The Design Archives is one of four case studies featured in the National Archives’ new strategy for building digital capacity, ‘Plugged in Powered Up’. The case studies offer practical examples of how archives have implemented digital preservation processes and systems in their organisations, representing different elements of that journey. Being at a relatively early stage of digital preservation, the Design Archives’ priority was developing internal-facing policies and plans to map the route, and sustaining connections with local and national networks and initiatives for sharing knowledge and best practice.  The work contributed to our successful application for Archives Service Accreditation in early 2020 by demonstrating our commitment to advancement in this area.

In the case study interview, Archive Leader Sue Breakell discusses some of the team’s work to raise the profile of digital preservation as part of the Design Archives’ strategic development.  Digital preservation supports our objectives to collect, document and preserve the work and records of designers and design organisations, and to embed their history at the heart of innovative and inclusive education and research.