Design Council

Dive into the legacy of Sir Kenneth Grange, a key figure in transforming the UK design landscape through visionary projects that shaped industries and everyday lives. From the InterCity 125 to iconic home appliances, his legacy is a true testament to the power of design in shaping our world. 🚄

Read more about his enduring impact in our latest blog: https://ow.ly/1xUx50ThCCv

Our WDO webinar: Designing for Planet starts today at 1pm BST. 🌍

Don’t miss out on the chance to join Minnie Moll, Chief Executive of the Design Council, and a panel of expert speakers take us on a journey through the history of the Design Council and explore how design can lead the charge in the green transition.

This is your opportunity to learn about the World Design Congress London, hear about the Council’s mission to upskill 1 million designers, and participate in a live Q&A session with industry leaders.

If you haven't registered yet, there’s still time!*

🔗 Register Here: https://ow.ly/jWxF50SZ2vp

📅 Date: Today, 10 September

🕐 Time: 1pm – 2.30pm BST

💻 Free and Open to Everyone

*Please note that this webinar will only hold 500 people and places will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.

World Design Organization

Our in Action series continues this month, inspired by the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, with a focus on sustainability in sport design! Leading the charge in sport footwear are brands like ON, Cariuma, Loci, Ecoalf, and VivoBarefoot. 🌿👟

These brands are redefining what it means to make sustainable trainers by using eco-friendly materials like recycled plastics, natural rubber, and plant-based dyes. From biodegradable sneakers to fully recyclable designs, these brands are taking bold strides to reduce their carbon footprints and protect our planet. 🌱💚

With all the excitement for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, we're taking a moment to look back at our involvement in the iconic design of the London 2012 torch. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) partnered with us to write the brief and run a competition for the design and manufacture of the Olympic torch. Won by Barber & Osgerby, their winning torch design was a true testament to British innovation, a complex but beautiful piece of industrial design. With 8,000 perforated circles to represent the torchbearers and a striking triangular shape that symbolised the Olympic values and UK's Olympic history.

Whilst the world is gathered at the Game in Paris, we're reminded of the power of design in uniting people and celebrating athletic excellence. The London torch remains a shining example of how thoughtful design can capture the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics.

Discover more: https://ow.ly/eQPr50SUQOk

This month’s in action series is exploring sustainable sports design in honour of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics!

We're diving into the world of surfing this week with the Eco Board Project by Sustainable Surf. 🌊 This initiative is setting the standard by creating certification levels for environmentally friendly surfboard production, encouraging the use of renewable, recycled, and upcycled materials.

From bio-resins to recycled foam cores, the Eco Boards Project is designed to reduce the environmental impact while delivering high performance on the waves. By meeting these rigorous certification standards, each board reduces its environmental footprint without compromising performance. The project’s mission is to educate and engage individuals about the environmental impacts of their lifestyle through the lens of their surfboard. 🏄‍♂️💚

🚨 Save the Date for the WDO Webinar: Designing for Planet 🌍

On 10 September, 1pm – 2.30pm BST, join us for an insightful webinar hosted by the Design Council and the World Design Organization.

In this session, Minnie Moll, Chief Executive of the Design Council and her colleagues, will take us on a journey through the Council's remarkable 80-year history. We'll explore their mission to galvanise designers worldwide for the green transition and hear exciting plans for the World Design Congress, coming to London in September 2025.

This webinar is open to everyone, regardless of your design background. Whether you're a seasoned professional or simply passionate about sustainable design, this is your chance to be part of a movement that can make a real difference.

🔗 Register here: https://ow.ly/zNQt50SZ2aE

📅 Webinar Date: 10 September

🕐 Time: 1pm – 2.30pm BST

👥 Audience: Open to all

In the spirit of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, we’re celebrating innovation that champions both performance and sustainability for our in action series this month! 🏅🌿 Introducing the ‘SoundBounce’ by Mathilde Wittock, a shining example of eco-conscious design.

Did you know only 1% of the 400 million tennis balls produced annually are recycled? 🎾🎾🎾

The ‘SoundBounce’ project tackles the environmental challenge of waste from tennis clubs, transforming discarded tennis balls into acoustic dividers, wall panelling, and functional furniture pieces. Mathilde Wittock has given thousands of discarded tennis balls a new creative life through her noise-absorbing, sustainable surface design.

Through hand-cutting, environmentally friendly dyes, and innovative assembly removing the need for glue, Mathilde reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 8.5 kg per square metre. She's already repurposed 6,670 balls! 🌍

This month’s in action, in celebration of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, we're putting the spotlight on sustainable sports design! 🏅 We're starting with Nike Grind, an innovative circularity initiative that transforms manufacturing scrap, unused manufacturing materials and end-of-life footwear— including rubber, foam, fibre, leather and textiles into new materials.

Over the past three decades, Nike Grind has reimagined more than 55 million kilograms of waste into product design, retail spaces and workplace environments around the globe. Their commitment to circularity has driven them to discover new and unexpected ways to do more with materials such as furniture, running tracks, skateboards and laptop sleeves.

A standout project is the all-weather pitch in Manchester's Moss Side, created in collaboration with JD Sports and Football Beyond Borders. This pitch, made with Nike Grind, provides a durable and eco-friendly space for the community.

Nike Grind has been taking big steps towards making sustainability a key player in sports.🌱💚

📸 Football Beyond Borders

This month in our in Action series, we’re diving into . This week we’re delighted to highlight the innovative work taking place on the Orkney Islands.

🌬️🔋 The Orkney Islands are at the forefront of renewable energy innovation. These islands generate more electricity than they need through a combination of wind, solar, and tidal power. The community-owned wind farms empower local residents, while innovative hydrogen storage solutions help balance supply and demand. Orkney’s approach reduces reliance on fossil fuels and enhances energy security, providing a blueprint for sustainable energy systems worldwide.

This systemic design integrates technology, community engagement, and environmental stewardship, making Orkney a beacon of sustainable living.

In this week’s in Action we’re excited to put the spotlight on Bogotá's Ciclovía 🌎

🚴‍♀️🌿 Bogotá's Ciclovía transforms the city every Sunday with over 1.5 million participants, this initiative is a game-changer in urban mobility and public health. By closing 120 kilometres of streets to motor vehicles, Ciclovía provides a safe, pollution-free environment for cycling, walking, and skating. This systemic design approach significantly reduces traffic congestion and air pollution, contributing to a cleaner, healthier city.

Ciclovía fosters social interaction and community engagement, as families and friends come together to enjoy outdoor activities. It promotes physical fitness and mental well-being, offering a free, accessible space for exercise. This initiative also raises awareness about sustainable transportation and environmental stewardship, encouraging people to rethink their mobility choices.

Ciclovía is a great example of how systemic design can create sustainable, livable cities by integrating environmental, social, and health benefits into urban planning. It's not just a weekly event; it's a movement towards a sustainable urban future! 🌍🚲



📸 VW Pics/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

This month's in Action series is dedicated to . We’re excited to shine a light on Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) and their remarkable initiatives this week.🏡💡

Nestled in South London, BedZED is the UK's first large-scale eco-village. This pioneering community integrates energy-efficient housing, renewable energy sources, and sustainable transport options. Each home is designed to minimise energy use with super-insulation, passive solar heating, and energy-efficient appliances. BedZED features solar panels, green roofs, and a combined heat and power plant that runs on locally sourced biomass. Residents enjoy a car-free environment with ample cycling and walking paths, and shared electric vehicles.

BedZED is a model of systemic design, demonstrating how we can create sustainable, vibrant communities.



📸 Peabody and Bioregional

Our in Action series continues this month with a focus on . We're thrilled to showcase Incredible Edible this week.

🍏 Incredible Edible is transforming public spaces across the UK into community gardens, fostering local food production, education, and community engagement. Residents plant fruits, vegetables, and herbs in parks, along roadsides, and outside public buildings, making fresh, local produce accessible to all. This initiative not only enhances food security and reduces carbon footprints but also fosters a strong sense of community and local resilience.

Incredible Edible is a powerful example of systemic design, demonstrating how communities can come together to create sustainable, self-sufficient environments.

🌟 Congratulations to Louis Jacques Wright, winner of the Design Council Design for Planet Prize presented at New Designers, for his innovative project 'Organic Opulence'! 🌟

'Organic Opulence' is a visionary project, redefining jewellery to blend aesthetics, functionality, and societal roles with environmental sustainability. This initiative breaks new ground by integrating living materials into costume jewellery, merging advanced technology with organic elements for a sustainable, slow design approach.

Louis’s innovative use of slime mould as a biomaterial allows for customisable pieces that evolve with the wearer, emphasising the transient beauty of nature and deepening the wearer’s connection to their jewellery. 🌱✨

'Organic Opulence' sets a new standard in sustainable jewellery, moving away from disposability and towards a future where beauty and sustainability coexist.

For this month's in Action series, we're all about . We’re kicking off this month with The Barefoot College’s inspiring Solar Programme.

🌞🏡 The Barefoot College Solar Programme is lighting up the Global South! This innovative initiative trains women, often referred to as "Solar Mamas," to become skilled solar engineers. By empowering these women with valuable technical skills, the project has brought sustainable solar power to over 20,000 homes, drastically improving the quality of life in remote, off-grid communities.

The Barefoot College Solar Programme is a brilliant example of systemic design and community-driven sustainability. By focusing on local solutions and empowering women, it addresses multiple issues: reducing reliance on fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions, and providing stable, renewable energy. The programme also fosters community development, as women trained through the program become leaders and educators in their communities, spreading knowledge about renewable energy and sustainable living practices.

This initiative showcases how systemic design can create resilient, self-sufficient communities by integrating environmental, social, and economic benefits. 🌍⚡️

Designers, are you ready to drive the green transition?

Today we are announcing a landmark mission to upskill 1 million British designers in green design skills by 2030!

With the World Design Congress 2025 as our catalyst, we aim to leave a lasting legacy by bridging the green skills gap.

Currently, only 43% of designers feel equipped to tackle environmental projects, despite the growing demand, it’s time we fix this.

From the classroom to the C-suite we will work with government, business and education partners to co-design what these essential green skills are and what the upskilling programme needs to look like.

Learn more about our ambition here: https://bit.ly/4bboEoQ

This month’s in Action theme is and we are sharing some of the most outstanding projects from around the world… 🌎

Kuwait University (KU) emerges as a beacon of innovation and commitment to the planet. Aligned with the New Kuwait Vision 2035 and UN's Sustainable Development Goals, KU's strategic plan integrates environmental leadership, education, community engagement and research. ✊

At the heart of this endeavour lies Sabah Al-Salem University City, a monumental testament to sustainable architecture spanning six square kilometres. Meshari Al-Harbi, Vice-President for Planning, describes it as a symbol of ‘Kuwait's dedication to a knowledge-based society’, boasting green design principles. 🌿

But KU's commitment extends beyond infrastructure. With a focus on education and research, KU pioneers alternative energy techniques, reducing carbon footprint 👣 and advocating for stakeholder education to reduce environmental impact and ultimately export those principles across the region. Additionally, advanced methods are used to minimise water consumption, and a district cooling system with heat exchangers and thermal energy storage tanks is in place. 💧

Embracing the role of women and students in sustainability, KU propels change through recognition and empowerment. Three KU students were honoured as Women and Environment Ambassadors for their contributions to climate change research and policymaking. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏾

As KU strides towards accreditation as a WHO Healthy City, it sets a precedent for integrating health and sustainability. This holistic approach extends to fostering aspiring talent, working to increase the number of research projects and fast-tracking patents for faculty and students. 🧑‍🎓 ✍️

A recent initiative run by the College of Engineering and Petroleum identified the sustainability contributions of final-year students’ projects, highlighting the college’s commitment to integrating sustainability into curricula.

By recognising the talents of this young generation, KU is playing a vital role in developing the changemakers of the future. 👍

🌿✨ How the world's largest design firm is spearheading the sustainable building movement! Gensler is pioneering best practices to institutionalise sustainable building as the new normal. 🏢

in Action this month is all about and we are highlighting some of our favourite projects. 🌍

Their analysis shows if all Gensler projects matched their top performers in energy efficiency, it would save 8 million metric tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing 6% of U.S. power plants from the grid over 15 years. 🌱

Gensler’s Cities Climate Challenge (GC3), announced at the U.N. Climate Action Summit n 2019, pledges to eliminate all net emissions from their work by 2030.

How they are tackling carbon emissions:
Operating Carbon:
🟢 Reducing emissions from building operations by optimising energy efficiency.
🟢 Incorporating renewable energy sources like solar and wind into designs.
🟢 Implementing smart building technologies to manage energy use effectively.

Embodied Carbon:
🟠 Minimising carbon emissions from the production and transportation of building materials.
🟠 Prioritising materials with low embodied carbon, such as sustainable concrete and recycled steel.
🟠 Using life cycle assessment (LCA) to choose materials and construction methods with the lowest carbon footprint.

What are their Product Sustainability Standards?
✅ Setting criteria for energy-efficient manufacturing and low carbon emissions.
✅ Requiring Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to ensure transparency of environmental impacts.
✅ Encouraging the use of renewable and recycled materials.
✅ Collaborating with industry partners to adopt best sustainability practices.
✅ Educating clients and stakeholders on the importance of carbon reduction and sustainable design.

What are some of the design innovations?
💡 Developing innovative building designs that reduce energy consumption.
💡 Utilising passive design strategies, such as natural ventilation and daylighting.
💡 Promoting circular economy principles by designing for reuse and recyclability.

LATEST blog post | "Design has the power to replace environmental shame and guilt with meaningful action." Discover some of the new cohort of world-renowned Design Council Experts from fashion, policy to Digital shaping our landscape for the better. > https://bit.ly/3wW3o8K

🌿✨ This month's in Action theme is all about 'experts' – the trailblazers who are pushing the boundaries of sustainable design practices. 🌍💚 Let's spotlight the incredible work by Finnish Design Shop who are transforming the design retail landscape with their innovative Product Sustainability Framework.

Retailer Finnish Design Shop has taken a pioneering step by launching a tool to individually assess and rate the sustainability of over 20,000 design products available on their online store. Their Product Sustainability Framework empowers customers to make informed, eco-friendly choices by evaluating items based on five key criteria: social responsibility, eco-friendly production, climate impact, sustainable materials, and circular design. ✅

This comprehensive framework was developed with the help of Ethica, a Finnish circular design expert, and is based on detailed data provided by product manufacturers. The result? A transparent and trustworthy rating system where products earn one to three green leaf symbols, indicating their sustainability performance. 🌿🍃🍂

CEO Teemu Kiiski explains that the framework responds to the growing demand for sustainability information within the design industry, and is a tool for both communication and improvement. 🌟 It provides a clear list of 69 sustainability claims that manufacturers must meet, helping them enhance their practices. Over 110 manufacturers have already engaged with the framework, showcasing a collective drive towards a more sustainable future. 🚀

Finnish Design Shop's commitment to sustainability doesn't stop there. From their eco-friendly logistics center to their recycled material furniture for a pop-up restaurant in New York, they are continuously proving that sustainable design is not just a goal but a reality. ✨

Join us in celebrating the experts who are shaping a greener world, one sustainable product at a time. Let's support initiatives like the Product Sustainability Framework and encourage more businesses to prioritise the planet. 👏

We are delighted to announce the new cohort of ✨ Design Council Experts! ✨

At the Design Council, we are dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and excellence in design. Our experts play a pivotal role in driving forward our mission to create better, more inclusive, and sustainable environments. This year, we have assembled a remarkable group of professionals who bring a wealth of experience and a diverse range of perspectives to our community. 💡

Featuring over 240 designers from varied disciplines including digital, fashion, arts, crafts, policy, service, systems, and the natural and built environment, their collective expertise will contribute to shaping impactful projects, informing policy, and guiding best practices across the industry.

Championing our mission – to galvanise the 1.97 million people working in design in the UK to design their way to net zero – the Design Council Expert network will be a key driver in supporting the broadening of the skills and resources needed to put planetary needs at the forefront of design. 🌎🌿

We are incredibly excited to work with this talented group and to see the innovative solutions and fresh insights they will bring to the table. Stay tuned as we reveal the full line-up over the next two weeks! 👀

Find out more here > 🔗 https://bit.ly/DCExperts

This month we are celebrating systems and initiatives as part of our in Action series. 🌏
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With 14.6 million customers, Intesa Sanpaolo is Italy’s largest bank, leveraging their influence for positive change worldwide. 💫
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From 2007 to 2014, the bank invested over EUR 11 billion in environmental and renewable energy projects, catalysing positive change across industries. 💥
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To seize the circular economy opportunity, Intesa Sanpaolo has taken four key actions:

♳ Setting circular economy as a strategic priority
♴ Innovating in financial products, credit policies and lending strategies
♵ Actively supporting the development of the circular economy market
♶ Exploring the integration of circular economy into risk assessment models
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On a day-to-day basis, Intesa Sanpaolo provides financing and consulting assistance to support their existing and future customers on their circular economy journey. Their activities include:

🟢 The Plafond – a dedicated EUR 6 billion credit facility for innovative companies of all sizes with practices aligned to circular economy principles. ♻️
🟢 A EUR 750 million green bond focused on the circular economy, with the proceeds allocated to financing circular economy companies and projects through the Plafond. 💚
🟢 A Circular Economy Lab in Milan, in collaboration with Fondazione Cariplo, designed and managed by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Cariplo Factory. The Lab supports the circular transformation of corporates and SMEs through education and open innovation programmes. 🔄
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In 2020 the group allocated more than EUR 2.5 billion to the green (e.g. renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable management of natural resources) and circular economy, corresponding to 2.9% of all group loans. ⚡ ☀️ 💧
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Moreover, in 2021 Intesa Sanpaolo announced that the bank will provide over EUR 400 billion in medium/long-term lending to businesses and households in Italy. For businesses, the group will focus its support on green, circular, and ecological transition, infrastructure and transport, as well as urban regeneration projects. 🏘️
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Each week this month we celebrate projects and initiatives that are leading the way for a as part of our series…🌎
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Introducing Desserto: the innovative brand crafting vegan leather from Mexican nopal cactus! 🌿 Say goodbye to cow and synthetic leather, and hello to sustainable fashion with a positive impact on biodiversity. 🌵
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Desserto produces vegan leather made out of Mexican nopal cactus. Just like cow and synthetic leather, cactus leather can be used for manufacturing clothes, shoes, bags, and furniture, but without altering natural landscapes to support production. 👜👚
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The nopal cactus is native to the state of Zacatecas and has a symbiotic relationship with other local species, as well as acting as a natural carbon sink. Desserto grows their cacti without chemical inputs and only the mature leaves of the cactus plant are harvested each time. 🏜️ Part of this harvest is transformed into a range of vegan leather products developed with partner companies, such as H&M, Fossil and designer Karl Lagerfeld, and the remainder is used in the food industry for maximum utilisation. 🔄
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Early life cycle assessments have shown that Desserto's cactus leather has a 500% lower eutrophication impact compared to animal leather and 10% lower than synthetic leather (polyurethane). 👇
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Eutrophication is the gradual increase in the concentration of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients in an ageing aquatic ecosystem such as a lake. ☘️ The productivity or fertility of such an ecosystem naturally increases as the amount of organic material that can be broken down into nutrients increases.
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Their organic plantations can absorb 8,100 tons of CO2 per year, which makes the 14 acre farm carbon negative, thereby helping tackle a key driver of biodiversity loss: climate change.