Voxpop

Garrick Hamm took over as D&AD president last week. What does he need to do to restore the faith of the design community in the organisation?

If D&AD wants to represent the design industry, it should focus on our industry in all its shades. What makes great design? Immediacy is one powerful aspect, but it’s not the be all and end all, and it can hardly be possible to enter into a serious debate about the award entries when you only have a few seconds to look at them. Then there’s the organisation’s tone. Envy can be a powerful motivator, but the focus should be on celebrating great design, not on who’s got the longest lead in their pencil. Inspire, don’t alienate.

Gilmar Wendt, Creative director, SAS Design

I’d like to see D&AD take more of a walk on the wild side. Can it be both establishment and anti-establishment? I think so. It has wisdom and it encourages fresh perspectives, yet I’d like to see it make more of a stand on innovation and ideas. It would be great to see a new category in the competition, one that brings brands to life in the environment, recognises an emotional connection with people and considers the whole experience, rather than a single-minded architectural approach. Let’s see more passion and more balls.

Sarah Page, Creative director, Household