Design sector has grown since 2005

The UK's design industry has shown strong signs of growth, despite the poor economic climate, research has shown.

In a major study of 2,200 design businesses and freelancers, the Design Council released its results, showing a 29 per cent rise in the industry since 2005.

Now, there are 232,000 designers in the UK, although figures showed that most of these are male, white and in their 30s, highlighting the issue of encouraging more young people and women to develop a career in design.

Rising number of freelancers was thought to have contributed to the increase. Since 2005 there was a 39 per cent rise in the number of freelancers.

However, despite the rise, the study showed that businesses are not recruiting, even though ten per cent more people are taking design-related degrees than in 2003.

David Keater, chief executive of the Design Council, said: 'There is great evidence of our top design talent rolling up their sleeves in education.

'Above all, the design industry represents a confident face to business and government as the engines of innovation, enterprise and economic growth.'