Singapore, 25 November 2025 — The Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS), the nation’s leading cross-disciplinary design chamber, celebrated its 40th anniversary with the unveiling of the World Design Business Organisation (WDBO), a new global platform that advances the business and economics of design launched in partnership with global creative change firm Consulus. Graced by the Guest of Honour, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the evening also honoured the top winners of the Singapore Good Design (SG Mark) Awards 2025, underscoring how Singapore’s design excellence continues to inspire both locally and abroad.

The event not only celebrated the achievements of Singapore’s design community but also DBCS’s four-decade journey in shaping design as a strategic driver of progress in business, innovation, and society. The launch of WDBO marks a pivotal milestone for DBCS, extending its model from Singapore to the world. The organisation builds on the legacy of the SG Mark, which for over a decade has set national benchmarks for design excellence, and elevates its ethos to a global stage. 

Design Power Index: world’s first longitudinal study on the economic and social impact of design

Central to WDBO’s mission is the Design Power Index (DPI), a world-first framework to measure how design contributes to economic growth, market creation, and social advancement. Through WDBO, Singapore positions itself as a neutral and trusted hub for design leadership in the economy, uniting public and private sectors across borders to shape a more equitable and sustainable global design economy. The DPI is the world’s first longitudinal economics index designed to measure and track the economic value generated by companies through the strategic use of design and the creation of design intellectual property (IP).

It aims to answer the critical question of “does design generate measurable economic value, and if so, how much?”, with a showcase of businesses and organisations globally that excel in harnessing design to drive: Business Growth, Market Creation, Technological Innovation, and Social Impact.

The 40 organisations listed in the inaugural index acknowledge that design is a key driver for their economic and social impact. They have the financial might too with over S$140 Billion in verifiable commercial value. As an inaugural cohort they have a global reach with operational presence in over 60 countries. And the collective workforce of these 40 organisations are at approximately 140,000 staff globally. This study will go on over three years to track how these organisations use design to exercise economic and social impact. 

Nine companies and organisations from this inaugural index were spotlighted and presented with the award by the President, which are: A*Star, Banyan Group, Kingsmen, Lam Soon, Mandai, Mediacorp, RSP, Zig by Comfortdelgro, and V3 Group. 

“WDBO builds on the spirit of the DBCS, the belief that design excellence and business strategy are deeply intertwined,” said Chee Su Eing, Global Chair of WDBO and former President of DBCS. “Our goal is to measure and explain the impact of design through financial language so that investors, policymakers, and corporations can understand and measure, so that the value of design becomes a tangible part of economic and social progress.”

Celebrating the 2025 SG Mark Winners

The SG Mark Awards 2025 recognised outstanding projects that exemplify creativity, inclusivity, and the power of design to improve lives.

The Platinum Award winner Castomize’s TessaCast, is a state-of-the art breathable 4D-printed orthopaedic cast that adapts to the patient’s contours for a custom fit. Its self-moulding, reusable design not only improves clinical efficiency, but also reduces medical waste by 30%. Jurors commended its blend of technical innovation and human-centred functionality, positioning it as a model for sustainable healthcare design.

Three Gold Awards were conferred this year. ReBalance by Ability Robotics was recognised in this year’s special Silver Futures category for its wearable, balance-assist technology that helps users regain walking independence. It was commended for its empathetic design and contribution to the future of active ageing. In the Experience Design category, Accessible Sights by Trigger Design and Beyond Vision International inspired with its inclusive approach to tourism through multisensory guided tours led by visually impaired docents. Created by EY Digital for the Singapore Civil Defence Force, SCDF’s myResponder App, was celebrated as a winner in the Digital Design category, for strengthening civic resilience by enabling faster, community-led responses to emergencies through its interface design.

Special Mentions were awarded to  MonoLab Studio’s The Reserve in Architecture category, an elegant adaptive redesign of an industrial building into a secure vault facility. Gallery G(ai)le + Musebox by NCS and the National Gallery Singapore, which uses conversational artificial intelligence to make art more accessible also won the title in the Experience Design category, along with CPF’s Life Supermart by PLUS Collaboratives, which simplifies retirement planning through interactive experience design. The Afternaut Group’s EDL Showcase Gallery was another Special Mention winner in the Spatial Design category, with their hybrid materials gallery that inspires creative exploration.

Each project was selected through a rigorous two-stage evaluation by an international panel of jurors, reinforcing SG Mark’s standing as a trusted symbol of purposeful design and innovation.

Honouring A Legacy of Better Business by Design 

In conjunction with its 40th anniversary, DBCS also commemorated the Remarkables, recognising companies and designers that have achieved a winning streak of five to nine consecutive years in the SG Mark since the programme’s inception in 2013. This new honour celebrates long-term excellence, resilience, and the ability to evolve with changing design and market needs, reflecting a legacy of consistency that defines Singapore’s design landscape. 

The list of 21 awardees* include names like OCBC, DBS, Keppel Land, Philips, ONG&ONG, HP and Dell Technologies amongst others. 

*(For the full list, please refer to the appendix below)

The evening also felicitated the top 10 recipients of the Seed Award, created to support promising design students and recent graduates as they grow their leadership capabilities and shape the discipline’s future. It offers a pathway for continued engagement, allowing DBCS to connect young designers with future projects and institutes of higher learning.

“SG Mark has always been a reflection of Singapore’s evolving design story, one that values empathy, purpose, and progress,” said Hong Khai Seng, President of DBCS. “As we celebrate 40 years of DBCS, the introduction of the ReMarkables and the launch of WDBO affirm our belief that design excellence, when seen through the lens of an economic driver, can be sustained locally and recognised globally.”

Over the past twelve years, the SG Mark has celebrated projects that redefine how design enhances daily life — from healthcare and education to digital technology and community spaces. As DBCS enters its next chapter, the Chamber continues to uphold its mission of ‘Better Business by Design’ through the Mark and now, the DPI as well, fostering collaboration between creative thinkers, businesses, and policymakers to shape a more thoughtful and inclusive future.

For more information, visit www.sgmark.org and www.seedaward.sg.

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About the World Design Business Organisation (WDBO)

In a world increasingly shaped by trade wars and the rapid advancement of AI, a new understanding of the economics of design isn’t just relevant – it’s crucial for survival and evolution of the creative industry. DBCS has for 40 years experimented with being interdisciplinary at its core through fostering collaboration between designers, engineers, policymakers, and business leaders, creating a melting pot of diverse perspectives for common action. On 25th of November, during DBCS 40th anniversary gala dinner and in partnership with global impact investment and creative change firm, Consulus, DBCS shall replicate this model and launch this global version of DBCS known as World Design Business Organisation which shall focus on the following 4 areas:

• World Economy of Design – Shape the economic value of design in world trade through measurable indexes, intellectual property benchmarks, financial models on the impact of design and the intersection of design with capital markets
• Design for Value – Shape the economic practice and social impact of design through aiming for global ranking in design education and preparing future designers for an Age of AI
• Business of Design Resiliency – Shape the economic valuation of design practices or companies that use design through business advisor, and setting up World Design and AI Institute.
• Organising for Unity – Shape a global multi-disciplinary, and multi-stakeholder movement that can mutually bridge Asian and Western creative companies at a time of rising division. The inaugural World Design Business Forum is an example of this.

About Consulus

Founded in Singapore in 2004, Consulus is a global creative change firm working with persons, organisations, and cities in their transfiguration toward an Economy of Communion. With a presence in 23 countries, Consulus believes that purpose and unity are essential to innovation and inclusive growth.

Consulus’ six practice areas: :

Consulus Capital – Consulus Capital facilitates strategic impact investment opportunities, guided by the principles of the Economy of Communion, to address global challenges in Food, Environment, Data, and Space.

Consulus Changemakers – Consulus changemakers facilitates a global network of changemaking organisations and individuals from companies, academia and non-profit who share in Consulus theory of change

Consulus Consulting – Practice areas in Business, Digitalisation, Place & Cities, Sustainability, and Impact Transformation

Consulus Press in partnership with LID Business Books of London – Books for changemaking

Creative Change Tools – Personal books and creative aids for changemaking

Creative Changemakers School – Leadership workshops and learning circles with global universities in Asia, Europe and the United States

For more information, visit: www.consulus.com

For media enquiries, please contact:
Elaine Chew
Senior PR Consultant, Elliot & Co. 
Email: elaine@elliotcommunications.com
Phone: +60 11-1052 3141 

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Appendix A — List of Remarkables Winners

• Electrolux Group — The Swedish home appliance leader has consistently created purposeful design innovations such as the Electrolux Washer and Iceberg Refrigerator, combining sustainability with everyday functionality.
• DBS Bank — With innovative solutions like DBS Livebetter, and DBS Digibank, DBS has won multiple SG Mark awards for its 
• Far East Organisation — Singapore’s largest private real estate developer has earned multiple SG Marks for its thoughtful urban projects, including The Cape and One Holland Village, which reimagine community living and placemaking.
• OCBC Bank — Has been recognised for customer-centric innovations such as the Next-Generation Branches and Online Investment Platform, setting new standards in digital banking experience.
• Dell Technologies — Winning products like the XPS 14 Laptop 9440 and 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Monitor S3225QC has earned the SG Mark for precision engineering and human-centred design.
• Kris Lin International Design — The architectural firm has been honoured for evocative spatial works such as Lines of Light, Flying and Textile, which blend art, materiality and structure.
• D’Perception Ritz — Redefining meaningful environments with empathy through projects such as St Luke’s Eldercare Nee Soon Central and Civil Service College Learning Oasis
• LIXIL — Recognised for pioneering sustainable bathroom and kitchen solutions, including the Accustream Sensor Faucets Collection and WizFlo Hand Shower Range.
• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) — The institute has received SG Marks for forward-looking educational and commemorative projects such as Timescapes: SUTD 10th Anniversary Time Capsule and SUTD Campus Design, 
• We Are Perspective — Projects like the Certis Security Robots have made its mark by advancing robotics integration into real-world safety solutions.
• D’Perception — Transformed public service environments, including CPF Tampines and Woodlands Service Centres, through experience-driven spatial design.
• DP Architects — One of Singapore’s most established architectural firms, lauded for landmark developments such as The Cape and JTC BioMed Hub @ Tuas Biomedical Park. 
• ID21 — The workplace design specialist has won multiple SG Marks for projects including IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group and LifeLabs@LEC, for their expertise in creating agile, human-centred offices.
• M Moser Associates — The Beam Suntory Singapore Office, Sony Music Mumbai Office and Singtel SingPost Centre Office are a few of the projects recognised  for creating transformative workplaces. 
• ONG&ONG — The design group has received SG Marks for projects including 360 Circle by ONG&ONG and Artyzen Singapore, for holistic design that integrates architecture, interior and branding.
• Pico Art International — Large-scale activations like Embodying the Synergy of Connection, the Singapore Pavilion at COP29 and Singapore Day 2019 have won them several SG Mark awards. 
• Playpoint Singapore — Known for inspiring imaginative outdoor experience projects such as Bird Paradise Treetop Play, Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor – Oil Drum Playground and Chandelier.
• Philips — Has won the SG Mark for innovations including the PerfectCare Pure GC7635 Iron and CTainer Medical Imaging System, reflecting its focus on intelligent, user-friendly healthcare solutions.
• Conexus Studio — Created winning workplace environments such as Conexus Studio @ MTower and the Sartorius Singapore Office to foster collaboration and community.
• Keppel Land Limited — The global sustainable-urban-solutions provider has been recognised for projects like the Sliding Integrated Multifunction Slim Wall System and Ocean Financial Centre

Appendix  B – List of Design Power Index Awardee

Business of Design 

Bengawan Solo
CapitaLand Group
Commune
CPG Corporation
Gryphon Tea
Kingsmen
Lam Soon
Mediacorp
OCBC
ONG&ONG
Pico Art International
Raffles Design Institute
RSP Architects Planners & Engineers
Singapore Airlines
SPH Media
Supermama
UOB
V3 Group
Zig by ComfortDelGro 

Market of Design 

Birds of Paradise
Hegen 22.JustCo
PRISM+
Uniseal

Technology of Design 

Carousell
Circles.Life 
Endowus
GovTech
Razer
YouTrip

Social Impact of Design 

A*STAR
Banyan Group
Bettr Group
Centre for Healthcare Innovation (CHI)
Dementia Singapore
Epigram
Mandai Wildlife Group
Potato Productions
raiSE Singapore
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)