The UK design industry has written an open letter to education minister Michael Gove asking him to reconsider his proposal to exclude design and the arts from the EBacc (English Baccalaureate) qualification that he wants in place of the current GCSE exams.

To celebrate its 100 edition New Design showcases 100 exceptional products that have been nominated by consultancies and design conscious agencies to reflect the breadth of achievement within the professional design community.

Co-Innovate is a two year European Regional Development Fund supported project to bring together the internationally renowned work of Brunel’s School of Engineering and Design with London-based small and medium sized enterprises to make a significant impact in innovation and new product development in the region.

The PT Mini is a powerful personal video communications device that is designed to work with any screen or monitor and is the first of its kind. StarLeaf needed a casework design to compliment the design language already defined by BDI member Creactive across their range of products.

BDI member Therefore has developed the GravityLight, an innovative lighting solution for primary use in developing world communities, which provides a realistic alternative to Kerosene lamps by harnessing the power of gravity.

BDI member MJV Technology & Innovation has launched an English translation of their book Design Thinking - Business Innovation, which is filled with example case studies of how design thinking has benefited Brazilian insurance companies, airlines and much more.

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, which passed through the House of Lords for its second reading, could have a dramatic knock-on effect for the world of designers, manufacturers, publishers and museums.

Backing growth industries could boost exports by £30bn, according to a recent CBI report.
By maximising the strengths in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, green technology and the creative industries, CBI analysis indicates the potential for huge export opportunities.

John Lewis has introduced biodegradable polyethylene packaging across its bed linen and schoolwear lines, in what is thought to be a UK first.

BDI member Dalziel+ Pow have used bold and innovative thinking to design a new model for John Lewis. The original single-storey building, which previously housed Debenhams, has been expanded beyond recognition into five-storeys to maximise the small 65,000 ft2 area it stands on.

Morag Hutcheon, Design Director at BDI member Quadro Design Associates, will be showcasing her TwoZero brand of high visibility clothing and accessories at Motorcycle Live at The NEC, Birmingham from 24 November to 2 December.

Sentinel has launched their new ScalePro product a non-polluting electrolytic physical water conditioning device that helps protect pipe systems and appliances from limescale encrustation. Designed by BDI member Smallfry to be effective for at least 10 years, it is ideal for use in homes or small domestic properties.

A new £2.9m Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) has been established by Warwick Business School and Aston Business School, with funding the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS); the British Bankers Association (BBA); the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC); and the Technology Strategy Board.

Sir James Dyson hopes to reignite British design and engineering after opening the Royal College of Art Dyson building. The central feature of this space will be a set of 40 incubators for young designers and engineers to cultivate British invention.

The Turkish technology market is dominated by locally operated independent stores, offering little more than an open stockroom. Vestel, the largest manufacturer of home technology products in Turkey, asked BDI member Dalziel + Pow to create a new showroom concept for them, which has now been implemented in the heart of Istanbul.

Control Techniques have launched their new Unidrive products, which have been designed by BDI member Smallfry with the factories of the future in mind, The Unidrive M series is used for complex motion control operations in manufacturing sectors such as production line automation, packaging, marine, mining and lift control.

PRIMALx7 and BDI member Product Development Technologies (PDT) have received a Gold Spark Product Design Award for the PRIMAL7, a revolutionary modular fitness product that enables users to customize their workouts to include strength training and aerobic exercises that are achievable within their fitness level.

China's top official in charge of fighting copyright piracy has slammed ‘unfair’ Western media reports that criticise the country’s record on intellectual property rights and piracy, claiming that foreign tech companies wouldn’t build their kit there if the problem was as bad as it is portrayed to be.

Dan Watson’s SafetyNet design, a net modification for sustainable trawler fishing, has won the 2012 James Dyson Award. The Royal College of Art graduate who began the project while at The Glasgow School of Art won the UK leg of the award scheme before seeing off international competition.

On BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week Andrew Marr discussed art and design with sculptor Antony Gormley, former Arts Council chairman Christopher Frayling, design tutor Sarah Teasley and industrial designer Ron Arad.