Design bodies reveal strategies for 2000

Three of the design industry’s four representative bodies have unveiled their plans for 2000.

High on the Design Business Association’s agenda is promoting its activities to an international audience, with its new Deepend- designed website providing “a major impetus” for this drive.

DBA chief executive Ian Rowland-Hill hopes to build on DBA discussions with Government departments by launching “more co-ordinated and effective programmes to support existing exporters, as well as initiatives to help new exporters develop their capabilities”.

“Our training courses will include masterclass workshops, reflecting new development in ways of doing business effectively and a new business breakfast series will look at issues such as the role of product design in increasing brand success and the role of design in running an ethical business,” he says.

The year is set to be important for The Design Council, with the appointment of a new chairman in April when John Sorrell’s tenure ends and a replacement for Sean Blair as design director.

“The key thing for us this year will be having innovative activities. There will be a series of initiatives and publications launched on this theme,” according to a Design Council spokesman.

“The Millennium Products initiative continues in the shape of the international exhibition touring round Europe, before finishing in Argentina and Brazil.”

Chartered Society of Designers president Lin Gibbon says the organisation will continue its ongoing commitment to the industry.

“As an industry we cannot allow the term ‘designer’ to be misused and misinterpreted to the extent that it is in danger of becoming undervalued in the eyes of those outside the profession. We will not permit the status of design and designers to be impugned in this way,” explains Gibbon.

The CSD’s programme includes training courses and a lecture series featuring internationally renowned designers.

British Design and Art Direction has not yet announced its plans for the year, but will be launching a “packed agenda” for 2000 on 31 January, when Larry Barker succeeds Richard Seymour as D&AD president.