Voxpop

Three past presidents of the Chartered Society of Designers have aired concerns about the society on DW’s Opinion page in recent weeks. How do you think the CSD might best shape up in the future, as a membership body and an official representative of UK design?

‘Less is more! I have never understood why there are three design industry bodies, the voice for our industry would be far stronger coming from one organisation. I would, however, like to see a fresh forum for the younger blood in the design community. Perhaps replacing the CSD with a website would resolve some fundamental issues: cheap overheads, global access to British design and a new accessible environment for design discussion.’

Geoff Nichol, Creative Director, Navy Blue Design Consultants

‘I don’t know what the CSD is for anymore. The design world has moved on into the future and left one of the societies that is supposed to represent it bickering in the past.’

Janice Kirkpatrick, director, Graven Images

‘What the CSD should work on is the image and reputation it has within the design industry, and what it does to benefit it. What does the CSD do? A question even some of its members now ask! Maybe it could consider setting up a forum for debate on the Web, so the design industry as a whole could comment on the CSD.’

Scott Rozier, Designer, Fonda

‘The image the CSD conjures up is a stuffy club for retired designer folk out of touch with current needs. To address this negative image problem it needs to recruit a range of young, high profile designers with an attitude to embrace change. It should get closer to what’s happening in the industry and start delivering benefits to the sharp end of the design community, which can then trickle down to the regional members. Finally, get rid of the letters after members’ names.’

John Larkin, Director, Design House

‘It has always been the perception that the CSD has never had a strong figurehead. It has always had to rely on its presidents to provide the stimulus. Even with the hijacking of the DBA into its fold it still needs to offer a more commercial direction and lobbying ability. The public sector should stop relying on the private sector.’

John Rushton, Managing director, The Small Back Room