The Australian Design Council is proud to announce the launch of the Design Impact Review Program, aimed at embedding Australia’s world-class design capability into businesses, industry sectors, and the nation. The program seeks to amplify economic, social, cultural, and environmental impact by ensuring the right problems are identified and effectively solved through design.
With a bold vision to position Australia as a globally recognised design-led nation, this initiative is a major milestone in embedding world-class design capability into the heart of business strategy and national progress.
The Business Design Impact Review Self-Assessment, available for free to any Australian business or organisation, is an invaluable tool to evaluate their level of design maturity and the impact they are delivering. This self-guided assessment generates a comprehensive report that includes tailored case studies and actionable recommendations to amplify design impact.
For organisations seeking further validation, an optional Design Capability Evaluation Review is also available. This paid service is conducted by an independent Design Expert and offers formal verification of the organisation’s design capabilities and impact.
To honour the first 100 design-led businesses going through the program, the Australian Design Council will list them in the First 100 Design Showcase – a national celebration of pioneering businesses using design to drive transformational change across economic, social, cultural, and environmental domains.
Driving Competitive Advantage through Design
Design-led businesses deliver more than just innovation – they shape markets, strengthen communities, and create lasting competitive advantage. The First 100 Design Showcase is the spark to ignite a design movement across Australia’s economy.
“Design is not just how things look; it’s about building products and services that deliver real impact. It’s how businesses think, drive productivity, create value, and remain globally competitive,” said Dr. Sam Bucolo, Executive Director of the Australian Design Council. “The Design Impact Review program and First 100 Design Showcase sends a strong message to Australian businesses that design is a strategic asset for any business seeking to lead in today’s complex world.”
Australian Design Council’s Design Capability Framework
Leveraging Australia’s World Class Design Capability
The Australian Design Council’s mission is to embed Australia’s world-class design capability into every facet of business, government, and society – transforming organisations, products, services, environments, policies, and systems for lasting impact.
“As the professional body for design, the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) is proud to support this important initiative that will help grow the demand for professional designers in this country,” said Jo-Ann Kellock, CEO of the Design Institute of Australia.
“As we build demand for professional designers in Australia, we need to ensure we match this demand with our world-class design capability. We look forward to working with the Australian Design Council to draw on our DIA accreditation programs to support the Design Review Program,” added Jo-Ann.
Design as a Driver of National Prosperity
Australia stands at a critical juncture. With growing challenges around sustainability, productivity, and economic resilience, design offers a way forward. “Our challenge is how we best leverage our design capability into everything we do as a nation,” adds Catherine Livingstone AC, Board Member of the Australian Design Council.
“The Australian Design Council has long advocated for integrating design into how we build products, systems, services, and organisations, the Design Impact Review Program represents a major milestone for the Council as we move from advocacy to tangible action,” concludes Ms. Livingstone.
Beyond 100: Building a Design-Led Nation
The First 100 Design Showcase will be the trigger to inspire a belief in Australian businesses that they can amplify their impact through design capability. The Design Impact Review Program will become the benchmark to amplify the value that design creates for our nation.
“Beyond the First 100 Design Showcase we will be looking to grow the list to the next 1,000 businesses and beyond,” said Dr. Bucolo.
“The First 100 is only the beginning. It’s about creating a ripple effect – one that transforms our entire economy through design,” concluded Dr. Bucolo.
MORE ABOUT THE DESIGN REVIEW PROGRAM AND SELF-ASSESSMENT HERE
Main images courtesy of Good Design Australia
