The Drum publishes annual Design Census report for 2016, providing a benchmark for UK design agencies
The Drum has published its annual research on the UK design industry, highlighting the key players in the space based on financial performance and client ratings.
The Design Census, published in partnership with the Recommended Agency Register (RAR), analysed the performance of over 100 design companies, finding that 80 per cent have achieved positive growth in the last year - represented by over £33m of growth in total.
The census ranks agencies on financial performance and client satisfaction (via the RAR system of ratings), providing an industry benchmark and identifying the best performing agencies in both criteria.
Companies are ranked against only those of similar size, determined by an agency’s design staff headcount. The resulting achievements within these four groups (40+, 20-39, 10-19 and under 10 staff) are highlighted separately within the research.
The results highlight the rankings across the financial and client rankings for each size group, as well as the results of the 'elite’ tables, ie those who have performed well across both rankings.
London’s Design Bridge achieves the highest rank in the census on design fee
income alone. It is Rufus Leonard however that tops the financial table for agencies of over 40 staff, thanks to a higher average rank across all financial criteria (fee income, growth and fee income per head).
Rufus Leonard also makes it into poll position in the elite table for the biggest agency size group, tying with Elmwood. Meanwhile, Springetts was named number one in the client ranking for the biggest staff size group.
Agencies to have made it into the Design Census are ranked here, with the full results published within a special pdf report, available for purchase. Subscribers can also read more in the Design Census supplement published with The Drum's print issue out today (20 April).