Vox Pop

Clive Grinyer has said that, in his new role as Design Council director of design and innovation, he wants to bridge the gap between the council and the design community. What would you put top of his agenda if he is to achieve this goal?

‘My view of the Design Council is summed up in my criticism of its latest “i” publication: visually beautiful and well-intentioned, but difficult to navigate, impersonal and detached, too general to be purposeful. The Design Council needs to create self-perpetuating forums for encouraging actual linkages to companies; drum up discussions on current and future issues; and arouse incentive to promote real innovation and design excellence.’

Edgar Laguinia, Business Development Manager, Design Acumen

‘The Design Council has been more accessible in recent years, which Grinyer should build on. It has concentrated on communicating the importance of design to the business community, but this has distanced many designers. Grinyer should stress why the Design Council is important to them and motivate them to actively support his cause.’

Paul King, Chairman, M&K Design

‘I lost interest in the Design Council ten years ago, after an ill-informed leader comment by the then chairman, Simon Hornsby, about the BT piper identity – an identity which, in terms of effectiveness, was very successful. Top of the agenda should be: don’t try to speak for parts of the industry you don’t understand. It may not bridge gaps in the design community, but it won’t alienate some people further.’

Steve Howell, Executive Creative Director, Rufus Leonard

‘Grinyer must consider the Design Council’s relevance to today’s design practitioners. Many in the global design community are themselves very successful and good at promoting design. The Design Council must find inspirational, challenging, new ways to engage designers if it is to draw them closer.’

Jim Orkney, Managing Director, Kinneir Dufort

‘I can’t recall what the Design Council stands for or what it does. Once there was a Design Centre with inspiring exhibitions, a shop with a visible commitment to design, a kite marque, a magazine Our work has to be dynamic, visible and relevant to all consumers. Similarly, the Design Council must rebuild its own relevance to the design industry.’

Keren House, Creative Director, Siebert Head