Three important UK membership organisations involved in the design and technology sectors are joining forces to create a new joint venture - Design Pool.

Recognising the fragmented nature of the design community and the diverse interests of their members, the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) believe this venture will greatly assist contact between all segments of their combined membership. These new links will be particularly valuable for young, recently qualified designers and technologists who will be able to share knowledge and the benefits offered by the three organisations.

Members of CSD will be able to dip into Design Pool resources and access materials information from the Design Mine. The information will assist members across the wide spectrum of design activity.

Libby Brodhurst from the IED confirmed the support of IED members for this ‘value adding’ scheme. In the UK, it is often hard for small creative groups to be fully aware of new developments and opportunities. ‘The combined membership of these three organisations, which is in excess of 25,000, will enable a wide range of technology and design topics to be shared,’ she said.

‘Think of it as a new pool of resources,’ commented Bernie Rickinson, Chief Executive of IOM3, ‘with more to come.’ An on-line information resource called ‘Design Mine’ will be available to younger members, as well as joint activities and discounted rates to events run by the founding partners. Other membership organisations could take part to add further value to the venture.

Frank Peters, Chief Executive of the CSD, welcomed the initiative as a positive step forward to broaden the development of resources for design and materials groups. The design and materials communities have gained considerably from the efforts of the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network, a government-funded network in materials which has a sector focused on design. The Design Pool will add to this work.

The branding for Design Pool and Design Mine was created by Peta Miller FCSD, of miller&team design

The Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) is the UK professional body for engineering designers who operate in any aspect of the field, including architecture, product design, and the marine, automotive and aircraft industries. Membership is also open to companies who have a design function and/or employ design engineers. www.ied.org.uk.

The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) is a major UK engineering institution whose activities encompass the whole materials cycle. It exists to promote and develop all aspects of materials science and engineering, mining and associated technologies, minerals, and extraction metallurgy. It is a leading authority in the worldwide materials and mining community. www.iom3.org.

Click here to take a dip in the Design Pool...

Access Design Mine as a CSD member ...