Contemporary political, economic, social and technical developments have fundamentally altered the conditions for traditional industry and for design practice. While emerging technologies have brought problems and challenges, there are also new possibilities for renewal and innovation. In doing design research projects at the Interactive Institute, we have explored emerging issues in design practice, research and strategic questions at project and institutional levels, and the wider ‘use’ of design research in joining tradition and innovation. Two research projects and a design example are presented in relation to their organizational and methodological aspects and their wider significance in order to discuss connections made between strategic, research and design values.