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CSD NEWS

Interior design pathway

At its recent AGM, the Society elected and welcomed David Callcott FCSD as its new President. His journey through both his design career and membership of design bodies makes for a compelling read and not only illustrates the development of his career but also that of the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) and the wider profession. Standing before our Royal Charter, he recalls his early career and those who influenced it.

Description: http://www.roberthempsall.co.uk/csd-newsletter-images/david.png“Between 1960 and 1964 I served as an apprentice, gaining my City and Guilds in Advanced Decoration. I then successfully applied to attend Medway College of Art where I studied Interior Design from 1964 to '67. I remember well sitting the intermediary exam of the Incorporated Institute of British Decorators (IIBD) before doing work experience for a year and then returning to sit the final exam, which I am pleased to say I passed in 1968.“

“My tutor on the course was Les Fawcett who was very active in the IIBD as chairman of the Southern District Committee. He was a great influence on me and I had the pleasure of remaining friends with him for many years. In the early 70s I was invited to join the Southern District Committee and became an active member of the region for many years and Les went on to become President of the institute“ says, David Callcott FCSD.

The Incorporated Institute of British Decorators has a long history being formed in 1894 by a contingent of members of the Worshipful Company of Painters and Stainers which received its Inspeximus (the earliest form of Royal Charter) in 1466, although the earliest reference to ‘Peynters’, those who decorated, gilded and coloured objects, dates back to 1283. In 1899 the institute was ‘incorporated’ and this was added to its title.

During the middle decades of the 20th century the terminology ‘interior design’ became more widespread both in practice and design education and fissures began to appear between those practicing ‘interior decoration’ and those who saw ‘interior design’ as a more professional status. A tension that remains to this day!

This divergence coincided with the development of David’s career which was equally shifting emphasis from his early training in ‘interior decoration’ towards his practice as an ‘interior designer’ and in particular retail interior design. The Chartered Society of Designers, or Society of Industrial Artists and Designers as it was then known, had long since referred to its members as practicing interior design as opposed to interior decoration and innovatively had chosen the name ‘Inscape design’ under which to group them.

By 1975 the Incorporated Institute of British Decorators was also ready to make the transition and under the guidance of David’s early tutor Les Fawcett, who by now had become President of the institute (1974–5), the name was changed to become the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID). The transition from interior decoration to interior design was complete, by both David and the two main professional bodies. Just one year later in 1976 and 510 years after the granting of the Inspeximus to the Peynters, the SIAD was awarded its Royal Charter.

It took a further 25 years for the Interior Decorators and Designers Association (IDDA), which was founded in 1966 and included both descriptors, to drop the word ‘decorators and become the British Interior Designers Association (BIDA) in 2001.

Interior design was now well established as a discipline and generating ample rewards and economic growth and the need for interior design education grew. As David recalls, “I was always driven by design education and professional standards and after floating my company on the Unlisted Securities Market in 1985, I was invited by Medway College of Art to become an Independent Governor of the College which developed into the Kent Institute of Art and Design (KIAD). I served as a Governor until the early years of 2000 following which the KIAD merged with the University of Creative Arts of which I have since been awarded an Honorary Fellowship.”

The two bodies, SIAD and BIID, continued their respective work in interior design education and in representing the professional interests of practicing interior designers. The Society’s Royal Charter gave a seal of professional acceptance to design and this led to suggestions that the two bodies should consider a merger and discussions commenced in 1983.

For the next five years the councils’ of both bodies discussed the details and implications of such a merger and in 1988, by which time the SIAD had changed its name to the Chartered Society of Designers (1986), and under the direction of Eddie Emamooden, President of the BIID and Kenneth Grange, President of CSD, members of both bodies voted that the British Institute of Interior Design should become part of the Society whilst maintaining its identity within the Society.

Members and Fellows of the BIID automatically transferred to the same status in CSD. “It was as a result of this merger that I became a Fellow of CSD and I was proud to belong to the Society’s newly named group: CSD Inscape Design – incorporating the British Institute of Interior Design” David recalls.

The merger, which came about in 1988, provided a sound basis for supporting interior design professionals at every stage of their careers and promoting interior design as a profession. As the introduction in Insite, the magazine of the BIID, stated in 1988:

‘The increased interest in, and a rising level of understanding of, the role that design has to play in the generation and regeneration of successful enterprises in this country increases the responsibility of professional bodies to ensure that the interests of designers are presented in a coherent, focussed and relevant manner. The force of this argument will be most powerful if articulated by a unified voice.’ [1]

Description: http://www.roberthempsall.co.uk/csd-newsletter-images/insite.pngIn absorbing the British Institute of Interior Design the Society acquired its goodwill and heritage built up over many decades. This is on display in the photograph of David wearing the CSD President’s medal together with the medal and chain of office of the British Institute of Interior Design which bears the names of all its Presidents since 1899, including that of Les Fawcett his tutor at Medway, and on the last band that of Eddie Emamooden, the last President of BIID in 1988.

An interesting artefact is the BIID gabble sported by David and made to celebrate the coronation in 1953. Both the medal and chain and the gabble show the BIID logo of a peacock with the formation date of 1899 below.

As a Fellow of both BIID and then CSD, the merger would also transpire to influence David's own career and lead to his current appointment as President.

The synergy of the two professional bodies appealed to David’s passions and since becoming a CSD Fellow he has worked hard to ensure that professional standards are met and upheld as a CSD assessor and supporting student activity within the Society. His history as a design professional coupled with his position as founder and Creative Director of CADA Design Group  -a specialist brand and retail interior design consultancy- hold him in good stead as CSD's President.  As someone who has a sound understanding of the importance of interior design within the industry as a whole, David’s origins as firstly a member of IIBD, then of BIID and now CSD, provide significant insights into the design industry’s pathway to designing and establishing a profession and a better future for design and interior design in particular.

Equally as significant is David’s personal commitment to design education, which was and is a strategic remit for the British Institute of Interior Design and the Society. His commitment and attentiveness to design education ensures that CSD’s work within its Course Endorsement Programme, which accredits Design courses at Nottingham Trent, Plymouth and Derby Universities and Chelsea School of Art and Design, and student and tutor support will remain a top priority. Shortly after his election as President in December 2013 David wasted no time in working with students from Plymouth at CSD’s headquarters in London as part of a ‘crit and ideas’ workshop.

David’s Presidency of the Chartered Society of Designers is a testament to a fascinating design career, built from solid foundations and carefully embellished throughout years of dedication. A career that allows for invaluable insights as to the future of design by looking back at the complex evolution of professional bodies and how they have developed to provide the best support for designers.

[1] Introduction, Merger Aims, Insite, British Institute of Interior Design Journal, Issue 23 Autumn, (1987), Nottingham

100 YEARS OF CSD

In heading towards its centenary the Society will be publishing numerous articles exploring the relationships between it and other institutions both nationally and overseas. It is hoped that these will prompt CSD members (and non-members) to provide any information or material they may have that could help in compiling an archive and history for a major publication in 2030.

Leah Armstrong’s work, a collaborative doctorate between the University of Brighton and the Society was the first step in this major project and you can read about some of her findings at http://designatlas.wordpress.com/

If like David, you were a member of the Incorporated Institute of British Decorators or the British Institute of Interior Design and can offer any material or information for our archive, we would like to hear from you. Please email csd@csd.org.uk.

CHARTERED SOCIETY OF DESIGNERS AGM

The Chartered Society of Designers' 38th AGM revealed a great many changes and developments due to take effect over the course of this year. While there was talk of our new communications channels and visual identity, as well as new information on the imminent Register of Chartered Designers, much more was discussed in a series of inspiring speeches by trustees, fellows and a past President.

CSD has a great story to tell, one that spans a great many years. During this time there have been highs and lows but always the Society has done its utmost to help designers, maintain standards in design practice and to offer a helping hand to those that need it most. As a registered charity, CSD knows the value of support.

Description: http://www.roberthempsall.co.uk/csd-newsletter-images/csd-agm.pngImmediate Past President Jake Leith FCSD stepped down to invite the Society's new President, David Callcott FCSD, to receive his appointment of office and say a few words. The Chartered Society of Designers is both proud and privileged to have such a well-suited President to see us through the many changes that 2014 will bring.

The Chartered Society of Designer’s current Council comprises:
President: David Callcott FCSD
Immediate Past President: Jake Leith FCSD
President Elect: Peter Bosson FCSD
Honorary Secretary: Metin Demiray FCSD
Honorary Treasurer: John Sermon FCSD
Vice Presidents: Maggie Law MCSD, Piccia Neri MCSD, Glenn Taylor FCSD
Elected Members: Clarke Fyfe MCSD, Mohammed Irfan MCSD, Christopher Ramsden FCSD

Description: http://www.roberthempsall.co.uk/csd-newsletter-images/agm-handshake.png2013's AGM was the first of CSD's meetings to be live-tweeted, recorded and photographed and we received great feedback from this. Our photos can be seen over on the CSD Pinterest and Facebook pages. Our tweets, which all use the hashtag #CSDAGM can be found on the CSDTwitter feed with full details of the AGM on the CSD blog.

MEMBERS’ PROFILE

JAKE THOMPSON CSD STUDENT MEMBER – GRAPHIC DESIGN

Jake Thompson is a Student Member of CSD and a budding graphic designer. He explains that from a very young age he was interested in design, drawing and creativity. He says, ‘Over the years I discovered a love for designing things digitally, using programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Graphic design was a natural progression for me; and it’s something that continues to excite me every day.’ He discovered his penchant for design during secondary school while working on a Photoshop project for GCSE Media Studies. Designing a magazine using design software sparked his career aspirations. ‘I made it my personal mission to perfect my graphic design skills’, says Jake, ‘I have a sweet spot for beautiful typography, with Jessica Hische and Sean McCabe being two of my favourite type designers.’

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As a young designer at the beginning of his education and career, Jake’s advice to fellow students is to be positive. He suggests taking on projects that you will enjoy completing, ‘if nobody is offering you a design job; create your own projects. A lot of what I know today comes from self-initiated projects.’ On a more career-orientated note, he believes that taking yourself seriously is of the utmost importance. He says, ‘Remember, you are a professional. If you’re doing a paid job; make sure both you and your client sign a contract. Not only is this more professional but it’ll come in handy if the worst were to happen.’

PAUL MABIN MCSD – GRAPHIC DESIGN

Paul Mabin is an award-winning Creative Director who has worked both in the UK and abroad. Helping brands to succeed in the market using intelligent design, bringing brands to life and directing consumer behavior are the pillars that form the basis of his design work and business. He says, ‘From an early age I wanted to be a designer. I thought by using insight, intelligence and creative flair I’d be able to solve most business problems.’ Paul shares this optimistic sensibility with many young design students now leaving universities, which is why his simple advice to graduates is most valuable.

‘Don’t give up,’ he says, ‘It’s tough out there so prepare to work for little money to get your foot on the ladder.’ Paul’s own pragmatism, determination and professional acumen have earned him the Gold Award at the 42nd annual International Creativity Awards and ensure that he is dedicated to his clients at all times.

Description: http://www.roberthempsall.co.uk/csd-newsletter-images/paul-mabin-1.pngPaul Mabin describes himself as a proud CSD member and makes reference to the society on his personal blog. He believes that the Chartered Society of Designers haS helped him with his design career and insights, explaining, ‘the CSD has been of great benefit, offering advice, information, networking opportunities and industry recognition by setting a creative benchmark.’

This designer has worked on a wide variety of projects and collaborated with many clients, such as Ettinger, London, with whom he worked to produce a brand advert highlighting Ettinger’s connection to the Royal Family and dually celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. His solution was to create a recognisable British symbol, recreated simply using Ettinger products. The result was increased brand awareness and exposure, and it was this advert that won HIM gold at the International Creativity Awards.

Paul has also worked on lifestyle-focused brand adverts for the likes of Princess Yachts International. The solution to this challenge was to focus on the concept of people, using the idea of a boat as a motif, he says this was possible by marrying the two images and concepts together:  “by creating evocative headlines such as Travel at the speed of life.” These adverts prompted an increase in brand awareness, successfully and professionally altering the public’s perception of the company.

Description: http://www.roberthempsall.co.uk/csd-newsletter-images/paul-mabin-2.pngDiscover more at Paul Mabin’s website and his personal blog.

Events

CSD EAST MIDLANDS

26th March 2014 – Nottingham Trent University

The CSD East Midlands Focus Group will showcase the breadth of CSD membership from 6pm to 8pm at the faculty of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University.

The Society covers a wide range of design disciplines and is currently experiencing a positive surge in interest from members wanting to network and meet others practicing in various fields of design.  More importantly is the career spectrum of the membership which has been supported by the development of CSD initiatives in education and practice so expect to meet students, tutors, practitioners, business owners and retired members.

Nottingham Trent University will host the first networking meeting of the CSD East Midlands Focus Group in the stunning Atrium of the Art & Design Faculty. NTU is a partner of the CSD Course Endorsement Programme having several of their courses accredited by CSD in 2012 and university staff support this initiative as another way in which their students may engage with the profession.  The Society has a large number of members within the East Midlands triangle:   Nottingham, Derby and Leicester who practice across a wide range of design disciplines from engineering to service design, graphics to textiles.

If you are a CSD East Midlands member and want to attend please contact CSD info@csd.org.uk for a ticket.

THE DESIGNER REVIEWS & OFFERS

BOOKS

Illusion Confusion - The wonderful world of optical illusion
By Paul M Baars

Description: http://www.roberthempsall.co.uk/csd-newsletter-images/illusion-confusion.pngIn the foreword to this book, Joost Elffers notes that ‘optical illusions are best viewed printed on paper and bound in a book’. After browsing this book by Paul M Baars it is difficult to argue against him.

Browsing is what this book demands at the very outset. It is impossible to pick up without being tempted to flick through the pages and marvel at the degree of space that is created. Items thrust out and recede, morph and move, change colour, shimmer, shake, grow, shrink, vibrate, appear and disappear, not within the book itself but in the viewer’s perception, the distance between what the eye sees and the brain interprets.

Some of the illustrations will be familiar, the ‘impossible or devil’s fork’ with its illusory middle prong, Esher’s ‘Waterfall’ (1961) with its perpetual, yet impossible, ascending and descending water-flow or Oscar Reutersvärd’s impossible stairs. However, they still command attention and produce wonderment as you try to grapple with the perspective in an attempt to impose visual reasoning.

Once browsing is over, the serious work of understanding the relevance and significance of these illusionary pieces can begin and it makes fascinating viewing for the designer. The range of examples spans four centuries and attempts to catalogue them in seven sections providing some 300 illustrations in total in various techniques and media from oil painting in the 17th century to current computer generated imagery.

The purpose of the illustrations is often obvious or alluded to in the captions, whether it be experimentation, pure amusement, subversion or useful application as in the case of camouflage. However, if you are seeking an in-depth understanding of the science behind such images and their perception you will need to do some more serious reading elsewhere and perhaps Richard L Gregory’s ‘Eye and Brain: the perception of seeing’, a staple design text, offers a great starting point.

The cover of the book with its floating sphere is captivating and enhanced by the glossy finish but you can’t help thinking that a visual trick has been missed by not exploiting the spine of the book which provides some 20mm of opportunity, although the Thames & Hudson logo does provide a nod in the right direction alluding to the ‘Message d’amour des dauphins’ by Sandro Del-Prete (1987) which is featured on page 154 of this enjoyable book.

Illusion Confusion by Paul M. Baars is published by Thames & Hudson (RRP £18.95). CSD members can buy the book for a special price of £14.95 including UK mainland delivery (overseas costs available on request) using the promotional code in the members’ area of the CSD website.

Offers

22nd and 23rd May 2014
at London’s Guoman Tower Hotel

Description: http://www.roberthempsall.co.uk/csd-newsletter-images/pdi-logo.pngWith three years under its belt as the must-attend event for industrial designers, PD+I returns for 2014 with new branding, a new venue and a brand rich line up of speakers. Chaired once again by Kevin McCullagh, Plan’s founding director and Core 77 columnist, this unique two-day conference will be held on the 22nd and 23rd May 2014 at London’s Guoman Tower Hotel by Tower Bridge.

PD+I 2014 will allow delegates to get under the skin of the hottest new trends, technologies, materials and processes as well as discover new opportunities and how to apply them to future commercial growth. With over 200 delegates expected to attend, the potential for networking and building invaluable contacts within this specialist sector is second to none.

For further information visit www.pdesigni.com

Special offer for CSD members

The Society has once again partnered with Crain Communications for this event.

Members will receive a 25% discount when purchasing tickets for PD+I 2014 using the promotional code which can be found in the members’ area of the CSD website.

 

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The Chartered Society of Designers is a registered charity incorporated under a Royal Charter. Our remit is to promote best professional design practice and encourage the study of design. We support and assist designers at all stages of their career.

The Society is a founding member of the Hong Kong Design Centre and holds Observer status of WIPO - The World Intellectual Property Organisation.

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©Chartered Society of Designers 2014

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