Design for Scotland
Design for Scotland is a key step towards creating a strategic approach to supporting the design sector in Scotland. It is an opportunity to raise the profile of design, to develop engagement with the design sector, to explore the appetite for a national design policy for Scotland and to help the sector realise its potential, become more resilient and increase the social, economic, cultural, and environmental impact of design.
This project will bring people together through digital and in person engagement, to draw out a wide range of views from across the design sector. It will ensure that opinions and ideas are challenged and deliberated. The values, experiences, and perceptions of participants which are expressed through this process will be reflected upon alongside research-based evidence.
There are three ways to engage with Design for Scotland: join the working group, take part in the interactive survey, and sign up for project updates.
1. Join the Working Group
As part of the Design for Scotland project, we’ll be forming a working group to explore opportunities for the design sector in an evolving country. This group will work collectively to reflect on the current and future role of design in Scotland, and build scenarios which explore how design can thrive within and contribute to a future Scotland.
There will be three working group sessions, two in-person in different locations in Scotland, and one online. As a member of the working group, you will be required to attend all three sessions.
Are you working in, studying, researching, teaching, using, or supporting design in Scotland? We welcome applications from different genders, ethnicities, design disciplines, geographic locations, stages of career, disabilities and other protected characteristics to ensure diversity of perspective is included in this work.
Apply to join the working group by 7 October 2022.
We aim to respond to all applications by 17 October 2022.
2. Take Part in the Interactive Survey
Our interactive survey gives you the exciting opportunity to step into the fictional role of the first ‘Minister of Design’ for Scotland. By answering a series of questions, you will shape and communicate your ideas on the future of the design sector, while learning what others think along the way. Your response will provide valuable input into the wider Design for Scotland project.
Contribute to Design for Scotland by taking part in the Interactive Survey here. This will take between 15-20 minutes to complete.
3. Sign up to the Design for Scotland mailing list for updates
Join the mailing list to receive updates on the Design for Scotland project, and to be notified of ways you can get involved.
You will receive no more than one email per month.
What is Design for Scotland?
Design for Scotland is a research project seeking to explore how to develop a strategic and focussed approach to supporting design nationally.
It will do this by undertaking research and developing an engagement programme with partners and the design sector.
This project expands upon the work of A Design Project for Scotland (DPfS) that was established in 2018 by a group from across public sector organisations, further education, and the design sector.
Who is involved in Design for Scotland?
V&A Dundee is leading the project. Scottish-based innovation and design agency GRAFT has been commissioned to deliver the research project, alongside partners Andthen and how2glu. The project is supported and funded by Creative Scotland through National Lottery Funds. Key stakeholders are Scottish Government and the national enterprise agencies.
What is the outcome of this project?
The main outcome will be a plan to grow the design sector in Scotland that can be implemented from 2023, with a confirmed commitment from key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, and a key reference point for those wanting to use design to improve people’s lives – either as designers, businesses, or stakeholders.