Design Unity takes a step forward

The six design industry bodies constituting Design Unity, formerly the Halifax Initiative, are considering independent recommendations on how to communicate better among themselves and with their various audiences.

They are also looking to appoint a designer to create an identity for Design Unity.

Representatives from the Design Business Association, Chartered Society of Designers, Design Council, British Design and Art Direction, Royal Society of Arts and Design Museum met last week to hear the recommendations from marketing consultant The Preddy Consultancy.

They include publication of a basic yearbook, produced at minimal cost, detailing the services offered by each organisation for distribution among the staff of the six bodies. To promote better understanding between the bodies, consultancy director Shan Preddy also proposes a “congress” involving all staff to be held towards the end of the year.

To communicate a more coherent voice to the external audience, including Government, industry and the media, Preddy suggests publication of a small, professionally produced booklet, again detailing the six bodies. In the longer term, she proposes a Design Unity website be set up.

Design Unity was born of a move last year by the then DBA chairman Jonathan Sands to give design a unified voice. The original review team comprised Sands, the then CSD president Nick Jenkins, Design Council design and communications director Sean Blair and Design Week editor Lynda Relph-Knight. It has 5000 in the kitty, pledged by The John Lewis Partnership.