UK innovation policy has focused upon scientific and technological innovations, overlooking the workplace and potential contribution of employees. While other countries have developed workplace innovation programmes to address this challenge, the UK remains a laggard. In Scotland, however, ‘skills utilisation’ has received policy attention, with pilot projects exploring how to help organisations make better use of employees’ capabilities. One project, Creating Cultures of Innovation, explores the role of design. This article considers the lessons which are emerging, and asks whether design might contribute to a broad-based innovation policy that brings the workplace back in.