There is substantial evidence that the independent design profession contributes directly to economic wealth and the creation of employment and indirectly through the economic benefits it provides to business. These indirect benefits were not investigated as part of the study, but other evidence exists to support this (Walsh et al 1992). In the UK, the design profession contributes to exports, but only to established European and American markets. The UK design sector is well established, with 12,450 design consultancies, 47,400 self-employed and freelance designers, 77,100 in-house designers in other businesses, and a turnover of £.
