Who We Are
The Design Business Association (DBA) was set up in 1986 and is the trade association for design in the UK. The DBA supports all those working in the field of design and champions the transformative power of design. Its membership is a dynamic network of UK based design consultancies and design-driven businesses from across Europe with a common belief in excellence, good working practices and a commitment to effective design.
What We Do
The DBA galvanises the design sector to achieve its potential, by providing a powerful, united industry voice to champion the strategic and economic value of design to business and government, supporting its members who make an impact through design, and spotlighting design as a force for good in society.
Our top three high profile projects:
Design Effectiveness Awards
The DBA Design Effectiveness Awards recognise wide-ranging examples of design that have had a tangible and measurable impact upon business and societal success. Judged by business leaders and entered jointly by client and designer, the Awards celebrate the integral role design plays in enhancing people’s lives and delivering competitive advantage for business. They provide compelling proof that an investment in design is an investment in the future of a business.
Twenty/Twenty mentoring
The DBA Twenty/Twenty programme pairs rising industry leaders with established design pioneers for a 12-month one-to-one mentoring relationship. Designed specifically for individuals who want to take their thinking around business issues, their people and themselves to the next level, since launching in 2011, more than 400 participants from over 250 businesses have participated in Twenty/Twenty.
Events and professional Development
The DBA’s training courses are focused on developing business skills and are accessible globally, while the DBA’s series of stimulating events and webinars focus on both long-standing and emerging issues relevant to the design community. The courses and events are tailored to those working in the design industry and feature renowned experts and speakers who bring fresh insight, information and inspiration.
Events
Project Management
Understand best practice and get your projects running through your business smoothly with this two-part practical skills, online workshop. Whether you're new to project management or have been in the role a while, this workshop provides tried and tested techniques to develop you into a confident project manager... read more
Resilience
Never has personal resilience been so crucial for leaders in business as it is today. Build on your personal resilience and stay true to yourself to transform the way you lead your teams at this 90-minute online workshop... read more
Powerful Presentations
Build your skills and confidence to deliver more powerful and effective presentations, both online and in-person, that get the results you need with this two-part virtual course... read more
Winning Pitches
Get the inside thinking on pitching best practice in this two-session online workshop and apply the techniques straight away... read more