Design Promotion Agency (1944)
The Design Council was founded in 1944 by Winston Churchill's government, with the primary aim of promoting post-war economic recovery through improved design in British industrial products.
Initially called the Council of Industrial Design, it was established by Hugh Dalton, then President of the Board of Trade, to promote the quality and attractiveness of British products both domestically and internationally.
One of the Council's first major events was the 1946 "Britain Can Make It" exhibition, which was a huge success and helped raise awareness of the importance of design to industry and the public. In subsequent years, the Council developed a wide range of promotional and educational activities, including publications such as Design magazine (1949-1999) and collaborations with the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) on design education programmes.
In summary, since 1944, the Design Council has evolved from a body focused on promoting post-war industrial design to a strategic, multi-disciplinary institution that influences the culture, economy and policy of design in the UK, adapting to technological, economic and social changes.
In 1956, the Design Centre in Haymarket, London, opened as a permanent venue for the exhibition and promotion of contemporary design, officially opened by Prince Philip. In 1959, the Prince Philip Designers Prize was established, to recognise elegant and innovative design solutions, aimed at stimulating creativity in the context of post-war reconstruction.
In the 1950s, the Design Council established a permanent home at the Design Centre in Haymarket, London, opened in 1956 by Prince Philip, which became a focal point for the exhibition and promotion of contemporary design. In 1959, the Prince Philip Designers Prize was established, to recognise elegant and innovative design solutions, aimed at stimulating creativity in the context of post-war reconstruction. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Council expanded its role to include awards, grants and direct consultancy services to industry, promoting the link between design, technology and engineering.
In 1972, it changed its name to the Design Council, reflecting a broader focus on design as a strategic lever for industry. In the 1980s and 1990s, with the economic crisis and the need for greater efficiency, the Council reorganised its services, supporting the emergence of independent design studios and creating regional networks to assist businesses. In 1994, the Sorrell Review, led by John Sorrell, led to a major restructuring: the regional offices and the Design Centre were closed, transforming the Council into a leaner, more agile think tank, with a new focus on research, lobbying and facilitating collaboration between sectors.
In the 1990s, the Design Council underwent a significant restructuring following the 1994 Sorrell Review, led by John Sorrell. This transformation led to a leaner, more strategic consultancy organisation, with the closure of regional offices and the Haymarket Design Centre.
In the 2000s and beyond, the Design Council continued to evolve, becoming an independent charity in 2011, also incorporating the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE). Today, it is the UK’s leading strategic design advisor, working to promote inclusive and sustainable design, supporting businesses, governments and communities to improve products, services and spaces, and helping to shape public policy and innovation strategies.
In 2011, the Design Council became an independent charity, while still receiving government funding, and merged with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).
Today, the Design Council is the UK’s leading strategic design advisor, working to promote inclusive and sustainable design, supporting businesses, governments and communities to improve products, services and spaces. Its history is characterised by a central role in defining and spreading the culture of design as a key factor for British economic competitiveness and social well-being.
