New product design and development is often the result of personal vision. Harnessing this often requires a special receptiveness and enthusiasm at all levels of an organization, which serves to unlock potential and can turn the entire organizational pyramid upside-down. It is particularly important to understand and develop those aspects of design which can be constructively employed by designers in a strategic alliance with management and research.; The papers in this volume result from the conference of the Design Society held at the University of Central England in September 1998. They show how design-led product development has worked in a range of industries, from engineering through to design and management consultancy.