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Abstract
Design is increasingly recognized as a critical resource for addressing
complex societal challenges, yet its potential remains underutilized
within national policy frameworks. In Scotland, as elsewhere, there
is growing momentum to move beyond viewing design solely as
part of the creative industries, towards positioning it as a driver of
economic resilience, social innovation, and systemic transformation.
The Design for Scotland initiative, led by V&A Dundee and supported
by Creative Scotland, responds to this opportunity by advocating
for a national design policy vision that is inclusive, imaginative, and
aligned with urgent priorities. This paper builds on the first phase of
independent research led by GRAFT, Studio AndThen, and How2Glu,
which established the conceptual and methodological foundations
for advocating the broader value of design. We are now entering a
second phase, which aims to bring this vision to life through V&A
Dundee’s status as a national museum mobilizing design-led research,
advocating for both a national design policy and the integration of
design in policymaking, and enabling the cultural activation of these
ideas at scale. This paper sets out a vision for the future of design
policy conversations in Scotland, positioning design as a strategic tool
for governance, well-being, and systemic innovation, while o"ering a
transferable model internationally.
complex societal challenges, yet its potential remains underutilized
within national policy frameworks. In Scotland, as elsewhere, there
is growing momentum to move beyond viewing design solely as
part of the creative industries, towards positioning it as a driver of
economic resilience, social innovation, and systemic transformation.
The Design for Scotland initiative, led by V&A Dundee and supported
by Creative Scotland, responds to this opportunity by advocating
for a national design policy vision that is inclusive, imaginative, and
aligned with urgent priorities. This paper builds on the first phase of
independent research led by GRAFT, Studio AndThen, and How2Glu,
which established the conceptual and methodological foundations
for advocating the broader value of design. We are now entering a
second phase, which aims to bring this vision to life through V&A
Dundee’s status as a national museum mobilizing design-led research,
advocating for both a national design policy and the integration of
design in policymaking, and enabling the cultural activation of these
ideas at scale. This paper sets out a vision for the future of design
policy conversations in Scotland, positioning design as a strategic tool
for governance, well-being, and systemic innovation, while o"ering a
transferable model internationally.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Global Research in Action : Selected papers from the World Design Congress London 2025 |
| Editors | N Dutil, S Virgini |
| Publisher | World Design Organization (WDO) |
| Pages | 258-263 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-7770192-3-5 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2025 |
Keywords
- Climate resilience
- design policy
- participatory design
- speculative design
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Dive into the research topics of 'Design for Scotland: Towards a National Design Policy for a Creative, Equitable, and Climate-responsive Future'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
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Scottish Parliament Reception
Ballie, J. (Contributor)
11 Sept 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Other event
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