The Design Society, hereinafter called the Society, is an international non-governmental, non-profit making organisation whose members share a common interest in design. It strives to contribute to a broad and established understanding of all aspects of development and design, and to promote the use of results and knowledge for the good of humanity.
The objects of the Society shall be to promote the education and understanding of all aspects of design, be it mechanical, civil, architectural, graphical, etc., by the encouragement and understanding, appreciation and development of design in whatever media expressed and in furtherance to:
The Design Society is built on the foundations laid by the WDK (Workshop Design-Konstruktion) Society. WDK was an informally constituted international society based on a common interest in engineering design. WDK was founded in the early nineteen eighties on the inspiration of Professor Vladimir Hubka (†) and with two other founding members, Professor Mogens Myrup Andreasen and Professor Umberto Pighini (†). Under Professor Hubka's overall guidance and with the support of the founding members and Professor W. Ernst Eder WDK grew to become a truly international society that has made major contributions to Design Science. WDK was responsible for establishing the International Conferences on Engineering Design (ICED series) and has supported an extensive range of publications. It was Professor Umberto Pighini who took the bold initiative to establish the first conference in the ICED series in Rome in 1981 (ICED 81). Subsequently many dedicated individuals have contributed to the development of WDK and the ICED series of conferences. The Design Society is fortunate to be able to build on WDK's foundation of 15 ICED conferences, 26 major publications and more than 60 workshops on a wide range of topics. In 2001, all previous activities and responsibilities of WDK were taken over by the Design Society, including the right to continue the ICED conferences.
The spirit of mutual support, co-operation and objectives created by WDK will be the guiding influence in the Design Society.
The Design Society concentrates on activities that transcend national boundaries, and, where possible, will seek to complement national activities.
The Design Society is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC 031694.
Its registered Address is:
University of Strathclyde
Design, Manufacture & Engineering Management (DMEM)
75 Montrose Street
Glasgow G1 1XJ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)141 548 3134
Fax: +44 (0)141 552 0557
The Society is governed by the Board of Management.
To contact the Board of Management, please send an e-mail to: president at designsociety dot org
The Design Society is a member of the International Association of Societies of Design Research (IASDR).
