The Design Research Unit, formed in 1942 in London was the first consultancy that stimulated artists and designers of various disciplines to work together on schemes of design that would affect society as a whole. It was the first integrated design practice in Britain, combining architecture, graphic design, industrial and engineering design and is the oldest industrial design office in Europe. This publication detailing the research and a programme of talks by artists, designers and critics will bring contemporary perspectives to this history. The project refers to a broader discourse on the subject of design within current art practice, addressing the relevance of the Unit's legacy to practitioners and audiences today.