A BRAND new branch of the South Coast Design Forum (SCDF) has been launched in Southampton, heralding a new era of collaboration between designers from every field. More than 100 designers and business leaders from across the city boarded the Queen Mary 2 to celebrate the launch of the Southampton branch, which currently has around 40 members.
This group will link together local designers and increase the opportunity for collaboration on projects in every area of design. It will highlight the innovation and creativity of the Southampton region, as well as provide support and network channels for the area, which is fortunate in having a high concentration of talented designers, architects and creatives of all kinds.
It is expected that this will be the last of the string of localised groups under South Coast Design Forum's umbrella, as it now focuses on strengthening its voice regionally. The forum, an independent, not-for-profit company, already has branches in Chichester, Brighton and Portsmouth and one representing members in Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Worthing and Shoreham.
Peter Spence, Forum Director, said: “Now that we have a chain of local branches along the south coast we are keen to raise our profile and membership in order to be taken more seriously. We have had great success in our established branches, particularly Brighton and Portsmouth, and I know it will work for Southampton too. There is strength in numbers and it is important for us to be as big as possible so members' voices are heard by local and regional government and large organisations such as the design and arts councils. There are teams and individuals in Southampton and all over the South Coast who can feel isolated so our aim is to reach out to them and help them explore the possibility of meeting other designers and having their opinions heard.”
Speaking at the launch, Tony Boyle, Chairman of the Southampton branch, added: “We want people to start recognising that the south coast is rich in design talent. Many designers in the south are small practices and don't have a big voice so by coming together it gives them a bigger voice and helps us and them promote the region.” He added that the forum was keen to improve the city by forging strong links with universities and putting forward solutions for the design of the city.
Ed Gould, Creative Director of Southampton marcomms agency, Carswell Gould, and SCDF steering group member, said: “This is a real first for Southampton. Never before have we had an organisation that brings together creative designers across so many industries, working together to establish the city as a hotspot for design. I believe that by working together and getting people on board we can develop the economy of Southampton, designing our way out of the downturn. Designers who work together and collaborate on projects can win bigger contracts so it is essential that we have a forum that brings the industry together.”
David Godber, Deputy Chief Executive of the Design Council, highlighted the strength of design as an industry and revealed that UK companies spend around £50bn on design annually. He told guests at the launch: “There are around 185,000 people employed in the design sector in the UK. You do have value, you are significant players so I certainly welcome the SCDF. Recent research shows 54 per cent of British firms believe design will help them stay competitive during the downturn so they do need you. More than a quarter of firms have seen their design spend grow over the past 12 months so people are getting it and the awareness-raising is working.”
Members of the Southampton branch of the SCDF include; graphic designers, architects, award-winning furniture designers, interior designers, textile designers, interior and landscape designers, packaging designers, product designers and food and event designers.
There are currently around 300 members across all SCDF branches. Plans for the future of the Southampton branch include running competitions and exhibitions, to provide strong links with educational establishments and support the designers of tomorrow and to become an authoritative and respected body, whose skills will be recognised and called upon by local authorities and businesses.
The keynote speaker at Friday's launch was Stephen Payne OBE, designer of the QM2. Other speakers included Tony Lubman of Capita Group plc and Sally Lynskey of Business Southampton, which organised the venue and catering in collaboration with Cunard.
For more information on the South Coast Design Forum visit www.scdf.org.uk, and for photos from the day take a look at the gallery.
Photo L to R- Ed Gould of Carswell Gould, David Godber of the Design Council, Tony Lubman and Paul Devitt of Capita Group, Peter Spence of SCDF, Stephen Payne OBE of Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding Southampton, Pauline Spence of SCDF, Kathryn Havering of Business Link, Gill Gould of Carswell Gould and Sally Lynskey of Business Southampton.
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