CSD LAUNCHES DESIGN ASSOCIATION, A WORLDWIDE ACCREDITATION SCHEME FOR DESIGN CONSULTANCIES
28.03.2006 News
This is a
major design sector initiative to encourage and assist companies to
engage consultancies that are 'professionally recognised'. The Design
Association was launched in partnership with specialist insurer Hiscox,
at an event held at Hiscox's Art Cafe on Tuesday, 21st March in London.
The Design Association has been developed by CSD, the
professional body for designers, to encourage and promote professional
practice within design businesses. There is currently no accreditation
process available to design consultancies or in-house design teams.
Frank
Peters, Chief Executive of The Chartered Society of Designers and The
Design Association, said: Establishing a recognised professional level
for design businesses will complement the professional recognition
offered by CSD to individual designers. The accreditation criteria are
rigorous and the scheme should change the perception of the sector from
being a cottage industry to a recognised mainstream industry.
The
Design Association will accredit design businesses that successfully
meet key performance indicators, including Professional Indemnity
Insurance, Continual Professional Development Programmes, Intellectual
Property Protection, Standard Practice Documentation and a
demonstration of creative ability. Accredited members will be supported
by a range of benefits and features, including a matching service,
which communicates their accredited status to potential clients.
Gary
Head, Underwriting Director of Hiscox s Professions and Speciality
Commercial Division, said: The Design Association accreditation scheme
will give designers a competitive edge in their market place. It
demonstrates a commitment at the highest level to professional
standards and we are pleased to have played a role in its development,
through the provision of the professional indemnity insurance element
of the accreditation process.
Wally Olins, Chairman,
Saffron Brand Consultants, and one of the world s leading practitioners
of corporate identity and branding, gave the keynote speech at the
launch, during which he said: I remember when people did not know what
designers did or what design was all about. Today, the creative
industries sector accounts for 5% of the British economy and what s
more, the design business is growing faster than the economy as a
whole. This situation brings huge responsibilities as well as
opportunities for design. We have to introduce and sustain rigorous
standards. We ve got to be the best, be seen to be the best and have
standards of accreditation that underline and emphasise that we are the
best. That s why I m very happy to support the Design Association s
initiative.
Full details of the initiative and application process can be found on the Design Association website at www.design-association.org
For further information please contact:
Christina Onesirosan-Martinez, The Design Association
T: 020 7357 8282
Dina Shoukry/Suzanne Hitchcock
Fishburn Hedges (on behalf of Hiscox)
T: 020 7839 4321
About CSD
The
Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) is the professional body for
designers. It is the world's largest chartered body of professional
designers and is unique in representing designers in all disciplines.
CSD is governed by Royal Charter and as such its members are obliged to
practice to the highest professional standards. The Society is also a
registered charity and adheres to best practice as a membership
organisation.
The Society is not a trade body or
association and membership is only awarded to qualified designers who
must also prove their professional capability during an admission
assessment. If a designer has MCSD or FCSD after their name you can be
assured of a professional service.
The Society exists to
promote concern for the sound principles of design in all areas in
which design considerations apply, to further design practice and
encourage the study of design techniques for the benefit of the
community. In so doing, it seeks to secure and promote a professional
body of designers and regulate and control their practice for the
benefit of the industry and the public. www.csd.org.uk
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