicher, A and Cooper, R (2018) Understanding How Design Action Plans Support the Strategic Use of Design Design Research Society Conference, Limerick, 25/6/2018 to 28/6/2018(2), pp780-791
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Design Council (2020) Developing successful partnership between universities, industry and the public sector: Understanding the role for design-intensive research and innovation Design Council and Arts and Humanities Research Council publication
Team of researchers and collaborators
Research team
Lead researcher
Co-researchers
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Design Council
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All Party Parliamentary Design Innovation Group
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Council for Higher Education Art and Design
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Creative Industries Federation
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Design Business Association
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Design Manchester
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Nesta
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LICA, Lancaster University
Project sponsorship
With funding from
![Arts and Humanities Research Council logo](/sites/default/files/styles/logo_scalable/public/2022-02/UKRI_AHR_Council-Logo_Square-RGB.jpg?itok=eLz0or8h)
Arts Humanities Research Council
Contact information
Contact us
For more information about this project you can contact its lead researcher, Prof Martyn Evans.