Measuring the Value of Design in Singapore

This study explores how design delivers value to Singapore-based organisations, enhancing profitability, strengthening strategic performance, and supporting broad environmental and social benefits. It introduces a Theory of Change framework to help organisations more effectively communicate and measure the value of their design activities.

Fig. 1. The Design Impact Framework. From The Value of Design Study (2025), pp.16-17.

In this report, we examine the value of design across Singapore’s economy, addressing longstanding gaps in how design’s impact is understood, measured, and communicated. Despite design being widely used—from product development and marketing to systems design and environmental planning—the evidence of its benefits is often fragmented or anecdotal, limiting its uptake and strategic use.

Through a survey of 270 Singapore-based organisations, the study finds strong and consistent evidence of design’s contribution to organisational performance. More than 90% of design users report positive outcomes, with over 75% citing significant gains in profitability. Higher design maturity—whether through adopting a broader range of design disciplines or applying design more strategically—correlates with markedly stronger performance. Leadership commitment is also critical: organisations with C-suite design champions report substantially higher impact from design. Beyond commercial outcomes, design delivers societal benefits, with most users noting strong environmental and social impact.

To help organisations better harness and measure design’s value, the study introduces a Design Impact Framework, based on a Theory of Change, that provides guidance on articulating the value of design. The report recommends integrating design at a strategic level, expanding multidisciplinary use of design, and aligning design initiatives with national sustainability and care priorities.