Voxpop

Which design body do you think best represents the UK design industry, and why?

‘The Design Council gets my vote – maybe because I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a few of its recent programmes. But, I think the [current] team has totally changed the place around, and the opportunity for anyone to get involved always seems welcome. It just doesn’t seem to have that old elitist thing. It’s good to have our own popstars at the helms of these organisations, and the charismatic leaders of a couple of the other big bodies are up there too for me, as is Acid, the anti design-theft group.’

JON TURNER, HEAD OF GLOBAL DESIGN, THE BODY SHOP

‘The Design Council is pro-active in lobbying on behalf of the whole design industry. It is also a confidence-building organisation which is needed to help inspire those with the capital and those with the ideas.’

MARTIN McLOUGHLIN, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LASHKO McLOUGHLIN

‘In terms of showcasing UK design, the Design Council’s Millennium Products initiative is well promoted, features over 1000 diverse examples of how design affects our lives, and is representative of our national identity – which can’t be bad. However, having been on the official Manchester United tour last month together with my seven-year-old and people from seven other countries, I can’t help thinking that UK design would have received more exposure at Old Trafford than in Tony’s tent.’

ALISTAIR SIM, ACCOUNT MANAGER, TUCKER CLARKE-WILLIAMS

‘The industry group with the most recognisable brand name is the Design Council, so my vote would be to roll up all bodies under the Design Council banner, remove all Government funding except for the Design Council education services, then set up focused sub-divisions within the Design Council, supported by subscription or fees to represent specific interests or provide services.’

DALE BEVINGTON, PARTNER, INDES DESIGN

‘I am underwhelmed by the industry bodies that send me stuff about themselves. I have got more out of meeting people from leading design consultancies or opinion formers such as Fast Company magazine.’

ROBIN RICHMOND, MANAGING DIRECTOR, metadesign london