CINXE.COM
Design for Life - The RSA - RSA
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" class=""> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=Edge"> <meta name="keywords" content="The RSA,rsa,design for life,RSA mission,rsa work,rsa projects,work of the rsa" /> <script data-ot-ignore> var epiCurrentPageLanguage = "en"; var epiCurrentPageLink = 221250; </script> <meta name="description" content="Design for Life enables people, places, and the planet to flourish in harmony. We do this by uniting people and ideas in collective action to unlock opportunities to regenerate our world." /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconSmall16.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconSmall32.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconSmall48.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconSmall128.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconLarge144.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconLarge180.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconLarge192.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconLarge192.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconLarge196.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/images/favicons/faviconLarge512.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="/static/manifest.json"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff" /> <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no"> <noscript></noscript> <meta property="og:type" content="website" > <meta property="og:title" content="Design for Life - The RSA" > <meta property="og:description" content="Design for Life enables people, places, and the planet to flourish in harmony. We do this by uniting people and ideas in collective action to unlock opportunities to regenerate our world." > <meta property="og:site_name" content="The RSA" > <meta property="og:image" content="https://thersa.org/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/design-for-life2/final-images/designforlife_globe_transparent_opengraph_1200x630.png" > <meta property="og:url" content="https://thersa.org/design-for-life-our-mission" > <meta property="fb:app_id" content='1093202560773926' /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" > <meta name="twitter:title" content="Design for Life - The RSA" > <meta name="twitter:description" content="Design for Life enables people, places, and the planet to flourish in harmony. We do this by uniting people and ideas in collective action to unlock opportunities to regenerate our world." > <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://thersa.org/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/design-for-life2/final-images/designforlife_globe_transparent_opengraph_1200x630.png" > <meta name="twitter:site" content="The RSA" > <meta name="twitter:creator" content="TheRSA" > <!-- OneTrust Cookies Consent Notice start for thersa.org --> <script src=https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="0193023b-daec-76f4-90c1-9c00ccbd601e" ></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function OptanonWrapper() { } </script> <!-- OneTrust Cookies Consent Notice end for thersa.org --> <!-- Meta Pixel Code --> <script> !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '2544854572341082'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); </script> <noscript> <img height="1" width="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=2544854572341082&ev=PageView &noscript=1"/> </noscript> <!-- End Meta Pixel Code --> <style > .rsa-banner { background-color: white; text-align: center; padding: 3rem 0; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid #000; } .rsa-banner__banner-leaderboard { background-color: white; max-width: 768px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0; display: none; } .rsa-banner__banner-mpu { background-color: white; max-width: 300px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0; } .rsa-banner__banner img { margin: auto; padding: 0; width: 100%; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } @media(min-width: 768px) { .rsa-banner__banner-leaderboard { display: block; } .rsa-banner__banner-mpu { display: none; } } </style> <script type="text/javascript"> _linkedin_partner_id = "6255506"; window._linkedin_data_partner_ids = window._linkedin_data_partner_ids || []; window._linkedin_data_partner_ids.push(_linkedin_partner_id); </script><script type="text/javascript"> (function(l) { if (!l){window.lintrk = function(a,b){window.lintrk.q.push([a,b])}; window.lintrk.q=[]} var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; var b = document.createElement("script"); b.type = "text/javascript";b.async = true; b.src = "https://snap.licdn.com/li.lms-analytics/insight.min.js"; s.parentNode.insertBefore(b, s);})(window.lintrk); </script> <noscript> <img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=6255506&fmt=gif" /> </noscript> <title>Design for Life - The RSA - RSA</title> <link href="https://www.thersa.org/design-for-life-our-mission" rel="canonical" /> <link rel="preload" href="/static/css/styles.css?v=2.6.3.24240" as="style"> <link rel="preload" href="/static/assets/fonts/gillsansbook.woff2?v=2.6.3.24240" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/assets/fonts/noedisplaybold.woff2?v=2.6.3.24240" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/assets/fonts/noedisplayregular.woff2?v=2.6.3.24240" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/assets/fonts/noedisplayblack.woff2?v=2.6.3.24240" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/assets/fonts/noedisplaybold.woff?v=2.6.3.24240" as="font" type="font/woff" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/assets/fonts/noedisplayregular.woff?v=2.6.3.24240" as="font" type="font/woff" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/assets/fonts/noedisplayblack.woff?v=2.6.3.24240" as="font" type="font/woff" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/assets/fonts/gillsansbook.woff?v=2.6.3.24240" as="font" type="font/woff" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/js/webfontloader-2.6.3.24240.js" as="script" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/js/mainApp-2.6.3.24240.js" as="script" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/js/_rsaHeader-2.6.3.24240.js" as="script" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/static/css/fonts.css?v=2.6.3.24240" as="style"> <link rel="preload" href="/static/css/header.css?v=2.6.3.24240" as="style"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/css/styles.css?v=2.6.3.24240"> <noscript> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/css/fonts.css?v=2.6.3.24240"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/css/noScript.css?v=2.6.3.24240"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/css/epiForms.css?v=2.6.3.24240"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/css/comments.css?v=2.6.3.24240"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/css/pagination.css?v=2.6.3.24240"> </noscript> <!-- Google Tag Manager --> <script> (function (w, d, s, l, i) { w[l] = w[l] || []; w[l].push({ 'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' }); var f = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j = d.createElement(s), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? '&l=' + l : ''; j.async = true; j.src = '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; f.parentNode.insertBefore(j, f); })(window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-W73N2D');</script> <!-- End Google Tag Manager --> <script type="text/javascript"> var CurrentPageLanguage = epiCurrentPageLanguage; var CurrentPageLink = epiCurrentPageLink; window._monsido = window._monsido || { token: "le2J4jQ2cE-DRFsEo2eYAQ", statistics: { enabled: true, documentTracking: { enabled: true, documentCls: "monsido_download", documentIgnoreCls: "monsido_ignore_download", documentExt: [".pdf",".mp3",".docx",".jpg",".png",".eps",".doc",".mov"], }, }, heatmap: { enabled: true, }, pageCorrect: { enabled: true, }, }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" async src="https://app-script.monsido.com/v2/monsido-script.js"></script> </head> <body class=""> <!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) --> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-W73N2D>m_auth=7wxdwHlaMw07isMwt8y37g>m_preview=env-1>m_cookies_win=x" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --> <header class="pageHeader"> <div class="pageHeaderWrap"> <div class="pageHeaderLogo"> <a href="/"> <svg> <title>Welcome to the RSA</title> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-rsaLogo"></use> </svg> </a> </div> <ul class="pageHeaderButtonWrap"> <li class="pageHeaderButton"> <a href="https://thersa.org/support-us/donate" target=""> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-donate"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> Donate </span> </a> </li> <li class="pageHeaderButton"> <a href="/my-rsa" target=""> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-user"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> My RSA </span> </a> </li> <li class="pageHeaderButton search"> <button type="button" disabled> <span class="icon open"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-search"></use> </svg> </span><span class="text"> <span class="open">Search</span> </span> <span class="icon close"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-close"></use> </svg> </span><span class="text"> <span class="close offscreen">Close search bar</span> </span> </button> </li> <li class="pageHeaderButton nav"> <button type="button" disabled> <span class="line"></span><span class="line"></span><span class="text"> <span class="open" aria-live="polite">Open menu</span> </span><span class="text"> <span class="close" aria-live="polite">Close menu</span> </span> </button> </li> </ul> <div class="pageHeaderSearch"> <div class="searchWrap"> <form action="/search" method="get" class="searchForm"> <label for="search" class="searchFormLabel">Search</label> <input type="search" name="search" placeholder="Search" id="search" value="" class="searchFormInput" /> <button type="submit" class="searchFormSubmit"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <title>Search</title> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-search"></use> </svg> </span> </button> </form> </div> </div> <div class="pageHeaderNav"> <nav class="navigation"> <ul class="navigationList level1"> <li class="navigationListItem"> <button type="button" class="hasSubNav"> <span class="text"> What's on </span> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> </button> <figure class="navigationList level2" role="group"> <figcaption class="navigationListItemTitle">What's on</figcaption> <div class="back"> <button type="button"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> Menu </span> </button> </div> <div class='section ' ><div class='section-wrap'><ul class='grid '><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Events</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/events/upcoming" class="listBlockListItemLink">Find an event</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/events/about-faqs" class="listBlockListItemLink">Events FAQs</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-4 "> <div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey alt"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image" > <a href="/events/2024/12/cost-of-workplace-ageism"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/events/rsa-programme/cost-of-workplace-ageism---event-image-2.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/events/2024/12/cost-of-workplace-ageism"> The cost of workplace ageism </a> </h2> <p class="promoBlockType" > Public Talks </p> </div> </div> </div> </div></li><li class="col-4 "> <div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey alt"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image" > <a href="https://thersa.org/events/fellowship/2025/01/lgbtqia-network-reconnect"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/images/pride-flag-and-trans-flag-1.jpg" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="https://thersa.org/events/fellowship/2025/01/lgbtqia-network-reconnect"> LGBTQIA+ Network reconnect </a> </h2> <p class="promoBlockType" > Fellowship Events </p> </div> </div> </div> </div></li></ul></div></div> </figure> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <button type="button" class="hasSubNav"> <span class="text"> Our work </span> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> </button> <figure class="navigationList level2" role="group"> <figcaption class="navigationListItemTitle">Our work</figcaption> <div class="back"> <button type="button"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> Menu </span> </button> </div> <div class='section ' ><div class='section-wrap'><ul class='grid '><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Design for Life</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission" class="listBlockListItemLink">Our mission</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/capabilities-for-life" class="listBlockListItemLink">Capabilities for Life</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/hubs" class="listBlockListItemLink">Prosperous Places</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/social-infrastructure" class="listBlockListItemLink">Social Infrastructure</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/interventions" class="listBlockListItemLink">Interventions</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Our work</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/interventions" class="listBlockListItemLink">All Design for Life interventions</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/projects" class="listBlockListItemLink">Other ongoing research</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/projects/archive" class="listBlockListItemLink">Past projects</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/fellowship" class="listBlockListItemLink">Fellowship</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Awards and grants</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/about/albert-medal" class="listBlockListItemLink">Albert Medal</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/about/bicentenary-medal" class="listBlockListItemLink">Bicentenary Medal</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/pupil-design-awards" class="listBlockListItemLink">Pupil Design Awards</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/student-design-awards" class="listBlockListItemLink">Student Design Awards</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/about/royal-designers-for-industry" class="listBlockListItemLink">Royal Designers for Industry</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "><div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="/fellowship/join"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/images/202205-rsa-fellows-festival-workshop-fellows-interacting-05-960x550.jpg" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/fellowship/join"> Become a Fellow and contribute </a> </h2> </div> </div> </div> </div></li></ul></div></div> </figure> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <button type="button" class="hasSubNav"> <span class="text"> Latest thinking </span> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> </button> <figure class="navigationList level2" role="group"> <figcaption class="navigationListItemTitle">Latest thinking</figcaption> <div class="back"> <button type="button"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> Menu </span> </button> </div> <div class='section ' ><div class='section-wrap'><ul class='grid '><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Research and articles</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/reports" class="listBlockListItemLink">Reports</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/rsa-journal-pre-2024" class="listBlockListItemLink">RSA Journal</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/rsa-journal/list-of-features-archive" class="listBlockListItemLink">Journal features</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/articles" class="listBlockListItemLink">Blogs & Comment</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Talks and discussion</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/video/events" class="listBlockListItemLink">Replays</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/video/animations" class="listBlockListItemLink">Animations</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/podcasts" class="listBlockListItemLink">RSA podcasts</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "> <div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey alt"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image" > <a href="/reports/creative-corridors-connecting-clusters-to-unleash-potential-report"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/reports/2024/10/creativecorridors_report__listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/reports/creative-corridors-connecting-clusters-to-unleash-potential-report"> Creative Corridors: connecting clusters to unleash potential </a> </h2> <p class="promoBlockType" > Report </p> </div> </div> </div> </div></li><li class="col-3 "> <div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey alt"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image" > <a href="/events/2024/11/rdi-address"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/events/rsa-programme/2024/rdi2024address_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/events/2024/11/rdi-address"> RDI Address 2024 </a> </h2> <p class="promoBlockType" > REPLAY </p> </div> </div> </div> </div></li></ul></div></div> </figure> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <button type="button" class="hasSubNav"> <span class="text"> Join and support </span> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> </button> <figure class="navigationList level2" role="group"> <figcaption class="navigationListItemTitle">Join and support</figcaption> <div class="back"> <button type="button"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> Menu </span> </button> </div> <div class='section ' ><div class='section-wrap'><ul class='grid '><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Join the RSA</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/fellowship/join" class="listBlockListItemLink">Become an RSA Fellow</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/fellowship/join/18-25-young-fellowship-offer" class="listBlockListItemLink">18-25 Fellowship offer</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="https://thersa.tfaforms.net/f/nomination" class="listBlockListItemLink">Nominate someone</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/fellowship/faqs" class="listBlockListItemLink">Fellow FAQs</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Your Fellowship</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/fellowship/get-involved" class="listBlockListItemLink">How to get involved</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/fellowship/in-your-area" class="listBlockListItemLink">In your area</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/fellowship/micro-communities" class="listBlockListItemLink">Fellowship Micro Communities</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">Support the RSA</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/support-us/rsa-partnerships" class="listBlockListItemLink">Explore our corporate partnerships</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/support-us" class="listBlockListItemLink">Ways of supporting us</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/support-us/donate" class="listBlockListItemLink">Donations & legacies</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="https://shop.thersa.org/" class="listBlockListItemLink">RSA Gift Shop</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "><div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="/fellowship/join"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="Colleagues in a group work session in a cafe" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/fellowship/join/colleagues-in-group-workshop-session-in-cafe-600x400.jpg" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/fellowship/join"> Become an RSA Fellow </a> </h2> </div> </div> </div> </div></li></ul></div></div> </figure> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <button type="button" class="hasSubNav"> <span class="text"> About </span> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> </button> <figure class="navigationList level2" role="group"> <figcaption class="navigationListItemTitle">About</figcaption> <div class="back"> <button type="button"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> Menu </span> </button> </div> <div class='section ' ><div class='section-wrap'><ul class='grid '><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">The RSA</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/about" class="listBlockListItemLink">About us</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/about/what-we-do" class="listBlockListItemLink">What we do</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/about/our-people" class="listBlockListItemLink">Our people</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/about/contact" class="listBlockListItemLink">Contact us</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "> <figure class="listBlock"> <figcaption class="listBlockTitle">RSA House</figcaption> <ul class="listBlockList"> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/rsa-house" class="listBlockListItemLink">Venue hire</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/rsa-house/coffee-house" class="listBlockListItemLink">The Coffee House & library</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/about/muse-at-rsa-house" class="listBlockListItemLink">Muse at RSA House</a> </li> <li class="listBlockListItem"> <a href="/rsa-house/accessibility" class="listBlockListItemLink">Accessibility</a> </li> </ul> </figure></li><li class="col-3 "><div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="/about/our-story/history/270-years-of-the-rsa"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/about-us/anniversaries/270anniversary_logo_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/about/our-story/history/270-years-of-the-rsa"> Making change happen since 1754 </a> </h2> </div> </div> </div> </div></li><li class="col-3 "><div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="/rsa-house"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/rsa-house/our-spaces/rsa-house---great-room---fine-dining-long-tables--600x338.jpg" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/rsa-house"> RSA House venue hire </a> </h2> </div> </div> </div> </div></li></ul></div></div> </figure> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <ul class="navigationExtraList"> <li class="navigationExtraListItem"> <span class="cta icon rsaBlack"> <a href="https://thersa.org/support-us/donate" target=""> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-donate"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> Donate </span> </a> </span> </li> <li class="navigationExtraListItem"> <span class="cta icon rsaBlack"> <a href="/my-rsa" target=""> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-user"></use> </svg> </span> <span class="text"> My RSA </span> </a> </span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <nav class="breadcrumbs"> <p class="offscreen" id="breadcrumblabel">You are here:</p> <ol class="breadcrumbsList" aria-labelledby="breadcrumblabel"> <li class="breadcrumbsItem"> <a class="breadcrumbsLink" href="https://www.thersa.org/"> <span class="breadcrumbsLinkText breadcrumbsLinkTextPrevious"> Home </span> <span class="icon"> <svg> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-chevron"></use> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="breadcrumbsItem"> <strong class="breadcrumbsLinkText breadcrumbsCurrent"> Design for Life </strong> </li> </ol> </nav> <main tabindex="-1" id="main"> <div class="articleHeader"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-6"> <div class="articleHeaderWrap"> <h1 class="articleHeaderTitle centre" >Design for Life</h1> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div><section class='section ' ><div class='section-wrap'><div class='grid '><div class="col-12 "><div class="hero"> <div class="image" > <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/design-for-life2/final-images/designforlife_globe_transparent_tightercrop_heroblockimage_700x540.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </div> <div class="titleBlock"> <h1> <span class="highlight"><span>Design for Life</span></span> <span> Our mission</span> </h1> </div> </div></div><div class="col-12 "><div class="textBlock"> <div class="wysiwyg"> <p class="intro">Economic, social and environmental crises have placed our world in a fragile, unbalanced and degenerative state.</p> <p>Our mission is to enable people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony.</p> <p>Our vision is for a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to more resilient, rebalanced and regenerative futures.</p> </div> </div></div><div class="col-12 "><div class="textBlock"> <div class="wysiwyg"> <h2>How are we achieving this?</h2> <p>We believe everyone has the potential and creativity to effect change.</p> <p>We work with people throughout their lives, and across society, to achieve regenerative impact; from children and young people to entrepreneurs, businesses and communities.</p> <p>Our approach to change involves many different disciplines and perspectives.</p> <p>Our work focuses on three areas. These are:</p> </div> </div></div><div class="col-4 "><div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/capabilities-for-life"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/design-for-life2/final-images/buildingcapabilities_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/capabilities-for-life"> Capabilities for Life </a> </h2> <p > Change starts with supporting people to learn and lead. At the heart of Design for Life is the commitment to build the skills, connections and confidence people need to fulfil their potential. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div class="col-4 "><div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/prosperous-places"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/design-for-life2/final-images/growinghubs_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/prosperous-places"> Prosperous Places </a> </h2> <p > Every person deserves to live in a vibrant community, with opportunities to thrive in a flourishing natural environment. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div class="col-4 "><div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/social-infrastructure"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/design-for-life2/final-images/developinginfrastructure_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/social-infrastructure"> Social Infrastructure </a> </h2> <p > We are aiming for systemic, long-term change. Design for Life develops and influences the conditions needed to enable people, communities and organisations to regenerate our world. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div class="col-12 "> <div class="contentListing canvasBg lightGrey"> <div class="contentListingTitle"> <h2 class="contentListingTitleText" >Discover more about our Design for Life mission by reading this blog series</h2> </div> <ul class="contentListingGrid itemCount4"> <li class="contentListingGridItem"> <div class="promoBlock pagePartial "> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image"> <a href="/blog/2023/03/design-for-life-rsa-history-mission"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/rsa-blog/2023/03/rsahouse_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h3> <a href="/blog/2023/03/design-for-life-rsa-history-mission"> RSA history towards our Design for Life mission </a> </h3> <p class="promoBlockType"> Blog </p> <p class="promoBlockAuthor"> <span>Joanna Choukeir</span> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="contentListingGridItem"> <div class="promoBlock pagePartial "> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image"> <a href="/blog/2023/03/design-for-life-six-perspectives-life-centric-mindset"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/rsa-blog/2023/03/dflperspectives_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h3> <a href="/blog/2023/03/design-for-life-six-perspectives-life-centric-mindset"> Six perspectives towards a life-centric mindset </a> </h3> <p class="promoBlockType"> Blog </p> <p class="promoBlockAuthor"> <span>Joanna Choukeir</span> <span>Roberta Iley</span> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="contentListingGridItem"> <div class="promoBlock pagePartial "> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image"> <a href="/blog/2023/04/design-for-life-constellation-of-practices"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/rsa-blog/2023/04/dflpractices_blog_hero_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h3> <a href="/blog/2023/04/design-for-life-constellation-of-practices"> A constellation of practices </a> </h3> <p class="promoBlockType"> Blog </p> <p class="promoBlockAuthor"> <span>Joanna Choukeir</span> <span>Al Mathers</span> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="contentListingGridItem"> <div class="promoBlock pagePartial "> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image"> <a href="/blog/2023/10/a-vitality-scale-towards-a-regenerative-world"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/rsa-blog/2023/10/vitalityscaleblog_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h3> <a href="/blog/2023/10/a-vitality-scale-towards-a-regenerative-world"> A vitality scale towards a regenerative world </a> </h3> <p class="promoBlockType"> Blog </p> <p class="promoBlockAuthor"> <span>Joanna Choukeir</span> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="cta"> <a href="/design-for-life-our-mission/interventions" target="">How are we achieving our Design for Life Mission?</a> </div> </div> </div><div class="col-12 "><div class="textBlock"> <div class="wysiwyg"> <h2>Why us?</h2> <p>We are unique. We don鈥檛 just generate ideas; we act on them. The RSA has been turning world-leading ideas into world-changing actions since 1754. Our research and innovation has changed the hearts and minds of generations of people. Central to all our work are our mission-aligned Fellows; a global network of innovators and changemakers.</p> <p>Explore our <a href="https://community.thersa.org/home">Circle community</a> to engage with our work.</p> </div> </div></div><div class="col-12 "><div class="promoBlock rsaLightGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="https://community.thersa.org/c/welcome-to-design-for-life/"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/design-for-life2/final-images/dfl_introblog_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="https://community.thersa.org/c/welcome-to-design-for-life/"> Engage with our Design for Life mission </a> </h2> <p > Are you a Fellow? Be part of our Circle community and help us shape a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to more resilient, rebalanced, and regenerative futures. </p> <div class="cta" > <a href="https://community.thersa.org/c/welcome-to-design-for-life/"> Join the conversation </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div class="col-12 "><div class="promoBlock rsaMidGrey"> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <figure class="image" > <a href="/fellowship"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="Smiling women in an office" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/fellowship/get-involved/people-in-modern-office---original-700x540-bw.jpg" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </figure> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h2 > <a href="/fellowship"> RSA Fellowship </a> </h2> <p > The RSA Fellowship is a global network of changemakers enabling people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony. RSA Fellows have been at the forefront of significant social impact since 1754. We invite you to be part of this change. </p> <div class="cta" > <a href="/fellowship"> Explore Fellowship </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div class="col-12 "> <div class="contentListing canvasBg lightGrey"> <div class="contentListingTitle"> <h2 class="contentListingTitleText" >Take a deeper dive into our Design for Life work</h2> </div> <ul class="contentListingGrid itemCount3"> <li class="contentListingGridItem"> <div class="promoBlock pagePartial "> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image"> <a href="/comment/2024/11/ten-ways-to-improve-planning-in-the-uk"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/welwyn-gc-960x549.jpg" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h3> <a href="/comment/2024/11/ten-ways-to-improve-planning-in-the-uk"> Ten ways to improve planning in the UK </a> </h3> <p class="promoBlockType"> Comment </p> <p class="promoBlockDate"> <time datetime="2024-11-29T08:23:00">29 Nov 2024</time> </p> <p class="promoBlockAuthor"> <span>Steve Newman</span> </p> <p class="promoBlockDesc"> Steve Newman offers provocative propositions to modernise the planning system, create affordable and sustainable homes, and offer financial benefits to the government and local communities. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="contentListingGridItem"> <div class="promoBlock pagePartial "> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image"> <a href="/press/releases/2024/groundbreaking-commission-to-supercharge-east-midlands-launched"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/press/2024/nottinghamcityhall_listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h3> <a href="/press/releases/2024/groundbreaking-commission-to-supercharge-east-midlands-launched"> Groundbreaking commission to supercharge East Midlands launched </a> </h3> <p class="promoBlockType"> Press release </p> <p class="promoBlockDate"> <time datetime="2024-11-12T09:00:00">12 Nov 2024</time> </p> <p class="promoBlockDesc"> The RSA and the East Midlands Combined County Authority have launched the Inclusive Growth Commission, which will identify and action radical plans to unleash potential and supercharge prosperity in communities across the East Midlands. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="contentListingGridItem"> <div class="promoBlock pagePartial "> <div class="promoBlockWrap"> <div class="image"> <a href="/reports/unleashing-the-potential-of-the-uks-cities-core-city-profiles"> <img loading="lazy" title="" alt="" src="/globalassets/_foundation/new-site-blocks-and-images/reports/2024/10/unleashingthepotentialoftheukscities_corecityprofiles__listingimage_600x338.png" width="100%" height="auto" /> </a> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="textWrap"> <h3> <a href="/reports/unleashing-the-potential-of-the-uks-cities-core-city-profiles"> Unleashing the potential of the UK's cities: Core City profiles </a> </h3> <p class="promoBlockType"> Report </p> <p class="promoBlockDate"> <time datetime="2024-10-28T09:21:25">28 Oct 2024</time> </p> <p class="promoBlockDesc"> This Core City profiles report extends the RSA鈥檚 UK Urban Futures Commission report, Unleashing the potential of the UK鈥檚 cities, released in September 2023. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div><div class="col-12 "><div class="newsletterBlock rsaTeal"> <h2 class="newsletterBlockTitle" >Past RSA projects</h2> <p class="newsletterBlockDesc" >Explore our recent work that brought us to this point.</p> <div class="cta"> <a href="/projects" target=""> Find out more </a> </div> </div></div></div></div></section></div> </main> <footer class="rsaFooter"> <div class="rsaFooterTop"> <div class="rsaFooterTopNav"> <nav class="navigation"> <ul class="navigationList level1"> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="/about/contact" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Contact </span> </a> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="/press" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Press </span> </a> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="https://careers.rsa.org.uk/home" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Jobs </span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="social socialLinks"> <ul class="socialList"> <li class="socialListItem linkedin"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/royal-society-for-the-encouragement-of-arts-manufactures-and-commerce-the-rsa-" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <title>LinkedIn</title> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-linkedin"></use> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="socialListItem twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/thersaorg" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <title>Twitter</title> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-twitter"></use> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="socialListItem facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <title>Facebook</title> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-facebook"></use> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="socialListItem youtube"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theRSAorg" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <title>YouTube</title> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-youtube"></use> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="socialListItem instagram"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <title>Instagram</title> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-instagram"></use> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="socialListItem vimeo"> <a href="http://vimeo.com/thersa" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> <span class="icon"> <svg> <title>Vimeo</title> <use xlink:href="/static/images/svg.svg#svg-vimeo"></use> </svg> </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <ul class="rsaFooterContacts"> <li class="rsaFooterContactsItem"> <address class="rsaFooterAddy"> <address class="rsaFooterAddy"> <p class="rsaFooterAddyTitle">The RSA</p> <p class="rsaFooterAddyEmail">General enquiries: <a href="mailto:general@rsa.org.uk">general@rsa.org.uk </a> / <a href="tel:+4420 7930 5115">+44 (0)20 7930 5115</a></p> <p class="rsaFooterAddyEmail">Fellowship: <a href="mailto:fellowship@rsa.org.uk">fellowship@rsa.org.uk</a> / <a href="tel:+442074516939">+44 (0)20 7451 6939</a></p> </address> </address> </li> <li class="rsaFooterContactsItem"> <address class="rsaFooterAddy"> <address class="rsaFooterAddy"> <p class="rsaFooterAddyTitle">Venue hire</p> <p class="rsaFooterAddyTel"><a href="/rsa-house">RSA House</a>, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ</p> <p class="rsaFooterAddyEmail">Booking enquiries: <a href="mailto:house@rsa.org.uk">house@rsa.org.uk</a> / <a href="tel:+442074516855">+44 (0)20 7451 6855</a></p> </address> </address> </li> <li class="rsaFooterContactsItem"> <p class="rsaFooterRegistered">Registered Charity in England and Wales 212424</p> </li> </ul> <div class="rsaFooterBottom"> <div class="rsaFooterBottomNav"> <nav class="navigation"> <ul class="navigationList level1"> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="/about/governance/policies/privacy" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Privacy </span> </a> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="/about/governance/policies/modern-slavery-and-human-trafficking-statement" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Modern Slavery Statement </span> </a> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="/about/governance" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Governance </span> </a> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="/terms-conditions" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Terms and Conditions </span> </a> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="/cookies" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Cookies </span> </a> </li> <li class="navigationListItem"> <a href="/disclaimer" class="pageFooterListItemLink"> <span class="text"> Disclaimer </span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="rsaFooterBottomCopyright">© The RSA 2023. All rights reserved</div> </div> </footer> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://dl.episerver.net/13.5.10/epi-util/native.history.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://dl.episerver.net/13.5.10/epi-util/find.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> if(FindApi){var api = new FindApi();api.setApplicationUrl('/');api.setServiceApiBaseUrl('/find_v2/');api.processEventFromCurrentUri();api.bindWindowEvents();api.bindAClickEvent();api.sendBufferedEvents();} </script> <script data-ot-ignore type="module" src="/static/js/appEsm.js?v=2.6.3.24240"></script> <script nomodule data-ot-ignore src="/static/js/preload.js?v=2.6.3.24240" async defer></script> </body> </html>