Singapore launches world-first index to measure design’s impact

Singapore has launched the world's first index to measure design's impact on economic growth, innovation, and social progress.

The Design Power Index (DPI), established by the Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS) and creative strategy firm Consulus, is intended to offer a longitudinal framework for quantifying the economic and social value of design activity within organisations. The DPI's debut took place at the inaugural World Design Business Forum (WDBF) and includes a benchmark set of prominent Singapore-based companies and institutions from a range of sectors. The estimated market value of all inaugural participants on the index is reported at SGD$20 billion.

Framework and motivation

The DPI study seeks to reframe perceptions of design's role in business and society, presenting design not only as an element of aesthetic or visual appeal but as a measurable driver of economic and social value. The index builds upon DBCS's legacy advocating for 'better business by design' and expands the chamber's work beyond its previous initiatives, including the Singapore Good Design (SG Mark).

Chee Su Eing, Global Chairperson of the World Design Business Organisation (WDBO), highlighted the lack of focus on design within economic frameworks, particularly given current global shifts. "We live in an age where economies are being redrawn by AI, shifting trade flows, and climate change, and yet design still sits in the blind spot of most economic models," said Chee Su Eing. "The DPI has been created to prove that design is not just decoration, but a driver of growth and long-term advantage, and we're glad to see it all come alive at the forum here."

Benchmarks and participants

Organisations represented in the inaugural index include UOB, Razer, Banyan Tree, and Carousell. The DPI assesses how design influences four main domains: business, markets, technology, and society. Companies such as Kingsmen Creatives, V3 Group and ONG&ONG are recognised for shaping the Business of Design, specifically in developing intellectual property and influencing regional experiences. Brands such as Hegen, Prism+, and Birds of Paradise are cited for their impact on the Market of Design, creating new global markets through distinctive product and branding strategies.

The Technology of Design is demonstrated by firms like Razer and Carousell, where user experience design is key for accessibility in digital platforms. Design's social impact is highlighted by organisations such as Dementia Singapore and the Centre for Healthcare Innovation (CHI), whose work applies design principles to strengthen healthcare systems and outcomes.

Design for societal benefit

"Every product, every service, no matter how small, has the potential to create ripples of social, ecological, and economic impact," said Hong Khai Seng, President of DBCS. "We want to spotlight the early visionaries already practising this ethos, and invite others to consider what 'flourishing by design' could mean for them. This is not just about making better designs, but about designing for better lives, not for a few, but for everyone."

Context and expansion

The DPI emerges at a time when research into the impact of design remains fragmented, while cross-border partnerships and initiatives help grow design's relevance. Recent efforts from regional educational institutions and global collaborations have aimed to close this gap. For example, the Singapore University of Technology and Design's partnership with 12 universities - including Parsons (US) and Tsinghua (China) - established a global Design Alliance focusing on design and artificial intelligence in higher education. Other initiatives, such as India's Shakti Design Residency and the London Design Biennale 2025, further illustrate the international nature of design as a discipline and catalyst for innovation.

According to the organisers, the DPI is positioned as a resource for future planning by governments, investors, companies, and policymakers. Over the next three years, the framework will expand to include national indexes and additional participants from countries across Asia, Europe, and the United States. This expansion aims to develop a consistent global standard for evaluating how design influences both economic outcomes and societal well-being.