The centre was active from 2004 through 2012 as an umbrella organization for design research activities at the Aarhus School of Architecture, the Kolding School of Design and The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation.
The Centre published the research journal Artifact and the webzine Mind Design, which presented research findings and articles on developments in the field of design.
The Danish Centre for Design Research also developed Webmuseum.dk Archived 2014-06-07 at the Wayback Machine, which documents and conveys web design history.
In 2005, the Danish Centre for Design Research launched a master's program in design in cooperation with The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture.
The centre's tasks were reassigned to the schools of architecture and design.