CSD Membership up by 28%
When the new Chartered Society of Designers website was launched in March 2005, Chief Executive Frank Peters commented that the new site would be at the forefront of the CSD recruitment initiative.
Six months later this aim has been more than fulfilled.
Figures out at the end of August show that CSD membership is up by 28%, with 95% of new applicants registering through the website.
This welcome increase has had a direct effect on the number of membership assessment’s CSD arranges.
Previously, CSD would hold 1 half day assessment per month in London and 1-2 regional half day assessments.
The increase in membership applications has meant that CSD now holds at least 2 full day assessments in London and several full day assessments nationwide.
Details of forthcoming assessment days are made available on the CSD website and these are updated regularly.
For the first time in its history, CSD has organised assessments in Durham, Jersey and Swindon.
Not only are assessments taking part all over the country, they are also involving groups of designers, instead of individual applicants.
In fact, the last few months has seen a rise in requests for in-house assessments, something which CSD had been trying to promote for several years.
CSD’s Head of Membership, Angela Beevers, commented that “Not only has the online application facility made it quicker and easier for designers to apply for membership, it has also introduced the Society to more designers outside of the M25.
The growing spread of regional membership assessments shows that the CSD has finally shaken off its London centric image”.
Not surprisingly, the website is encouraging a great deal of ‘Internet savvy’ young designers to apply and this is reflected in the number of applications received from Students and Graduates.
In response to this and in order to provide a more complete membership offering to this ever increasing group of members, CSD recently joined forces with the British Design Innovation (formerly The British Design Initiative) to develop a Dual Graduate Membership offer.
The new CSD website was designed by Green Cathedral plc.
