Mapping Design

This exploratory research, led by us and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, aims to understand how best to use design as a method for policy development and provide input for design policy actions jointly developed with design stakeholders.

PDR has teamed up with the Welsh Government, Scottish Enterprise, Dundee University, Lancaster University and Rose-Innes Design to explore the Design Innovation Ecosystems in Wales and Scotland.

Through four Design Policy Workshops as well as surveys among designers, SMEs, and other design stakeholders, this research has mapped the Design Innovation Ecosystems in Wales and Scotland, analysed their strengths and weaknesses and co-developed a set of policy proposals for enhancing the performance of each system. This research used design-led methods to engage a variety of stakeholders – policy-makers, designers, academics, SMEs, and support organisations – in jointly developing policy proposals.