Chartered Society of Designers
Encyclopedia
The Chartered Society of Designers (CSD), headquartered in London
, England
, is the professional body for designers. It is the world's only Royal charter
ed body of professional designers. It is unique in that it is multi-disciplinary - representing designers in all design
disciplines.
Founded in 1930 as Society of Industrial Artists, the Society is governed by Royal Charter
(granted in 1976), and as such its members are obliged to practice to the highest professional standards. It is also a registered charity (UK Registered Charity Number 279393) and adheres to best practice as a membership organisation. Its Royal Patron
is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
The CSD is not a trade body or association, functioning as a learned society
. Membership to the Society is only awarded to qualified designers who must also prove their professional capability during an admission assessment. Members can use the post-nominal letters
, MCSD or FCSD (indicating Member or Fellow, respectively), after their names. Both MCSD and FCSD are registered trademarks of the Society.
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. It also seeks to secure and promote a professional body of designers and regulate and control their practice for the benefit of the design industry and the general public.
On joining, members are allocated to a Regional Group. These are East England, East Midlands
, London
, North East
, North West
, Northern Ireland
, Scotland
, South England, South West
, Wales
, West Midlands
, Yorkshire & Humberside
, and Hong Kong
. The Society's head office is at 1 Cedar Court, Royal Oak Yard, Bermondsey Street in London
.
Launched by the CSD in 2006, The Design Association (DA) accredits design businesses and in-house design teams based on a set of design and business criteria that have been researched and identified as markers of best practice and key factors in commissioning design services. Accreditation is underpinned by membership which can only be maintained by undertaking a yearly accreditation review.
since 1930. Some of the greatest names in design during this period can be found as members of the Society and work produced by members has helped shape society and industry.
Every member of the Society is allocated a Design Discipline Group, according to the discipline in which they were assessed. These groups work with the Council to formulate policy and professional practice information specific to each design discipline. Every discipline has a committee that oversee matters relating to its specific design activity.
The Minerva Medal is the highest award the Society can give to its members, usually for an overall lifetime achievement in design. Many whom have received it are recognisable names, each having helped to raise the professionalism of design. The Medal is cast from sterling silver, bearing the profile of Minerva
, Roman
Goddess
of Wisdom
, Knowledge
and Education
, and the CSD logo.
Past winners include:
The CSD Life Fund was established through the generosity of a group of CSD Fellows in 2000. Since then the fund has grown substantially through donations from other Society members. The aim of the fund is to make awards to members who have suffered severe hardship or trauma in order that they may be able to continue with design study or practice.
The Prince Philip Designers Prize
was instigated by CSD's Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1959 and is awarded annually by the United Kingdom Design Council
. The award is made to a British designer or design-team leader whose exemplary work has had an effect on the perception of design by the public, and on the status of designers in society. A representative from the CSD, along with those from other design organisations, sits on the panel of judges who meet at Buckingham Palace
to determine the winner from an ever increasing shortlist of inspiring designers in all fields of activity. The nominations are submitted from various professional bodies. The winner of the Prince Philip Designers Prize in 2005 was the influential graphic designer
Derek Birdsall
. Design engineer Alex Moulton
and architect Edward Cullinan
were both awarded special commendations.
CSD offers other awards in each of its major design disciplines (Fashion, product and textile) and these range from its own Student Medal and awards to those offered in partnership with or sponsored by an organisation or company.
(TDC).
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, is the professional body for designers. It is the world's only Royal charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
ed body of professional designers. It is unique in that it is multi-disciplinary - representing designers in all design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
disciplines.
Founded in 1930 as Society of Industrial Artists, the Society is governed by Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
(granted in 1976), and as such its members are obliged to practice to the highest professional standards. It is also a registered charity (UK Registered Charity Number 279393) and adheres to best practice as a membership organisation. Its Royal Patron
Royal patronage
Royal patronage may refer to*Royal patronage in arts, commerce, etc.*Patronato real*Padroado...
is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
The CSD is not a trade body or association, functioning as a learned society
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
. Membership to the Society is only awarded to qualified designers who must also prove their professional capability during an admission assessment. Members can use the post-nominal letters
Post-nominal letters
Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles or designatory letters, are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that the individual holds a position, educational degree, accreditation, office, or honour. An individual may use several different sets of...
, MCSD or FCSD (indicating Member or Fellow, respectively), after their names. Both MCSD and FCSD are registered trademarks of the Society.
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. It also seeks to secure and promote a professional body of designers and regulate and control their practice for the benefit of the design industry and the general public.
On joining, members are allocated to a Regional Group. These are East England, East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
, London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
, North East
North East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
, North West
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, South England, South West
South West England
South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, West Midlands
West Midlands (region)
The West Midlands is an official region of England, covering the western half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It contains the second most populous British city, Birmingham, and the larger West Midlands conurbation, which includes the city of Wolverhampton and large towns of Dudley,...
, Yorkshire & Humberside
Yorkshire and the Humber
Yorkshire and the Humber is one of the nine regions of England and formally one of the government office regions. It covers most of the historic county of Yorkshire, along with the part of northern Lincolnshire that was, from 1974 to 1996, within the former shire county of Humberside. The...
, and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The Society's head office is at 1 Cedar Court, Royal Oak Yard, Bermondsey Street in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The Design Association
The Chartered Society of Designers also operates The Design Association.Launched by the CSD in 2006, The Design Association (DA) accredits design businesses and in-house design teams based on a set of design and business criteria that have been researched and identified as markers of best practice and key factors in commissioning design services. Accreditation is underpinned by membership which can only be maintained by undertaking a yearly accreditation review.
History
The history of the Society reflects the changes and developments in the design profession in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
since 1930. Some of the greatest names in design during this period can be found as members of the Society and work produced by members has helped shape society and industry.
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 1930 | Society of Industrial Artists formed following inaugural meeting at the Ye Olde Cock Tavern Ye Olde Cock Tavern Ye Olde Cock Tavern is a public house on London's Fleet Street and is part of the Taylor Walker Pubs group.Originally built before the 17th century, it was rebuilt, including the interior , on the other side of the road in the 1880s when a branch of the Bank of England was built where it... in London's Fleet Street Fleet Street Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s... . |
| 1932 | First Regional Group formed in Stafford Stafford Stafford is the county town of Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It lies approximately north of Wolverhampton and south of Stoke-on-Trent, adjacent to the M6 motorway Junction 13 to Junction 14... , West Midlands. |
| 1951 | The Society and its members take a leading role in the redesign of Britain after World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... . |
| 1963 | The Society changes its name to the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers. |
| 1976 | Royal Charter granted in recognition of its work in establishing the profession of design. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh becomes Patron and remains so to this day. |
| 1986 | Changes its name again to the Chartered Society of Designers. |
| 2001 | The Design Association established as a trading and corporate entity of CSD. |
| 2006 | DA Accreditation programme offered. |
| 2010 | CSD Course Accreditation Programme launched |
| 2010 | Design Pool formed Collaboration between IOM3 and IED |
Design Disciplines
Exhibition Design
- Exhibition and display including permanent and temporary display
- Museum design
Fashion Design
- Fashion and clothing including garments, bags, footwear, millinery and other accessories
Graphic Design
- Type design, typography, lettering and calligraphy for reproduction
- Illustration
- Design for advertising
- Design for print including annual reports, brochures, books and magazines
- Design for two and three dimensional packaging
- Corporate identity
- Applied graphics including signing systems
- Vehicle livery and graphics on product design
- Architectural graphics
- Design for film, television or video reproduction including multi-sensual, time-based or still imagery
- Photography
Interactive Media Design
- Web sites, intranets and extranets
- Multimedia CD-ROMs, DVDs and kiosks
- Computer games
- Interactive elements for video DVDs
- Interactive elements for use within web sites
- Interactive content for mobile devices
Interior Design
- Office, shop, hotel, factory, public, commercial, and industrial interiors
- Domestic interiors
- Television, film and theatre design including sets, lighting and costumes
Product Design
- Engineering based, three dimensional products including capital goods, and consumer goods, environmental and interactive information technology design
- Transportation/automotive design
- Furniture including contract, domestic, free-standing ranges and individual pieces
- Craft related products including ceramics, glass, jewellery, silver, cutlery, toys, souvenirs, travel and leather goods and decorative building elements
Textile Design
- Surface pattern including printed textiles, printed carpets, patterned papers, patterns for ceramics and tiles
- Woven and knitted textiles including rugs and carpets, non-printed wall coverings, laminates
Published works
A a wide variety of books have been published under the "Chartered Society of Designers" name, see here.Awards
CSD has an awards programme to ensure that designers are recognised for their work. Awards endorsed or organised by CSD carries enormous merit and value as it is awarded by the world's largest and only Chartered body of professional designers.Member recognition
The Minerva Service Award is to be awarded to members of the Society who have made an outstanding contribution to the life and success of the Society. Consideration is given to those who have played a leading role in the work of CSD and assisted it to achieve its objects under the Royal Charter. This award has only been recently introduced and as yet, there have been no recipients.The Minerva Medal is the highest award the Society can give to its members, usually for an overall lifetime achievement in design. Many whom have received it are recognisable names, each having helped to raise the professionalism of design. The Medal is cast from sterling silver, bearing the profile of Minerva
Minerva
Minerva was the Roman goddess whom Romans from the 2nd century BC onwards equated with the Greek goddess Athena. She was the virgin goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, magic...
, Roman
Roman mythology
Roman mythology is the body of traditional stories pertaining to ancient Rome's legendary origins and religious system, as represented in the literature and visual arts of the Romans...
Goddess
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
of Wisdom
Wisdom
Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions so that universal principles, reason and...
, Knowledge
Knowledge
Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
and Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, and the CSD logo.
Past winners include:
- Milner Gray FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Jan van Krimpen (Netherlands)
- Robin DayRobin Day (designer)Robin Day, OBE, FCSD was a British chartered industrial and furniture designer, best-known for the injection moulded polypropylene stacking chair, more than 20 million of which have been manufactured...
FCSD (United Kingdom) - Tapio WirkkalaTapio WirkkalaFile:Wirkkala.jpgTapio Wirkkala was a Finnish designer and sculptor, a major figure of post-war design. His work ranges from plastic ketchup bottles and metalware to glass, ceramics and plywood in a range of styles. He designed the Finnish markka banknotes introduced in 1955...
(Finland) - Sir Gordon Russell FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Abram Games FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Pier Luigi NerviPier Luigi NerviPier Luigi Nervi was an Italian engineer. He studied at the University of Bologna and qualified in 1913. Dr. Nervi taught as a professor of engineering at Rome University from 1946-61...
(Italy) - Ernest Race FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Edward BawdenEdward BawdenEdward Bawden, CBE, RA was a British painter, illustrator and graphic artist. He was also famous for his prints, book covers, posters, and garden metalwork furniture...
(United Kingdom) - Sir Misha BlackMisha BlackSir Misha Black was an Azerbaijan-born British architect and designer. In 1933 he founded with associates in London the organisation which became the Artists’ International Association. From 1959 to 1975 he was a professor of industrial design at the Royal College of Art in London, England...
FCSD (United Kingdom) - Mary QuantMary QuantMary Quant OBE FCSD is a British] fashion designer and British fashion icon, who was instrumental in the mod fashion movement. She was one of the designers who took credit for inventing the miniskirt and hot pants. Born in Blackheath, London, to Welsh parents, Quant brought fun and fantasy to...
FCSD (United Kingdom) - Charles Eames (USA)
- Tomás Maldonado (Argentina)
- WM de Majo FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Eliot Noyes (USA)
- Robert Y Goodden (United Kingdom)
- Bill BrandtBill BrandtBill Brandt was an influential British photographer and photojournalist known for his high-contrast images of British society and his distorted nudes and landscapes.-Career and life:...
(United Kingdom) - FHK Henrion FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Alex MoultonAlex MoultonDr. Alexander Eric Moulton CBE is an English engineer and inventor, specialising in suspension design.Moulton is the great-grandson of the rubber pioneer Stephen Moulton, the founder of the family business George Spencer Moulton & Co...
(United Kingdom) - Dieter RamsDieter RamsDieter Rams is a German industrial designer closely associated with the consumer products company Braun and the Functionalist school of industrial design.- Life and career :...
(Germany) - Philip JohnsonPhilip JohnsonPhilip Cortelyou Johnson was an influential American architect.In 1930, he founded the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and later , as a trustee, he was awarded an American Institute of Architects Gold Medal and the first Pritzker Architecture...
(USA) - Giorgetto GiugiaroGiorgetto GiugiaroGiorgetto Giugiaro is an Italian automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today...
(Italy) - Sir Terence ConranTerence ConranSir Terence Orby Conran, FCSD, is an English designer, restaurateur, retailer and writer.-Early life and education:Terence Conran was born in Kingston upon Thames, the son of Christina Mabel and South African-born Gerard Rupert Conran, a businessman who owned a rubber importation company in East...
FCSD (United Kingdom) - Antti Nurmesniemi (Finland)
- Alan Fletcher FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Douglas Scott FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Milton GlaserMilton GlaserMilton Glaser is a graphic designer, best known for the I Love New York logo, his "Bob Dylan" poster, the "DC bullet" logo used by DC Comics from 1977 to 2005, and the "Brooklyn Brewery" logo. He also founded New York Magazine with Clay Felker in 1968.-Biography:Glaser was born into a Hungarian...
(USA) - Vico Magistretti (Italy)
- Jean MuirJean MuirJean Elizabeth Muir, CBE, FCSD was an English fashion designer .-History and early career:...
FCSD (United Kingdom) - David Mellor FCSD (United Kingdom)
- James Gardner FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Tom Eckersley (United Kingdom)
- Mario BelliniMario BelliniMario Bellini is a world renowned Italian architect and designer.He graduated from the Milan Polytechnic - Faculty of Architecture in 1959 and began working as an architect himself in the early 1960s...
(Italy) - Tony Abbott (United Kingdom)
- Achille Castiglioni (Italy)
- Jeff Banks FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Saul BassSaul BassSaul Bass was a Jewish-American graphic designer and filmmaker, best known for his design of motion picture title sequences....
(USA) - Kenneth GrangeKenneth GrangeKenneth Grange, CBE, MCSD, RDI, is a British industrial designer.Grange’s career began as a drafting assistant with the architect Jack Howe in the 1950s...
FCSD (United Kingdom) - Lord Norman FosterNorman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames BankNorman Robert Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank, OM is a British architect whose company maintains an international design practice, Foster + Partners....
FCSD (United Kingdom) - Robin & Lucienne Day FCSD (United Kingdom)
- Alberto Alessi 2000 (Italy)
- HRH The Duke of Edinburgh 2003 (United Kingdom)
- Lord Rogers of Riverside 2007 (United Kingdom)
The CSD Life Fund was established through the generosity of a group of CSD Fellows in 2000. Since then the fund has grown substantially through donations from other Society members. The aim of the fund is to make awards to members who have suffered severe hardship or trauma in order that they may be able to continue with design study or practice.
The Prince Philip Designers Prize
Prince Philip Designers Prize
The Prince Philip Designers Prize is an annual design recognition given by the Design Council and awarded by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who also chairs the judging panel. It is the longest running design award in the United Kingdom, having been started in 1959 as the Prize for Elegant Design...
was instigated by CSD's Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1959 and is awarded annually by the United Kingdom Design Council
Design Council
The Design Council is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body incorporated by Royal Charter and registered as a charity.Registered charity number 272099.- In the beginning :The Design Council started in 1944 as the Council of Industrial Design...
. The award is made to a British designer or design-team leader whose exemplary work has had an effect on the perception of design by the public, and on the status of designers in society. A representative from the CSD, along with those from other design organisations, sits on the panel of judges who meet at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
to determine the winner from an ever increasing shortlist of inspiring designers in all fields of activity. The nominations are submitted from various professional bodies. The winner of the Prince Philip Designers Prize in 2005 was the influential graphic designer
Graphic designer
A graphic designer is a professional within the graphic design and graphic arts industry who assembles together images, typography or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for published, printed or electronic media, such as brochures and...
Derek Birdsall
Derek Birdsall
-Early life:Birdsall was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1934 and attended The King's School, Pontefract, Wakefield College of Art and Central School of Arts and Crafts in London...
. Design engineer Alex Moulton
Alex Moulton
Dr. Alexander Eric Moulton CBE is an English engineer and inventor, specialising in suspension design.Moulton is the great-grandson of the rubber pioneer Stephen Moulton, the founder of the family business George Spencer Moulton & Co...
and architect Edward Cullinan
Edward Cullinan
Edward Cullinan, CBE, is a British architect.Cullinan was educated at Cambridge University, the Architectural Association, and the University of California, Berkeley before working for Denys Lasdun where he designed the student residences for the University of East Anglia.Cullinan's practice,...
were both awarded special commendations.
CSD offers other awards in each of its major design disciplines (Fashion, product and textile) and these range from its own Student Medal and awards to those offered in partnership with or sponsored by an organisation or company.
Affiliate recognition
In Hong Kong, the CSD Hong Kong Grand Award is the CSD's highest award for the field of design. Initiated by the CSD's Hong Kong Chapter, it is presented to a person, body or company that has made the most outstanding contribution to the design industry. In 2005, the award was presented to the Hong Kong Trade Development CouncilHong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based manufacturers, traders and service providers. Established in 1966, it has more than 40 offices around the world, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, promoting Hong Kong as a platform for doing business...
(TDC).
See also
- Design CouncilDesign CouncilThe Design Council is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body incorporated by Royal Charter and registered as a charity.Registered charity number 272099.- In the beginning :The Design Council started in 1944 as the Council of Industrial Design...
- British professional qualificationsBritish professional qualificationsProfessional qualifications in the United Kingdom are generally awarded by professional bodies in line with their charters. These qualifications are subject to the European directives on professional qualifications...
- List of learned societies