Design Capacity and Capability: Mapping Design in Motion in the Uk’s Furniture Manufacturing Sector

This paper presents an interim report on research into design capacity. Design capacity is defined as an organisation’s proficiency to gather and assimilate knowledge about design. For small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK’s furniture manufacturing sector, the management of design capacity is now viewed as being an integral element in business success. Key product development issues such as silent design, tacit knowledge and absorptive capacity are focused on. An in-depth case study, which incorporated the use of self-completion design communication logs, is discussed. Initial findings suggest design agency within SME furniture manufacturers relies significantly on the tacit knowledge of employees and covert design activity. The central aim of the research is to develop a design capacity audit model which, in time, could be further developed into a design capacity audit tool.