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CSD MOVES INTO CHINA
 On Tuesday 5 July 2011 the Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dragon Design Foundation (DDF), a not for profit Chinese foundation, based in Beijing with a remit to develop and promote the design sector in China. The seeds for the collaboration were sown some six years ago when CSD Chief Executive, Frank Peters visited the DDF Design Festival in Qingdao and gave a presentation about the work of the Society, its membership and framework for practice and the role design plays in delivering innovation. At the same time the Chinese government sponsored a display of work by 38 CSD members at the festival. Further meetings and visits took place over the following years, both in China and the UK, and a strong bond developed based on a mutual desire to promote best practice in professional design.
The signing ceremony marks the end of the development discussions and the start of the working relationship and there is plenty of work to do. DDF has a strong reputation in China due to its charitable activities; but it is also a viable body that embraces design as part of the business model within the social enterprise sector. Its programmes include the Top Ten China Designers Award and an annual design festival which is staged in different provinces. This year the festival was staged in Dalian and occupied one complete hall of the city’s conference centre with some 30 or more stands and a continuous fashion show. CSD members work was displayed at the festival on the international stand.
 To date the DDF membership consists of designers who have achieved considerable acclaim and success in their field and who in return support the foundation with sponsorship whilst encouraging new design talent in all design disciplines. It is not surprising that two organisations with such similar goals have found it in their mutual interest to collaborate in sowing the seeds for the development of a professional design sector in China.
Harmonising designers is not is not so hard after all, designers speak the same universal design language but creating a common thread amongst the many different stakeholders in design, designers, clients, design organisations and design education create more complex issues. However, the CSD Genetic Matrix provides a basis upon which discussions can be held covering all matters of professional practice and accreditation.
DDF have adopted the CSD Genetic Matrix as the framework for their development of the design sector in China. At the same time DDF have developed their membership structure to mirror that of CSD which will facilitate a common application and assessment process. The Genetic Matrix will also form the basis for the development of future collaborations of other CSD programmes.
In adopting and emulating the CSD membership structure and framework, DDF will be able to offer Chinese designers the opportunity to achieve CSD membership but with a localised delivery mechanism. DDF will be able to recommend CSD e-Student Membership and Associate Membership based on the competence levels set out in the CSD Genetic Matrix. The award of Membership and Fellowship will require references from DDF together with an assessment process in keeping with that of CSD.
The UK is internationally recognised as a centre of creative and design excellence with China excelling as the world’s powerhouse for manufacturing and an economic power second only to the US. Whilst the economic cycles of the UK and the West: agrarian, to industrial, to service based and now to a knowledge based economy, have followed a fairly straight line development over some 300 years; China’s situation is far more complex, not only is the cycle running at a rapid speed but it is multi-layered. China has all of these economies happening at once and as such design has to service each layer.
A strong, professional design sector in China is essential for ensuring that all of these layers are well served and integrated. In answering these needs design has the ability to create sustainable models of business which in turn create prosperity whilst addressing environmental and social concerns. It is these very issues that CSD and DDF will seek to address within this collaboration.
Western demands have created much of the pollution attributed to China, the consequences we now suffer, if unchecked will destroy our planet and can only be addressed by the collaboration of like-minded individuals, organisations and countries.
The beginning of this month saw Premier Wen Jaibao meeting Prime Minister David Cameron when numerous initiatives were discussed, contracts agreed and Memoranda of Understanding signed and all shared common themes of environmental concern, education and sustainable growth. The collaboration between DDF and CSD to set up a professional body structure in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao is a perfect fit for our time.
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JOHN SERMON FCSD REFLECTS ON THE DEMISE OF HABITAT
 It is with some sadness that I read of the demise of Habitat as it has always been my opinion that the organisation was more influential in bringing good design to the majority of the buying public than the Design Council or any similar body. I can remember the early days, about 1961, when Tom Lupton & John Morton, both members of the Society’s precursor –the SIA, who were running a very successful architectural design practice in Wallingford, Berkshire, setting up a workshop in the town to make and sell KD (knock down) furniture, using good design and designers . The images shown here are from the Lupton Morton Campus range – Spring/Summer collection 1968.
LM furniture had immediate appeal to the younger generation living in the Pop Art period of the early ‘Sixties’. It was colourful, simple in design and not too expensive. The aim was to provide a full range of modern furniture fitting all the rooms of the house together with fabrics, light fittings and other accessories Following a large fire in the original factory they moved to a purpose built one, on an adjacent new development, which provided a large showroom that became a Mecca for those wishing to buy something different. The building itself was quite remarkable, bright green and very new Many of those original designers went on to become well known names in the profession, and if still alive, must appreciate the value of this early enterprise, I still have a settee that I bought back then, though slightly dated, is still in use in my granddaughter’s bedroom.
The company was taken over by Terence Conran and renamed “Habitat’, maintaining the image and ethos of LM furniture and continuing to use reputable designers, right at the centre of the time, when to coin Harold Macmillan’s expression, “you’ve never had it so good”. The rest is history …. Let us not forget that Habitat played an important role in bringing better design to the masses so I remain optimistic that maybe somewhere the Phoenix will rise again.
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BOOK REVIEW |
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NINETEENTH CENTURY ART – A CRITICAL HISTORY
By Stephen F Eisenman with Thomas Crow
 In the arenas of art and representation, the nineteenth century was a time of questioning, experimentation, discovery and modernisation; artists and designers challenged, as never before, prevailing definitions of art and the social order.
This fourth edition includes five revised chapters, comprising: ‘Old World, New World: The Encounter of Cultures on the American Frontier’, ‘Black and White in America’, ‘Architecture and Design in the Age of Industry’ and ‘Manet and the Impressionists’, together with a substantially expanded chapter on ‘Photography, Modernity, and Art’.
It contains some 510 illustrations of which 245 are in colour, including over a dozen brand-new images, this rich and diverse volume will be of interest to students and practitioners as well as anyone fascinated by this dynamic period when artists and designers challenged, as never before, prevailing definitions of art and the social order.
Nineteenth Century Art – A Critical History by Stephen F Eisenman with Thomas Crow is published by Thames & Hudson (RRP £32.00) CSD members can buy the book for £27.00 including UK mainland delivery (overseas costs available on request) using the promotional code in the members’ area of the CSD website. |
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NOTE THIS |
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V&A ILLUSTRATION AWARDS DISPLAY 2011
 The V&A Illustration Awards celebrate the best illustration published over the last year. Original artwork from the best illustrated book, book cover, magazine and student illustrator of the year will be on display, together with a selection of all competition entries. Supported by the Enid Linder Foundation, runs until 17th December 2011 and admission is free. Read more http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/c/current-exhibitions
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RENÉ MAGRITTE: THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE
 René Magritte (1898–1967) is one of the most revered and popular artists of the 20th century. This summer, Tate Liverpool presents René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle, the biggest exhibition of the Belgian surrealist’s work in England for twenty years. Tate Liverpool’s exhibition will reveal the inspiration behind the artist’s celebrated style, focusing on the less explored aspects of Magritte’s life and artistic practice. Paintings will feature alongside drawings, collages, examples of Magritte’s early commercial work and rarely seen photographs and films. The exhibition will include iconic pieces by the artist as well as some more surprising works, offering visitors a fresh insight into the intriguing world of Magritte. Not to be missed.
The designer is currently negotiating discounted tickets for members which will be published in the members area of the CSD website. Running at Tate Liverpool from 24 June to 16 October 2011. Read more http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool
Photograpy: © Charly Herscovici, c/o ADAGP, Paris 2011 |
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MEMBER'S PROFILE
CHINSKY CHEUNGMCSD
Hong Kong based, Chinsky is a concept driven designer, known for her sophisticated print engineering and structural bodywear design. After obtaining a degree in Fashion and Textiles from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, she joined the Design Innovation Team at Ace Style Intimate Apparel, and designed for Victoria's Secret, Marks & Spencer and Calvin Klein. This was followed by a move to England in 2007 where she completed her MA in Fashion Bodywear at DeMontfort University.
Following collaborative projects with clothing design technology leaders: Bemis Associates and Framis Italia SPA, her thesis collection won the Roadley Award and Ace Style Funding Award. Upon graduation, Chinsky was offered an internship at Alexander McQueen where she developed innovative techniques for print patterns. She established her design and consultancy service in 2009 and has provided design services to amongst others: Agent Provocateur, Alexander McQueen, Pringle of Scotland, Mother of Pearl, Temperley London and Topshop.
Shown here are some samples of her two latest collections: Chronos - A tribute collection to the classic details in suiting and vintage shapewear which led to the timeless elements in modern bodywear. The project was awarded the apparel Innovation with Ace Style Funding and Roadley Awards and Unique, a collection done for Topshop 2011 Spring and Summer.
Chinsky is devoted to explore the boundaries of design and technology. Driven by a philosophy to achieve the best for all individuals by breaking down the walls of the impossible, she welcomes partnerships and collaborations in, and across, various media.
"Through the platform of the Chartered Society of Designers, she hopes to spread her optimistic ambition and share her design journey with both young and experienced designers. She is willing to practice with any parties with parallel ambitions and push those who are willing to adopt this vision in their field both in Hong Kong and through Asia. "
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