Member (MCSD)

Full membership in the Society is available to individuals with over three years of experience in design. Applicants must complete an online application process, where they will need to demonstrate their competencies against CPSK™—the design profession’s framework for professional practice. This process includes submitting a portfolio of case studies along with evidence of their commitment to professional practice. A Membership Panel will review these materials, and applicants may be invited to attend an assessment afterward.

If your membership has lapsed and you wish to find out about re-joining contact the Society.

As a Member of the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD), you will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Professional Recognition: Use the authorised title Member of the Chartered Society of Designers and the post-nominal letters MCSD, showcasing your high level of competence recognised by the design profession’s leading body. This demonstrates your commitment to both professional practice and personal development.
  • Design Specialism Descriptor: Receive a unique descriptor that highlights your specific design specialism.
  • Personal Certificate: Obtain a signed certificate, featuring the prestigious Minerva seal, framed in black aluminium.
  • Minerva Members’ Marque: Use the exclusive Minerva Members’ Marque on your personal promotional material. The Marque is free for members and can also be adopted by companies with multiple CSD members (subject to specific criteria and a license fee).
  • Chartered Designer Pathway: Enjoy exemptions from several elements of the Pathway to becoming a Chartered Designer, alongside a significant discount on the application fee and reduced annual subscription costs for your MCSD membership.
  • Networking Opportunities: Take full advantage of the CSD’s network, including invitations to various events and opportunities to connect with fellow designers via social media and focus groups.
  • Governance and Participation: Vote at the Society’s AGM, get involved in committee work, serve as a membership assessor, and participate in CEP accreditation panels.
  • Online Portfolio: Display your portfolio on the CSD Find-a-Designer directory, making it accessible to potential clients and employers.

And much more! For further details, download the MCSD application guidelines.


Apply now

MCSD
Benefits

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01 Recognition

Use the authorised title ‘Member of the Chartered Society of Designers‘ and the abbreviation MCSD to indicate that you have attained a level of competence recognised by the professional body for design and to demonstrate your commitment to professional practice.

02 Chartership

Exemption from certain elements of the Pathway to Chartered Designer plus a significant discount on the application fee.

03 Certificate

Receive a personal certificate bearing the Minerva seal, signed by the President and Honorary Secretary and set in a black aluminium frame.

04 Members' Marque

Use your unique Minerva Members’ Marque with a personal registration number and protected as a Collective Trademark for use on any promotional material

05 Networking

Take full advantage of the Society’s networks with invitations to a variety of events as well as opportunities to reach out to fellow designers through our social media channels and focus groups.

06 Resources

Gain access to all our digital content including magazines, reports, advice columns, book reviews, portfolio galleries and much more.

07 Specialism

Identify your design specialism with a unique descriptor.

08 Governance

Vote at the Society’s AGM, participate in committee work, become membership assessors and accreditation panel members.

09 Professional Development

Receive discounts on selected workshops and events, as well as portfolio gym sessions and other learning opportunities to help you to develop professionally.

10 Online portfolio

Your our own personal MCSD 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.

11 Find-a-Designer

Your portfolio displayed on ‘Find-a-Designer’ a directory of CSD members which can be searched by clients.

12 Advice

Receive a confidential one-to-one advice service across a range of issues. The Society has developed a network of partnerships and collaborations in order to ensure members receive professional and affordable support in many specialist areas.

13 Professional Protection and Security

Receive preferential rates on Professional Indemnity insurance and other forms of insurance plus discounts on initiatives for Intellectual Property protection.

14 Business Opportunities

Receive notifications of design tenders and benefit from design opportunities through the CSD client referral service.

15 Recruitment

Advertise job vacancies in the CSD classified recruitment section free of charge and receive significant discounts on feature recruitment ads.

16 News

Stay informed of developments within the industry and the profession on a regular basis through TheDesigner and our digital channels and direct email broadcasts.

17 Events

Find out about design exhibitions, conferences, shows, talks, debates, workshops, lectures and receive exclusive invitations and discounted rates.

18 Discounts

Receive exclusive special offers from CSD and our partners on resources such as books, magazines, software and other materials.

19 Influence

Add your voice to the work undertaken by the professional body in influencing government, academia, clients and the design sector.

Fees svg

Application fee £75 (non-refundable)
Associate members £25

Joining fee £50
Associate members FREE

Subscriptions

Annually £240
If also awarded Chartered Designer status
the annual subscription is £305

Apply now