Design Business Association

Founded in 1986, the Design Business Association is the trade association for all those working in the field of design, supporting them and championing the transformative power of design. DBA membership consists of over 450 design consultancies and design-driven businesses, including many of the brightest and most respected names.

Membership of the DBA represents a commitment to effective design, a belief in quality, good working practices and of collegiate best practice sharing. Through programmes, services and activities, DBA trains, educate, recognise and celebrate the power of effective design and professional practices in small and large organisations globally.

DBA knows that design is an economic force and source of global influence. It works with its members, and the wider industry, to ensure that the upcoming challenges for the industry become opportunities to position design firmly as a strategic business competence.

DBA runs the internationally renowned DBA Design Effectiveness Awards that recognises the return-on-investment, a coherent, well-thought-out and professionally executed design strategy can achieve. Entered jointly by client and designer, and rigorously judged by business leaders in three rounds of judging, the Awards represent independent and authoritative recognition of the value of design.