Chartered Designer

Chartered status is the ultimate international recognition of professional practice in your design specialism. The Society is able to award Chartered Designer status on behalf of The Register of Chartered Designers to those who demonstrate and maintain the highest standards of professional design practice.

Like all other chartered professionals, a Chartered Designer will be seen by the public, clients and fellow professionals as someone who practices to the highest standards as recognised by the professional body in their particular field.

How do I become a Chartered Designer?

Any designer may apply for the Pathway to Chartered Designer in their design specialism which consists of five stages: registration, portfolio, review, ratification and compliance.

The criteria for both the Pathway and annual compliance are based on the Chartered Society of Designers CPSK™ framework for professional design with the addition of ‘Requirements’ that are considered essential for chartership.

The Pathway to Chartered Designer requires applicants to provide details of the way they practice, submit case studies with explanations, conduct a self-analysis of their competence, provide references, set out their CPD activity and future development, undertake an Intellectual Property module and finally commit to a series of undertakings.

If you wish to find out more about the Pathway to Chartered Designer including associated fees and various exemptions, please visit the ‘Chartership’ pages on this website or download the guidelines below.

Once you’re a Chartered Designer you will:

• Be able to use the authorised and registered title ‘Chartered Designer’™ to signify that you have achieved and maintain the highest level of competence in professional design practice.
• Be entered onto The Register of Chartered Designers which is an international register unique to the design profession.
• Receive a personal framed certificate bearing the seal of The Register of Chartered Designers and signed on behalf of The Register and the President of your professional body.
• Subject to the tax regime applicable and individual circumstances, Chartered Designers may apply to offset their professional fees against tax.
• Receive access to a unique online resource allowing them to record, plan and submit your Annual Compliance Statement to maintain your status with the minimum effort.
• Your own personal Chartered Designer online portfolio which you can populate with contact details, links to your website and social media, professional practice details, CPD record and case studies together with images of your work.
• Your portfolio can be displayed on the CSD website ‘Find-a-Designer’ directory for clients and employers and identifying you as a Chartered Designer.
• Receive Full membership (MCSD) of The Chartered Society of Designers entitling you to a comprehensive range of benefits.

And so much more. Find out more by reading Pathway to Chartered Designer Guidance

If you’re interested in the Pathway, be sure to read this blog from a Chartered Designer.