Beyond the Edge of the Desk

The AGD is active internationally

Europe is growing together. Bids for commissions are invited from all over the EU, the issue of copyright for creative work is discussed in Brussels and Alicante, designers compete with colleagues from neighbouring countries on a pan-continental basis. Design politics and lobby work no longer ceases at national borders. For approximately ten years AGD EuroContact has been forging new links with designers’ associations in other countries, bringing the goals and perspectives of the AGD to bear on the discussion at European level.

How can the rights of professional designers be safeguarded across national borders? How can design be better promoted as an innovative and economic factor, and achieve stronger recognition as such?

Up to now European policies with respect to the design perspective have been virtually blind. Therefore in the next few years the AGD will be involved in the development of a unified European definition of the job outline “designer“. In a globalised design world, contact with partner associations in other countries also helps designers focus on issues beyond the edge of their desks. Together it is possible to discuss strategies for career development, compare the situation regarding professional training and reconsider professional practices in the light of alternative methods. Best practice examples help ensure that the wheel does not have to be invented anew in each country. For instance, a large number of other associations are creating their own national documents with advice and recommendations on fees, based on the AGD Collective Agreement on Fees for Design Services.

Last but not least, the AGD agrees reductions for double membership, so that for example a designer who works for clients in Germany and France can gain the support of two powerful professional associations though paying a reduced membership fee, while also securing valuable information about the conditions in each country. AGD members profit from the association‘s international activities in concrete fashion by means of links with other European designers. Personal contact and exchange of views promotes new perspectives and motivation, and working practices can be enriched. The AGD is committed to assisting its members in their search for partners abroad. Co-operation with the Russian design magazine ProstoDesign is a good example of how this international exchange can work in practice: a recent special edition featured the AGD and presented over 40 AGD designers, along with their work.

Contact

You can find addresses and links to partner associations and design organisations at home and abroad in our "Yellow Pages" — the AGD Directory.

 

For further information about the international work of the AGD, please send an email to eurocontact(at)agd.de.