The penny’s dropped. Design is getting the recognition it deserves. From Downing Street to Davos, policymakers and business leaders are realising that meeting our economic and social challenges requires a regular dose of design thinking.
The Cox Review, commissioned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, sets out the steps the UK must take to make best use of its world-class creative talent. It also explains why. There is a clear and growing threat from rapidly expanding economies that are developing their own creative skills. China and others aren’t content to simply supply cheap, low-skilled labour. They’re investing in talent and ideas.
To take on this deadly duo of high skills and low costs, the review says British business must be more enterprising in the way it uses design. Specifically, it calls for the Design Council’s business support programme to be made more widely available.
Needless to say, we’re enthusiastically answering the call. At the same time, we’re extending our initiatives to support government in its endeavour to improve public services through design.
The stories in this Annual tell how the Design Council is inspiring and enabling the best use of design. We think they’re a jolly good read and we hope you do too.
Sir George Cox, Chairman
David Kester, Chief Executive