Design in Extraordinary times – Interim report #1
We were joined in our webinar by over 40 diverse representatives of the design profession. Young to older, consultancy to in-house, and many flavours of expertise including (ref image above and clockwise from top left: Joe Ferry – Belmond, Kirsty Dias – Priestman Goode, Paul De’ath – UAL-Central St Martins, Amanda Baker - Kingston University, Will Fazackerley – Mettle Studio, Duncan Shotton – Duncan Shotton Studio and ex Kinneir Dufort).
Our focus was developing a professional support network by and for younger designers. We are facing many significant, and often tragic challenges, personally and professionally during the Coronvirus crisis. We mentioned the great work the Design Business Association is doing supporting agencies and the many economic challenges they face. We are concerned for the tens of thousands of new design graduates in June, and the many younger designers in their early careers during this period. The potential of a ‘lost generation’ has been discussed.
Dr Stephen Green, Head of Programme for Innovation Design Engineering at the RCA and Imperial College and Chairing the session, pointed out that designers are intrinsically optimistic, and in a new spirit of collaboration there are opportunities to come together as a profession and provide new and innovative support.
Paul De’ath (UAL-CSM) asked what new industry needs might be met by University – Industry collaboration? We spent some time discussing the many ways in which the profession already engages and the benefits which are derived from this, including with projects, placements and visiting lecture opportunities. Kirsty Dias discussed how Priestman Goode benefits from longer term links with Loughborough and the RCA. These connections create a strong mutually beneficial network.
Duncan Shotton’s (ex Kinneir Dufort) personal anecdote was that friends at University had ready made networks but his ‘Mum and Dad worked at the Council’. It wasn’t until 10 years later when his ‘accidental network of friends from Uni’ had careers that he realised that he had a network after all. But the value of networks could have been introduced whilst at University.
Joe Ferry (Belmond, ex Virgin Atlantic) explored the potential breadth of the profession, explaining that his role is now involved in ‘talent hunting’ and wanting to understand what young designers want to do and what they can achieve rather than getting them to fit ‘a certain mould’.
Will Fazackerley (Mettle Studios) described new ways of collaborating with students through hacks and sprints. Introducing both students and industry clients to new agile ways of working. This was mirrored by Amanda Baker’s (Kingston University) example of introducing design thinking to a Local Authority, who had never previously been involved with these ways of working. Maria Ana Neves (Makesense, Lisbon) described a new emerging landscape for ‘distributed knowledge exchange’.
This could relate the excellent point introduced by Els Souri (Greenwich University, ex BAE Systems), that Universities could do a better job in providing career long support to their alumni. This is an area which BIDA could get involved with, to help bridge the ‘chasm’ between University and career pathways, through mentoring and other support. Neil Bates (Creactive Design) referenced the similar approach taken with Young Rail Professionals.
In summary there are clear themes and opportunities for BIDA and supporters to act on:
Develop better understanding and evidence of the emerging range of career pathways available to younger designers – BIDA can survey this
Explore and develop new forms of collaboration between industry and universities – BIDA can collect and showcase examples of best practice
Create a network or networks to provide career long mentoring and support for designers, especially bridging the chasm between university and fulfilling design careers – BIDA can lobby and co-ordinate ideas in this space
BIDA will continue to develop these ideas and we’ll welcome comments and offers of support. Our immediate next step will be to conduct an initial simple online survey to start to understand the breadth of roles available to younger designers and the issues and challenges they will be facing.
We will hold our next webinar at 12:30 pm on Wednesday 20 May to summarise our initial findings and continue our discussion.
Register your interest with us and we’ll keep in touch.
e: info@britishindustrialdesign.org.uk
For a copy of the webinar presentation click here.