Linking businesses without a national standard

As a design adviser in a Business Links, each week I meet designers who see the Chartered Society of Designers as irrelevant to their business and the Design Business Association as an expense for the elite.

As my role is to help small- and medium-sized enterprises’ source effective design, what criteria should I apply to my shortlist? To “accredit” a design consultant the Department of Trade and Industry expectsBusiness Links to seek out evidence of “professional” status. By delegating the task locally there is no longer a national standard.

I have the skill and experience to buy effective communication design, but I meet many companies which don’t know where to start. If key people in the industry took time out, the CSD could be returned to its former status. SME’s would find it easier to buy good design, and well qualified designers would benefit.

Andrew Mitchell andrew.mitchell@dial.pipex.com

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