Nine of the files explicitly deal with the development of relevant policy issues. Eleven relate to the associated international Design Congress organised by the Council and held at the Royal College of Art in September, and cover administrative arrangements, correspondence, accommodation, agendas, speakers" papers and the production of a Congress report.
A further 11 files relate to a major Festival initiative which had a long-lasting impact on future Council activities. The "Stock List" was developed as an information resource to manage all the data relating to the products being exhibited. This became "Design Review" and after 1956 became publicly accessible in the Design Centre, the Council"s permanent London home. The List comprised some 2,000 products arranged in categories.
Six files relate to the Crystal Pattern Group, a Festival initiative under the leadership of Dr. Helen Megaw that devised decorative schemes based on the microscopic patterns visible in crystal structures. The remaining files cover the development of the Council"s role; its engagement with the Festival Authorities and government departments; estimates and financial planning; the design of the Festival symbol (by Abram Games); the preparation of a catalogue and other Festival publications; and the evolution of the thematic exhibitions. Lastly there are lists of the product suppliers, designers, architects, artists and craftspeople with whom the Council worked.