Professional certification for designers
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- Hue
Just saw this article from Creative Review: http://creativereview.co.uk/cr-b…
The Chartered Society of Designers has filed an application to the UK Government to approve a system of professional certification for designers.
Any Thoughts? Would certification make a difference to the design industry?
- neue75_bold0
they have this in Canada, it's retarded, it's mostly endorsed by the same shit designers who belong to aiga and the likes....
- Hue0
I really like some of the comments at the bottom of the post:
"An interesting idea, but I feel it was probably not a designer that came up with it. Professional designer is an oxymoron. A designer questions things, the way we leaf our lives, a professional follows prescribed rules and conventions, and maintains the status quo (great rock anthems aside). And I know who I would like to be on my team - designers are more than mere professionals."
- Stugoo0
mmm, i dunno certification would be nice but isnt that really what a school is for? designers need strong work, good portfolio, and a strong understanding of the nature of their job.
- hans_glib0
I used to be a member of the CSD. The trouble with the CSD is that clients have no idea who they are or what they do or what they stand for. To outsiders (and even insiders) they appear to be even more up themselves and elitist than qbn...
- the whole organisation is far too introspective and therefore pretty irrelevanthans_glib
- pillhead0
So what is the Design Degree certification for?
- Ranger0
Would we then qualify for costco cards?
- hans_glib0
@ raf:
I don't think they mean to be elitist, but they're trying to establish an acceptable standard of competence to become a member. The idea is that clients see the MCSD (or CDes, whatever) and know that they'll get a decent standard of service. Which is fair enough.
Given that any arse with a computer and the right software (Microsoft Publisher) can call themselves a designer, how is a client supposed to know if the person in front of them is any good? Membership of the CSD is awarded by a panel of your peers - you have to present your work to the panel in person and talk about all aspects of the business. So it means more than just some subscription - it means that respected professionals in your industry recognise that you have talent and ability and so a client should be able to trust you. If the CSD could sell this concept to the profession then it might work.
The problem is that they can't sell it to the profession (look at the caustic comments here and elsewhere) and they haven't been able to get the wider world to understand what the designation means. Perhaps because the wider world doesn't really understand what design is worth and what it can do to their business.
There's a discussion about just this (and lots of other hand-wringing stuff) on their linkedin page: http://tinyurl.com/ye776zs
- d_rek0
Will I get meager discounts on publications that, even after said discount, I wouldn't but?
- raf0
The market does a good way of setting quality/price hierarchy, there are tons of portfolios out there and many people with design diplomas and degrees.
This is as good an idea as certifying musicians. You would have to pass an exam before a well-paid old prick commission for your band to be able to be played on any BBC station, tv or radio. What would be the result?
As I wrote, it that passes, all government and majority of high-profile corporate jobs will have this as a requirement. Not because it offers quality, but because it offers to cover the ass of the person who takes the decision who to hire.
People who organize this are trying to close that market to people they don't let into the club.Also, when you have people and companies from outside of UK competing for a contract, who obviously are not going to be certified, this will put a lot of uncertified locals in worse position than those uncertified foreign competitors.
- monospaced0
In America, a design degree from an "accredited" University is like professional certification I guess. Portfolio does the rest, no? I don't see the point.
- boobs0
If it allows me to double my rates, I'm all for it. Look what certification does for MDs!
- handle0
I believe it's a step in the right direction, but I can see with all these comments the main reason why our industry has lacked the understanding and respect it deserves. Give me a break people, design is a profession which I feel does need a lot of progress in the realm of respect amongst other professional occupations. By the way most of our work and salary get paid by the "professionals" that we work for, so why not be regarded as professional equals. I am just sick of this "artist", self serving, i'm a loner against the world attitude in our industry.
- if you dont like it... go paint something.handle
- I am most definitely regarded as a professional, amongst professionals, despite my comments here.monospaced
- funny, i'm a professional, but find myself working more and more towards being an artist.jazmine
- d_rek0
@handle,
Granted it has pros and cons... However, I am of the opinion that 'professionalism' has nothing to do with any piece of paper of any sort. Instead it is the way in which you conduct yourself and the integrity of your character. Professionalism, as I perceive it, is attributed to many positive qualities of an individual or organization.
To wit, anybody can get a degree or some certification to deem themselves 'professional' but if they don't have the integrity of character to back that piece of paper up then what good does it do them? What good does it do *US*? Just sayin'...
- fyoucher10
Adobe has certifications. Adobe, you know...the folks that make the majority of the software that you use. Even my grandmother knows what Photoshop is. Know anyone with one? Probably not but if so, can you say that they're 'that' much better or get more work because they have one?
- sure, more work as an instructor in Adobe apps. ;)jazmine
- raf0
This is different as likely will be required at least on government and public jobs.
In EU there are all kinds of ISO certifications for companies. In most cases you have to take an expensive course and get an expensive audit, both by a private company. In short - you have to pay for it.
There are lots of government jobs you only can bid for if you have specified ISO certificates.
- calculator0
Can I get a badge to sew on my jumper?
- harlequino0
That'll be awkward if you go to work in Germany and some client or CD demands to see your "papers."
- digdre0
first world problems