Posted on 29 Sep, 2026

There has been a lot of discussion amongst workers, employers and politicians about the recent changes to National Insurance (NI) contributions and the minimum wage in the UK. As the government makes these changes, it is important to understand what this means for different stakeholders, in particular young workers and business. This blog article reviews the details of these changes, their possible implications, and the broader economic context in which they are occurring.

The National Living Wage has seen a substantial rise this week with those aged 21 and over now getting £12.71 an hour. That’s an increase of 50p and will affect... Continue reading >

Posted in: Careers in Design | Tagged: careers in design

Posted on 15 Sep, 2026

Dulux's annual colour selection has evolved from discussing simple day-to-day trends to forecasting major global design movements. A panel of experts gather at a specially selected location in the Netherlands each year to discuss global problems, forecast trends and paint a picture of consumer life for the next 12 months. The transformation has been remarkable over the decades.

The colour forecast offers a snapshot of trends for the forthcoming year and shows how tastes and historical colours have evolved. The focus has moved from talking about colours in general during the first decade to addressing much bigger ... Continue reading >

Posted in: Interior Design | Tagged: Interior Design Furniture Design

Posted on 25 Aug, 2026

Do you recall when purchasing a washing machine, television, kettle or even a pair of shoes was an investment and not a temporary purchase?

Many household products used to be made to be repaired, maintained and used for years. Nowadays, products can sometimes appear to be designed for a much shorter lifespan. A phone slows down, a washing machine breaks down, a kitchen appliance stops working and suddenly the cost of repair is so close to the price of replacement that buying something new seems the only sensible option.

Is it just that today's products are poorly made? Or is there something much larger afoot behind our disposable ... Continue reading >

Posted in: Careers in Design

Posted on 12 Aug, 2026

It has never been a matter of advertising a vacancy and waiting for the right CVs to come in to find talented designers. In a competitive market, the best design professionals are often already employed, very selective about their next move, and looking for more than just a competitive salary.

Whether a company is looking to hire a product, furniture or interior designer or a design director, recruiting outstanding design talent requires a different approach than traditional recruitment.

1. The job description is not selling the opportunity

One of the biggest mistakes comp... Continue reading >

Posted in: Careers in Design

Posted on 28 Jul, 2026

The furniture industry has been significantly transformed by the rise in new materials.  With the combination of sustainability, new technology and trends it is now transforming how furniture designers design.

With increased awareness of environmental issues, designers are opting for sustainable materials to decrease their impact on the environment. More and more traditional materials such as plastic and timber are being replaced with eco-friendly options. These are becoming increasingly popular as they are renewable and less destructive to the environment such as bamboo, reclaimed wood and recycled plastics.

Bamboo is a rapidly growing... Continue reading >

Posted in: Furniture Design

Posted on 14 Jul, 2026

The key to success in the highly competitive field of design is to build a team of talented people. Design organisations often struggle to locate the ideal specialists, not only in terms of talents but also in terms of the culture of their organisation. The fast-paced technology growth and the ever-changing nature of design has never made finding the appropriate applicant more crucial. However, many businesses fall into similar pitfalls and make blunders that can hold them back and impact on their longer term goals.

One of the most common blunders is failing to clarify positions and duties before hiring begins. If job descriptions are unclear, candidates may not kn... Continue reading >

Posted in: Careers in Design

Posted on 30 Jun, 2026

Design for wellbeing is a new concept that is gaining momentum and it is all about designing spaces that encourage mental and physical health. This design process is not only about aesthetics and beauty but also to create settings that promote the overall wellness of the individuals.

The approach to Wellbeing in design is a holistic consideration that incorporates choice of materials and hues, spatial organisation and natural aspects. These elements are all deliberately interwoven to create harmonious places that develop mental clarity, reduce stress and promote physical mobility. 

Posted in: Designers

Posted on 16 Jun, 2026

Design interviews are not only about design skills and project experience, but also about testing candidates’ problem-solving skills and creative thinking. Many interviewers use hypothetical scenarios or real-world problems to see how candidates think and approach problems. This helps the employer to see how the candidate can think on their feet and use design principles in a practical way. Preparation is therefore the key to successfully navigating these interviews.

It also helps if you have a good understanding of the company’s culture and design philosophy going into the interview. Candidates should research the organisation to tailor their responses and show how they would contribute to the team. If a candidate can ma... Continue reading >

Posted in: Interviewing | Tagged: Interview Questions

Posted on 26 May, 2026

Many professionals are unsure of how best to negotiate their salary. They may be fantastic at their jobs and deserve that rise, but negotiation brings up emotions like fear of rejection, lack of confidence and self-doubt that can sabotage the process. Most employers however expect you to negotiate and often respect you more for it. Not negotiating can mean leaving money on the table, not just today, but for future raises and bonuses. So, how to negotiate a salary offer? We look at why negotiating salary can be daunting, how to prepare with confidence, and what to say during negotiations to get the pay you deserve.

Salary negotiation can be scary for so many reasons but it doesn’t have to be. The reason salary negotiation is so intimid... Continue reading >

Posted in: Interviewing

Posted on 12 May, 2026

Interior design trends for this year are currently in the spotlight, with Google searches for ‘burl wood furniture’ soaring by more than 5000% in the past month alone! It’s a sign of the changing homewares sector. The French home decor market alone is worth about 25 billion euros a year. Consumers are increasingly looking for quality pieces that combine craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Our latest blog looks at what will define the leading homeware brands in 2026 and features the top designers driving the industry. It also explores the latest interior design trends shaping the collections with practical tips to pick statement pieces.

Posted in: Designers