A successful design business is as much about how you balance and manage your finances, as it is about creative excellence.

We’re not here to tell you how to succeed at the creative – you’re the experts on that – but we can make you aware of the financial pitfalls and provide the support and expert advice you need to plug the holes and make your business more efficient.

Under charging clients?

The DBA’s annual report on charge out rates, salary levels and trends is the most comprehensive available to the design industry and is exclusive to DBA members. The report provides an invaluable opportunity to benchmark your business against data taken from leading design businesses.

Still giving your creative expertise away for free?

The DBA strongly believes you should be paid for every step of the design process.

Free pitching will always be an issue in our industry, but we can help you change the way you win new business, enabling you to gain the edge over competitors and to stop giving away your ideas for free. Our events and training courses will bring you into contact with experts at the forefront of reshaping the way design consultancies build their client relationships.

Love the creative side of business, but dread managing your finances?

You’re not alone and our financial support services and guides are there to save you time and money and most importantly give you peace of mind. We provide everything from direct and free access to accountants who specialise in advising the creative industries on a wide range of business and finance issues, to financial management training and business support on issues such as tax and how to make clients pay up on time!

Benefit by joining the DBA

More useful 'Little Pointers' for design business success

So who are we and how do you join?

The Design Business Association (DBA) is the trade association for the UK’s internationally acclaimed design industry.

No other country has the strength in depth offered by UK design businesses and the DBA represents over 360 of these leading design consultancies from small specialist firms, to large international communications agencies. Our members are not only a varied lot, but are also based up and down the country, with over 50% sitting outside of London.

DBA membership has doubled in just the last two years alone, enabling us to offer an ever-greater range of advice, services and activities which will save you valuable time and money in ensuring your business is running successfully and profitably.

As we celebrate our 21st anniversary, there has never been a better time to join the DBA and to get involved.

We're looking for consultancies with drive, ambition and a dedication to improving their business performance. You'll also have an interest in the health and future of the UK design industry and understand that the greatest strength is in numbers.

Fit the profile? Join us now

Take a look at the full range of membership benefits and download an application form by clicking here.

We'd be happy to discuss how the DBA can best support your business, so please do give the membership team a call on 020 7251 9229 or email membership@dba.org.uk