CSD Launches Course Recognition

In a major move to bridge the gap between ‘learning’ and ‘earning’, the Chartered Society of Designers has launched its latest initiative, the ‘CSD Course Recognition Programme’. 

Design courses worldwide can now apply to be recognised by CSD, the professional body for designers.

Recognition is achieved by submitting standard documents to CSD for scrutiny by an education and professional panel. CSD will be looking for specific modules to be taught within the course that are compatible with the professional practice requirements for membership of the Society.

These modules include professional practice, cross cultural awareness, values and continuing professional development.

Chief Executive Frank Peters MCSD said, "The remit of the Society for the past 75 years has been professional practice, which now seems to have been added to everyone’s agenda.

Membership of the Society and the requirements of today’s design sector demand a high level of professional practice, and we have developed this programme with education in order to equip those studying design with the mechanics to continually develop their professional skills".

Students graduating successfully from a CSD Recognised Course will gain automatic entry to CSD as a Graduate Member.

The courses will benefit from recognition status in the Society’s new course directory, a visiting speaker programme, access to a register of external examiners and members of validation and review panels. 

Recognised courses will also be eligible for CSD teaching material, discounted entry to the CSD Student Awards, portfolio gyms, CSD hub at end year shows, a virtual end year show space, tutor CPD programmes and they will also be part of a world wide education network.

Frank Peters added that, "the Society has been working for some time to develop an initiative that would re-establish its educational partnership, similar to that of the Licentiate Scheme which ceased in 1976.

The new programme recognises the changes in design education and sets a framework of modules which the Society considers essential in the make up of a professional designer.

Recognised courses and the Society will work together to develop the three key ingredients of a rounded designer: creativity, professional practice and knowledge, all of which figure in differing degrees during the career of a designer".

This initiative marks the end of a prolific year for the Society, which began with the purchase of its own offices and training suite and was followed by the launch of the Design Association Accreditation Programme, the introduction of the DA Diploma in Design Business Management and recently the collaboration agreement with DDF the umbrella body for Chinese Design Associations.

The AGM in December looks set to be a celebration befitting the 75th year of the Society and the 30th year of its Royal Charter, and as Frank Peters points out, "the AGM will also see the announcement of a 10th successive year of achieving a financial surplus".