Going Global did nothing to further D&AD’s cause

David McArthur’s letter (DW 12 May) reflects my response to Michael Hockney following the Going Global: Japan talk.

While agreeing that the calibre of speakers was poor at this event, Hockney’s response to my comments was not convincing enough to make me want to join the D&AD, at least for the time being.

As the design industry repeatedly tries to convince the business sector that it is a responsible, professional group that adds enormous benefit and value to other businesses, this type of almost insultingly amateur style reinforces the views of people outside of the creative sector that we’re all self-interested w**kers.

We are not members of the D&AD at Space, as it remains to be proven how much value to us membership might be (although cheap when compared with DBA membership).

However, when all the representational bodies in design finally decide to come together and provide one comprehensive, well organised ‘trade association’ akin to the Royal Institute of British Architects, then I will look seriously at the amount of money the organisation demands for what at present is, frankly, just a redistribution of wealth from the membership to the ever-hungry organisational animal.

In the meantime, I trust that our next experience of the D&AD is a better one – otherwise both Hockney (pictured) and Design Week will be receiving another batch of correspondence.

Anna-Louise Thomas, Business development, Space, London EC1V