The Design Commission is the in-depth research arm of the All-Party Parliamentary Design & Innovation Group.
It is an industry-led body, which conducts high level research aimed at driving thinking around design policy in the UK. The Commission's remit is to conduct investigative research into particular areas or policy problems as they relate to, or could benefit from, design. Follow the links in the righthand column to find out more and to get involved.
The Design Commission is composed of parliamentarians and leading representatives from business, industry and the public sector. Its purpose is to explore, through research, how design can drive economic and social improvement, and how government and business can better understand the importance of design.
We conduct investigations and inquiries to identify opportunities and obstacles. Recognising that the UK has been a world-leader in design for many years, it contributes to the understanding of how to maintain a leading position in the future, and how the considerable skills of the design sector can support development in other areas. Through its work, the Commission demonstrates to government the value of design input at the highest level, as well as contributing to and augmenting the debate around national design policy.
The Commission is not time-limited in this task. There is currently a need for more strategic thinking to link design, policy and politics more consistently. The strength of the Commission is in bringing the variety of ideas and considerable experience of its members to bear in thinking about policy, society and the economy; in establishing new frontiers where design thinking can contribute; and in using the cumulative weight of its members' standing to gather support and encourage receptiveness from government.
It was established in 2010 by the Associate Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group (now the All-Party Parliamentary Design & Innovation Group), in order to further its aims of promoting intelligent debate of design policy. The secretariat is provided by Policy Connect, a social enterprise that promotes evidence-based policy development.
This is not an official feed of the House of Commons of the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. This commission is an informal group of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in the webpages are those of the group.