Architecture, Design, Fashion - British Council

The production of woven fabric in Uzbekistan. Photo: Chloe Andrews de Carvalho.

75 Years of Design in Britain 1934–2009

Read an essay by design curator Catherine McDermott that documents the role design has played in Britain over the past 75 years. The essay was commissioned to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the British Council.

Design in Britain Now

Find out what the Architecture, Design, Fashion team's highlights were from this year's London Design Festival, which took place in numerous venues across the city for nine days during September 2009.

Architecture, Design and Fashion are amongst the most powerful areas of creative expression within Britain today. Covering an array of disciplines, from furniture, product, interaction and graphics through to the urban environment and contemporary fashion UK designers and architects are pushing the their practice and looking to the future with their innovation and high standards of production. Our cultural relations work extends to all areas of UK architecture, design and fashion to showcase the most exciting and best work outside Britain in partnership with our overseas network, we create high impact projects for long-term cultural benefits.

Creative Cities

A three year cultural programme between the UK and East Asia to develop creative cities with successful knowledge economies where global citizens can thrive.

The Incidental

A community-generated news pamphlet and website that provided an open platform for everyone to discuss UK contemporary design during the London Design Festival in September.

Experimenta

Six designers and collectives were commissioned to create a series of site-specific commissions to represent Britain as part of Experimenta 2009 in Lisbon.

Current Activity

Every year we support a wide range of architecture, design, fashion and textiles projects globally developed in partnership with our network of offices around the world. Learn more about some of our recent and forthcoming projects.

How We Work

Our team works to present the best of contemporary and innovative design practice from the UK and promote international collaboration and creative exchange through the British Council's international network. Learn about the type of work we do, who we are and how to contact us.

Design Disciplines

Covering architecture, product and furniture, graphics, craft, fashion and textiles, we programme projects across many disciplines in design. Learn more about the various disciplines and read examples of our work within each area here.

Publications and Resources

We produce catalogues to accompany exhibitions, a bi-annual newsletter and online resources including the Design in Britain and Venice Architecture Biennale websites. This section also details periodicals and online resources, not produced by the British Council, that offer an introduction to contemporary design in the UK.

Design in Britain

Visit our Design in Britain website (which we share with the Design Museum) and read a selection of interviews and biographies of Britain's established and up-and-coming designers.