The Design Commission is an organisation set up earlier this year by the government to identify the factors that could both work in favour and stand against the design industry. The results of its first investigation, which looks at the way in which design is taught in the education system, have now been revealed.

The Commission has produced for recommendations for the government following its study into the education of design. These are; that there needs to be better links from further education into the design industry, that the Government needs a ‘Nation Design Strategy’, that the government should strongly stand against attempts for design to be removed from the national curriculum in schools and that the further education institutions which are successfully promoting and nurturing strong design need support and development to further their efforts.

Vicky Price, one of the leading figures within the report expressed here concern for position of design within the education system by stating ‘I think there’s a real danger, particularly with the education policy now, that both art and design and design and technology will be dropped from the curriculum and we’re not going to end up with the types of designers who have made a huge difference to economic growth.’

The report is also focusing on addressing the issue of how successfully design students in higher education are making their way into the design industry. This follows on from alarming statistics which claim that over a thirs of art and design students have failed to find full-time work within three years after graduating from their courses.