Chartered Society of Designers

British professional organization for designers

The Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) is a professional body for designers. It is the only Royal Chartered body of experienced designers. Its membership is multi disciplinary – representing designers in all design, disciplines including Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, Fashion and Textile Design.

The institute dates back to 1898 and can trace its origins as far back as 1236 to the Guild of Peynters and Stainers. The Society of Industrial Artists was formed in 1930 following an inaugural meeting at the Ye Olde Cock Tavern in London's Fleet Street. The first regional group formed in Stafford, West Midlands, in 1932. In 1951, the Society and its members took a leading role in the redesign of Britain after World War II. In 1963, it changed its name to Society of Industrial Artists and Designers. In 1976, the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers was granted the Royal Charter in recognition of its role in establishing the profession of design. The Duke of Edinburgh became the Society's patron. In 1986, The Society changed its name to Chartered Society of Designers, and set up The Design Business Association. In 1988, it incorporated the British Institute of Interior Design. In 2011, it was granted the power by HM The Queen Elizabeth to set up The Register of Chartered Designers and enabling the award of Chartered Designer. In 2010, the CSD launched the Course Endorsement Programme (CEP), which was first accredited overseas, in Switzerland, in 2015. In 2016, it took over the management of the Prince Philip Designers Prize established in 1959 by its Patron The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Society is governed by Royal charter (granted in 1976). Members are obliged by a Code of Conduct to practice to the highest professional standards. CSD is a registered charity (UK Registered Charity Number 279393). Its Royal Patron was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. CSD is not a trade body/association and functions as a learned society. Membership in the Society is awarded to qualified designers who demonstrate competence against CPSK (TM) (Creativity, Professionalism, Skills and Knowledge). Members are identified using the post nominal letters, MCSD (TM) or FCSD (TM) (indicating Member or Fellow, respectively). Other postnominals awarded by this Society include: HonFCSD, HonMCSD, Assoc. CSD, aCSDf
, CSDm. All postnominals are registered trademarks. The Royal Charter for this Society states: "The Society exists to promote concern for the sound principles of design in all areas in which design considerations apply, to further design practice, and to encourage the study of design techniques for the benefit of the community. To secure and promote a professional body of designers and regulate and control their practice for the benefit of the design industry and the general public." The Chartered Society of Designers maintains the Register of Chartered Designers for the design profession and has Royal power to grant licences to design bodies and to award the title 'Chartered Designer' (a registered trademark). The society's head office is at 1 Cedar Court, Royal Oak Yard, Bermondsey Street, London.

A wide variety of books have been published under the "Chartered Society of Designers".

CSD has an awards programme to ensure that designers are recognised for their work.