CSD trust fund offers women career grants

Women in product and industrial design can apply for grants of up to 3000 to further their professional development, thanks to a bequest by the late design journalist and public relations consultant Anice Alexander.

Alexander died in 1991 and left 74 000 to the Chartered Society of Designers to set up a trust fund to encourage women product designers. The CSD is making its first call for grant applications from the bequest, of which more than 5000 is available for this year.

The awards, of between 250 and 3000, are limited to women from the UK, Ireland and New Zealand. Applicants are to write proposals for product ideas, further training or work experience they wish to pursue.

CSD director Brian Lymbery says: “It is intended that an award from the Anice Alexander Trust Fund will not only aid recipients, but will effectively promote women in product design generally.”

Alexander, who grew up in New Zealand, had a varied career, including working for the Design Council Scotland and Edinburgh’s Graphic Partners and lecturing at the London College of Printing.