Making Design Count in the Philippines
We're proud to have participated as a delivery organisation for the Design Counts project, a ground-breaking initiative funded by the British Council and led by the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP). This project aimed to comprehensively map the Philippine design ecosystem for the first time, paving the way for the development of the country's first National Design Policy.
Our design policy team played a crucial role in the project. Our expertise in research methodology was instrumental in overseeing the data collection and analysis phases. We provided guidance on policy recommendations, ensuring the final policy effectively recognises the significant contribution of design to the Philippine economy.
The Design Counts project employed a multi-faceted approach. This included extensive research on the design industry across nine key Philippine cities. The project team analysed the economic contribution and value chain of design, categorized the design sector, and identified strategic areas for policy intervention.
The project's findings shed light on the design industry's current landscape. The research revealed that design makes a substantial impact on the Philippine economy, contributing 1.8% to total employment and a remarkable 6.6% to the gross value added (GVA). Additionally, the research identified the industry's current focus on image and object creation, with a concentration in urban areas and a younger workforce.
This valuable data serves as a critical foundation for the newly established National Design Policy. The recommendations included actions in five key areas:
- Boosting Awareness: A national campaign and regional design hubs will raise the profile of design and its value across the Philippines.
- Embedding Design in Business: Existing innovation programs will be adapted to integrate design, while a "Design Voucher" program will make design services accessible to small businesses.
- Future-Proofing Design Skills: A new design curriculum aligned with the government's agenda will equip Filipinos for the future. Student design competitions will also foster problem-solving skills.
- Elevating the Design Sector: A training program ("Design Thinking Academy") will create a pool of design trainers, while promoting design initiatives by diverse groups.
- Design-Driven Policy: A "Policy Lab" will train civil servants in design thinking, and a pilot program will allow experimentation with design approaches for future challenges.
We remain committed to supporting the design sector's growth in the Philippines. Our dedication to design advocacy, positions us as a key partner in fostering a thriving design ecosystem within the country.
To find out more read the full report or if you’d like us to partner with you on your project get in touch.
