I just got invited to a 'free' 2 day design course that Microsoft are running in London (hmmm, I wonder why they invited me?) so there is no doubting that the desire for their developers/designers to utilise good design is there. And there is clearly a demand judging by how quickly these events sell out.
But as the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water ...
BTW I think my design skills are actually improving, Still lots of work to do but actually quite chuffed with the latest revision to LTN. (Go on, I dare you ... do your worst ...)