Singapore has launched the Design Power Index (DPI), the world’s first framework to measure the economic and social impact of design. Unveiled at the World Design Business Forum, the index seeks to redefine design as a measurable driver of economic value, rather than just an aesthetic pursuit. This initiative is spearheaded by the Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS) and Consulus, a global creative change firm.
The DPI, anchored by companies such as UOB, Razer, and Carousell, aims to set a new global benchmark by demonstrating how design influences economies across business, technology, and society. The estimated market value of the companies on this inaugural index is $14.6b (S$20b). Chee Su Eing, Global Chairperson of the World Design Business Organisation, stated, “The DPI has been created to prove that design is not just decoration, but a driver of growth and long-term advantage.”
The forum, themed “Flourishing by Design,” gathered economists, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss design’s strategic role in a volatile global economy. Discussions highlighted the intersection of design with trade, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.
The DPI’s analysis focuses on four dimensions: Business of Design, Market of Design, Technology of Design, and Social Impact of Design. Companies like Kingsmen Creatives and Razer exemplify how design can transform industries and create new markets.
The DPI will be expanded over the next three years to include companies from Asia, Europe, and the US, establishing a shared basis for evaluating design’s economic impact worldwide.
