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DESIGNING
FOR
IMPACT

Embedding design capability into organisations to deliver meaningful impact for our economy, environment, society and culture.

DESIGN FOR A BETTER AUSTRALIA

WE CHAMPION THE POWER OF DESIGN CAPABILITY TO DELIVER MEANINGFUL IMPACT THAT FUELS ECONOMIC GROWTH, STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES, AND SHAPES A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND PROSPEROUS AUSTRALIA.

Our mission is clear: 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.

From product innovation to business model design, digital experiences, communication design, architectural design, service design, and policymaking to social impact—design is an engine of progress. We advocate for its role across business and industries, ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of global innovation.

”“The Design Industry is as big as the construction industry. The contribution to Australia's GDP of design-related industries and workers is $67.5B - more than 3.5% of GDP - equivalent to the construction industry.”

Source: 'Defining Design", IP Australia, 2020

WHAT DO WE MEAN
BY DESIGN CAPABILITY?

Design Capability is the application of an iterative and rigorous process embedded at all layers of an organisation to deliver greater impact.  

DESIGN PROCESS STAGES:

1. Define – How do you ensure the right problem is being solved by questioning your assumption and ensuring you are focused on delivering the widest possible impact?

2. Empathise – How do you challenge and validate the impact you will deliver by working with your customers and stakeholders at the deepest level possible?

3. Ideate – How do you generate new product and service concepts to meet the design impact criteria you have defined?

4. Evaluate – How do you evaluate your best concepts early and often, to ensure your solution will deliver the impact you have defined?

5. Launch – How do move from prototype to a commercial solution and ensure you do not compromise on the impact you have defined?

DESIGN IMPACT PILLARS: 

1. People and Culture – Designing to improve the quality of life for society and citizens and to acknowledge and shape Australia’s cultural identity and heritage in a respectful and inclusive manner.

  • How do you improve the quality of life for individuals and communities through your strategy and the products and services you design?
  • How do you consider the cultural implications of what it means to be ‘Designed in Australia’?
  • How do you ensure that our design process is informed by cultural inclusion, allowing for the meaningful involvement of First Nations peoples and culturally diverse communities?

 

2. Planet – Designing for Environmental Sustainability and Circularity.

  • How do you reduce your environmental impacts, contributing to conservation efforts and supporting the transition to a more environmentally sustainable, circular and regenerative Australia?
  • How do you ensure your products and services are designed and made for longevity, scalability and adaptability over time?
  • How do you we better use recycled or reclaimed materials over raw materials?

 

3. Prosperity – Designing for Commercial and Economic Return.

  • How do you use design capability to navigate economic challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth and profitability?
  • How do you ensure you are maximising the value you create while capturing value back within your business model?
  • How do we measure the success of our new products and services in economic terms?
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