My colleague Calin – a brand analyst – was, as he said, “wrestling with a presentation on the value of design” and found this article or better this serie of articles – a Special Report from the BusinessWeek, that also links to a lot of interesting further information:

The Value of Design, by Helen Walters
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/feb2010/id2010021_071409.htm

“opinion pieces on the value of design from those within and outside the profession. IDEO partner Diego Rodriguez makes the case that good business arises from a design-centric process that incorporates marketing, research, and ideas. RKS Design’s Ravi Sawhney and Deepa Prahalad outline four specific areas in which design can create value: understanding the consumer; mitigating risk; boosting marketing and branding; and driving sustainable business practices.”