- The Design Power Index (DPI), which was introduced at the World Design Business Forum 2025, illustrates the global ways in which design drives growth, innovation, and social progress.
- DBCS, which has been advocating for “better business by design” for four decades, is now expanding its model globally with the establishment of the World Design Business Organisation (WDBO) on November 25, 2025.
- The inaugural index of the DPI, which is anchored by prominent names such as UOB, Razer, Banyan Tree, and Carousell, establishes a new global benchmark that demonstrates the impact of design on economies in the areas of business, markets, technology, and society.
- To date, the estimated market value of all private and public companies that have accepted the nomination to be included in this inaugural index has exceeded SGD$20 billion.
Singapore, September 22, 2025 — The world’s first longitudinal framework to quantify the economic and social impact of design was unveiled today by the multidisciplinary Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS) and global creative change firm Consulus. At the inaugural World Design Business Forum (WDBF), the Design Power Index (DPI) was introduced to resolve a long-standing inquiry: how can we quantify the social impact and economic growth of design in business and society?
The initial phase of the study involves the benchmarking of numerous prominent organisations in Singapore with the objective of transforming design from an aesthetic pursuit to a quantifiable driver of economic value. The DPI, which was established under the stewardship of DBCS, continues the chamber’s decades-long mission to promote “better business by design.” It expands its efforts beyond the recognition of excellence through the Singapore Good Design (SG Mark) to demonstrate the influence of design on economies. The index will be replicated annually and is longitudinal.
Chee Su Eing, Global Chairperson of the World Design Business Organisation (WDBO), stated, “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. 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.”
The forum, which was themed “Flourishing by Design,” brought together economists, business leaders, academics, and policymakers to discuss the potential of design as a strategic instrument for competitiveness in a volatile global economy. The sessions examined the intersection of design with trade, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, reflecting the urgent issues that are influencing markets worldwide.
The DPI’s analysis of the impact of design across four dimensions was the focal point of the forum. Kingsmen Creatives, V3 Group, and ONG&ONG are prime examples of the Business of Design, as they transform expertise into intellectual property that influences the skylines and experiences of the region. The Market of Design is captured and transformed by homegrown brands such as Hegen, Prism+, and Birds of Paradise, which demonstrate how distinctive design can establish global brand legacies and create entirely new markets. Razer and Carousell are examples of companies that embody the elegance of Technology of Design, transforming complexity into seamless platforms for digital marketplaces or gaming communities. Dementia Singapore and the Centre for Healthcare Innovation (CHI) are healthcare pioneers that have demonstrated the potential of design to fortify systems in preparation for the future of the nation through the Social Impact of Design.
Hong Khai Seng, President of DBCS, added, “Every product, every service, no matter how small, has the potential to create ripples of social, ecological, and economic impact. 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.”
At a time when cross-border collaborations are gathering significant momentum, the DPI is being unveiled at a time when the impact of design is being studied, albeit in a fragmented manner. In the previous year, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), which is also a member of the DBCS Institute of Higher Learning (IHL), formed a partnership with 12 global institutions, including Parsons in the United States and Tsinghua in China, to establish the world’s first Design Alliance. This alliance is dedicated to the advancement of AI and design in education. The Shakti Design Residency in India, which connects international designers with local ateliers, and the London Design Biennale 2025, which exhibits installations from over 20 nations, underscore the fact that design has evolved into a borderless language for innovation and exchange.
In this context, the DPI occupies the intersection of economics and design, not only capturing the value but also informing future investments, policies, and strategies for resilience and growth. The study will expand to encompass corporations in Asia, Europe, and the United States over the next three years, thereby establishing a unified framework for assessing the economic impact of design on a global scale.
