The Design society is a new body that builds on prior successful work of the international society of design science WDK, which was founded in the early nineteen-eighties as an informally constituted international society based on a common interest in engineering design. Since then a dramatic change in industrial and educational needs has taken place due to the dominance of mechatronic products, the advancement of computers and software - tools, and the need for life-cycle-design and human insight in design.
Scientists and practitioners have to cooperate closely for mutual benefit, and the engineering design research community has to improve its communication and cooperation. The challenge of future work will be a strong and visible evolution of design science overcoming the unbalanced variety of design procedures, methods and techniques, and the lack of related theories. Closing the gap between research activities and application in practice, and ensuring a remarkable and sustainable contribution to design science requires the re-launch of a strong international, non-profit society for product development and engineering design.
In March 2000 an international group of scientists and practitioners working in the field of product development and design therefore founded the Design Society. It was intended to be an international society as a non-governmental, non-profit organisation. The Design Society is broadly based, flexible, professional and agenda-driven. It encompasses all branches and disciplines of design and is decentralized in respect to local and cultural aspects. The Design Society concentrates on activities that transcend national boundaries, and, where possible, will seek to complement national activities. The initiatives, themes, issues and questions addressed by the Design Society are discussed and disseminated through its conferences and workshops, along with their associated publications.
All previous activities and responsibilities of WDK are 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 society is registered as "the Design Society" at Glasgow, United Kingdom.
For further information please address: enquiries at designsociety dot org
