The DBA has launched its latest white paper, produced in partnership with the Council for Higher Education in Art & Design (CHEAD).
To maintain our global standing as a destination for world class design services, we must guarantee the quality of the design talent coming into our sector. Launched on 18 June 2026, ‘A Shared Vision for Industry-Led Design Education within Higher Education‘, produced in partnership with our friends at CHEAD suggests a systemic approach for leaders to reimagine succession into the industry.
The report calls on Higher Education, Government and Industry to work together to secure future generations of design graduates, ensuring emerging practices reflect the aspirations and realities of those who will enter, inherit and reshape the profession.
This is just the beginning, but today we urge you to read the report and consider what it is that you will do to support this cause.
Professor David McGravie, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) at the University of Chester, says: “As Chair of CHEAD, I am delighted to endorse this important mission outlining the principles of industry-led design in Higher Education.
Industry-ready design graduates will represent the future creative talent of the design sector, offering new, diverse perspectives, innovative thinking, and the energy to drive the industry.
They will possess up-to-date technical skills in content creation, AI, and sustainable practices, informed by the vital real-world expertise they will have gained throughout their programme of study.”
“If industry and education are working well together, graduates enter their careers ready and equipped to contribute. We want this to be true for every design graduate, and we look forward to working with CHEAD to make this a reality nation-wide.”
Deborah Dawton, CEO, DBA