This book explores issues in the development of the creative industries in Singapore, with a particular focus on the design sector. It presents case study research into the experiences of design leaders transitioning to leadership positions in the context of the Asia Pacific ‘war for talents’ and Singapore’s drive to become the design hub in Asia.

Three in-depth case studies are provided: the case of design managers, the case of design consultants and the case of design entrepreneurs. The case studies reveal complex, inter-related issues and ideals that participants desired of potential designers and future design leaders as part of their transition to design leadership and management roles.

The empirical findings of the research led to the generation of a new theory of design leaders’ transition to design leadership and management positions in Singapore, providing a framework for design career and trajectory.

This book is significant for design education in Singapore, as well as internationally, because it establishes design leaders’ expectations of designer career trajectories, and the need for a design leadership pipeline. It will be of particular interest to designers and design leaders/managers; educational researchers; curriculum developers; and graduate and postgraduate design students.