Eight Decades of British Design: Design Council: 1944 to Today

For the past eight decades, British design has shaped how we live, work and express ourselves. From Margaret Calvert and Jock Kinneir’s road signage system to Vivienne Westwood’s punk revolution, and from James Dyson’s reinvention of household products to Zaha Hadid’s pioneering architecture, British design has continuously evolved, challenging conventions and redefining its role in society. Today, its influence is stronger than ever, seen in the bold climate protest graphics of Extinction Rebellion, the essential role of design during the COVID-19 pandemic, the transformative impact of the Elizabeth Line, and the groundbreaking work of contemporary designers like Es Devlin, Yinka Ilori and Thomas Heatherwick.

At the heart of this evolution stands the Design Council, founded in 1944 to support Britain’s post-war industrial recovery. Today, it is the UK’s national champion for design – shaping policy, driving change and demonstrating how design can enrich everyday life.