DESIGNERS IN SPACE COMMUNITY CIC

What DESIGNERS IN SPACE COMMUNITY CIC does

Designers in Space Community CIC (DiSC) is a UK-registered Community Interest Company founded in 2023 that operates a 300+ member, 16-country community connecting professional designers with space-industry practitioners. Its product surface is structured around three pillars: a free membership community (Typeform-joined, distributed via WhatsApp groups, newsletter, Medium, YouTube, and conference presence); a recurring event series comprising DiSCuss (informal online gatherings), DiSCO (open-mic showcases), and Design Breakfast (in-person networking at major industry conferences); and a paid services line offering specialized design consultancy (user research, UX/UI, visual design, future foreshighting, business model design, innovation program development) alongside education products such as the "User Centred Requirements for Space" course and hands-on workshops.

The underlying capability stack is human-centered design methodology applied to space-domain problems — including stakeholder mapping, persona development, journey mapping, prototyping, and MoSCoW prioritization — rather than software platform technology. DiSC's distinct knowledge assets include an IAC-reviewed research paper tracing 75 years of User-Centered Design evolution across IAF publications, and curriculum IP packaged into formal course modules. The team comprises six director-level contributors whose prior roles span Satellite Applications Catapult, UK Space Agency, OneWeb, Space Forge, ISU, BBVA, Fjord Accenture Interactive, and Dereum Labs, giving DiSC unusually concentrated domain-expert credibility for a sub-10-person organization.

Commercially, DiSC monetizes a small fraction of its community through bespoke consultancy engagements and training/course fees; pricing is unstated but the entry path is a free consultation bookable via Google Calendar. Target buyers span four segments: companies integrating human-centered design into space projects, universities introducing design innovation into space curricula, space agencies and institutions seeking co-creation formats, and individuals (designers/space professionals) participating in the community. As a UK CIC, the entity is structured as a non-profit distributing company, with no external funding, no parent company, and no public financials disclosed.

Name

DESIGNERS IN SPACE COMMUNITY CIC

Legal name

Designers in Space Community CIC

Website

https://dis.community

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Designers in Space Community CIC is a UK non-profit that runs a 300+ member, 16-country community connecting designers and space professionals, delivering design consultancy, training courses, and event programming for companies, universities, agencies, and individuals in the space sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Industry Design Services

NAICS

Other Specialized Design Services (54149), Graphic Design Services (541430)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)

Keywords

• Space design consultancy
• Community interest company
• Space industry education
• Design professional network
• Human-centred space design

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Design Consultancy Services: Specialized design consultancy including visual design, user research, UX/UI design, future forcasting, business model design, innovation programme development. Providing tailored support for space sector projects.
2. Education and Training: Professional courses for universities and companies on User-Centered Design methodology in space industry. Hands-on workshops for teams applying design thinking to real challenges.
3. Connections and Competence Services: Linking clients with right people, skills, perspectives. Sharing tools and methods to strengthen team knowledge in space design.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Designers in Space Community CIC (DiSC) is a UK Community Interest Company founded in 2023 that bridges the design and space professions. It delivers design consultancy, structured training (including the User Centred Requirements for Space course), workshops, networking events (DiSCO conference, Design Breakfast), and an open-access community of more than 300 designers and space professionals across 16 countries.

Product overview

Designers in Space Community (DiSC) is a community organization that serves as a platform connecting designers and space professionals. The offering consists of a member community with events programming (DiSScuss online gatherings, DiSCO open mic events, Design Breakfast networking), professional services including specialized design consultancy and education (User Centred Requirements for Space course and workshops), and a resources hub with publications and event recordings. The portfolio is structured as a unified community platform with complementary event series, consultancy services, and educational offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DiSC Community Open-access online community connecting designers and space professionals for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration; free to join for individuals working at the intersection of design and the space sector.
• DiSScuss Discussion and podcast series covering design practice, human factors, and innovation within the space industry, aimed at community members and the wider space-design audience.
• DiSCO Conference Flagship DiSC-organized conference convening designers and space professionals for talks, networking, and collaboration across the space sector.
• Design Breakfast Recurring networking and learning event run by DiSC, providing informal forums where designers and space professionals meet to share work and ideas.
• Specialized Design Consultancy Paid design consultancy service through which DiSC applies design expertise to space-industry client challenges, typically engaging organizations such as space agencies, companies, and research institutions.
• User Centred Requirements for Space Course Structured training course teaching user-centred requirements engineering tailored to space missions and products, aimed at professionals and organizations working in the space sector.
• Workshops

Quantifiable outcome

• Helps space projects get to market faster while reducing risks through user-centered design approaches

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Astronautical Federation (IAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAF Latin America partnership. DiSC has published research reviewing 75 years of IAF publications on User-Centered Design evolution in space industry.
• ODIS Design for SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst independent studio dedicated to design services for the space industry, founded by DiSC Coordinator Aleksandra Kozawska. Core partner in space design consultancy.
• Satellite Applications CatapultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK innovation organization. Multiple DiSC team members (Joel Freedman, Delia Di Filippantonia) work at Catapult. Strategic partner for innovation services.
• International Space University (ISU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution for space education. DiSC founder Aleksandra Kozawska is an alumna; collaborative on space design education initiatives.
• Space Communication Association (SCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace communications professional network. DiSC Events & Conference Strategy Director Charlie Bisland is director of Powering Space community.
• RE.GRAVITYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace industry partner listed in DiSC's partner ecosystem for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• PSPAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace industry partner organization in DiSC's collaborative ecosystem.
• Work in SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace industry partner organization in DiSC's collaborative ecosystem.
• Space ForgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK space company. DiSC team member Charlie Bisland previously worked at Space Forge applying design methodology to complex problems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• IDEO:

Broad incumbents

• Satellite Applications Catapult: UK innovation and technology centre driving satellite application adoption. Multiple DiSC team members work there. Comparable as a space-sector convening body with design and innovation programs, but with much broader scope and resources.
• Fjord (Accenture Interactive): Large global design and innovation consultancy, and a former employer of DiSC's founder. Comparable as a provider of design services to enterprise and public-sector clients including space-adjacent accounts.

Regional players

• International Space University (ISU): International institution offering graduate-level space education and professional development programs, with DiSC founder Aleksandra Kozawska as an alumna. Comparable educational offering and alumni network in the space sector.

Direct peers

• NewSpace People: Community and networking platform for professionals working in the commercial space industry. Closely comparable concept — connecting space professionals globally — with a more commercial/marketplace orientation.
• Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC): Global non-profit network of university students and young professionals in the space sector. Directly comparable as a community-of-practice connecting emerging talent across the space industry with events, working groups, and educational programming.
• ODIS Design for Space: Founded by DiSC coordinator Aleksandra Kozawska and explicitly described as the first independent studio dedicated to design services for the space industry. Closest possible peer — same founder, same niche, with DiSC acting as the community arm and ODIS as the consultancy arm.
• Powering Space: Professional community for space communications practitioners, led by DiSC's own Events & Conference Strategy Director Charlie Bisland. Closely comparable niche community model in an adjacent space-industry subdomain.
• Futureando: Strategic foresight and design consultancy co-founded by DiSC Event Coordinator Kaori Becerril. Same space-design-strategy intersection, with explicit work for the Mexican Space Agency and other institutional clients.
• Anatole42: Design agency founded by DiSC's Director of Business Opportunities Alexandre Simon, focused on digital products and services for the space sector. Directly comparable in offering (space-focused UX/product design) and founder overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@designersinspacecommunity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DESIGNERS IN SPACE COMMUNITY CIC