New design award is for professionalism

Regarding your comment (DW Comment 12 July), the Chartered Society of Designers of the Year Award in partnership with the Design Council has been created to fulfil a key aim in society – the promotion of professionalism in design. While design excellence is a prerequisite for consideration for the award, the judging criteria also demand evidence of personal qualities such as professionalism, inspiration and leadership. Nominations are being made by all CSD fellows and members, and it is the membership which will ultimately decide who wins the award by way of a postal ballot.

As far as we know this is the only award where designers can vote for their peers. It is open to designers of any age, level of experience. They do not have to be members of the CSD and there is no fee associated with entry.

The CSD and the Design Council did indeed “think very hard” before launching this new award and we are confident that the design profession can decide for itself who it would like to see as its “ambassador” for design professionalism.

We are delighted to be working with the Design Council on this initiative and would hope that other organisations interested in the promotion of design professionalism will welcome and support it.

Jane Clarke

Development director

Chartered Society of Designers

London EC1