VIEW FROM
THE CHAIR
I n the early years of this organisation, most of the members had worked
on drawing boards during World War 2. They had contributed to the
design of the war machines, which had helped bring about the victory.
They saw themselves as designers working in an engineering setting,
rather than engineers who did design. This has always allowed the IED to
have interests beyond the strictly functional aspects of design. Thus, the
gradual inclusion of product designers (originally known as ‘industrial
designers’) has been growing for many years.
Following the Finniston Report in 1980, the establishment of the
Engineering Council – with a strong definition of what was and, by
implication, what was not engineering – effectively divided the design
spectrum. This was despite the mandatory requirement for the inclusion of
design studies in all accredited engineering courses. A gap opened in
course provision between engineering and product design. Only a few
courses, notably the post-graduate Imperial/RCA joint
course and an undergraduate engineering course at
South Bank Polytechnic, continued the concept of a
more inclusive approach.
Over the years, the engineering approach to design
in courses has become broader and product design
has been more accepting of the need for technical
understanding for functional products. When the IED
gained a Royal Charter, both engineering design and
technological product design were recognised within
the IED remit. We award professional recognition to
engineering designers on behalf of the Engineering
Council and to product designers in our own right. We
The new trend
of innovation
The definition of design must evolve with the
times, argues Colin Ledsome CEng FIED
are the only body with such a wide-ranging view of the design profession.
Now the evolution is continuing. ‘Design thinking’ has been a topic of
interest in management circles for a while. Here, the tried and tested
design methodologies are being applied to a range of projects with no
physical product in mind. Now ‘innovation’ is being used to cover almost
any activity which produces some form of novelty (see also article, p20).
The IED will have to expand its concept of design without losing the
essence of good, professional-level work, which lies at the heart of what
we stand for.
Get Involved
If you would like to contribute to any discussions, write to:
Colin Ledsome
BEng MEng CEng FIMechE FIED MCMI FBIS MDS, Chair, at:
The Institution of Engineering Designers,
Courtleigh, Westbury Leigh, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3TA.
Or email: chair@ied.org.uk
4 www.ied.org.uk
/www.ied.org.uk
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