about SCDF

South Coast Design Forum

The SCDF is a non-profit organisation run for and by designers and creatives from all disciplines.

What is the SCDF?

Its aims are simple, but potentially far reaching:

• To provide support, awareness and network channels for designers in the south east.
• To provide opportunities to collaborate for commissions.
• To become an authoritative and respected body whose skills are recognised and called upon by local authorities and business.
• To highlight these skills through the running of competitions and exhibitions.
• To provide strong links with education to further raise standards and help create jobs for graduates and students.
• To raise awareness of the value of design to business.
• To find local and regional solutions to improving the built environment.

Forum Directors report to the Board at AGM 28^th July 2011

• Membership, since AGM 9^th August 2010, has remained constant. The attrition rate is still too high at around 20%. The network on our database has increased to 2,000.
• Events of varying nature have continued to be held across the region and the pace of delivery is still increasing. We had a particularly busy time in April and May with our first ever Conference to coincide with the Day's exhibition, our Showcase comprising display, business reception and celebratory event. Whilst well presented the support from members, with a few honourable exceptions, was disappointing. In the same vein interest in the John McFaul poster and the opportunity for members to show their work in the celebratory booklet and photo shoot has been poor.
• Communication is principally through our website, which is under review as some consider it should be refreshed and its functions expanded, together with our eNewsletter which is issued on a regular monthly basis to over 1,900 recipients.
• Branches are established in Chichester, Portsmouth, Brighton, Southampton and Coastal West Sussex. Portsmouth and Southampton are dormant. New branches have been established in Petersfield and Winchester; Coastal West Sussex has been absorbed into Chichester. New branches are to be set up in Kent and Surrey.
• Funding has been received from Chichester District Council, University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, and University for the Creative Arts. Further funding is being sought from Winchester School of Art. Future projects under consideration may attract funding from WSX a continuing part of Business Link.
• Proposals are still being developed to create revenue through our website and eNewsletter. Our current financial position dictates we must to scale down our activities post Conference and Showcase which cost a lot and delivered little.
• Partnerships continue to be developed with local, regional and national bodies in the design, built environment and economic development sectors. Our partnerships with education continue to bear fruit.
• The board of directors has remained unchanged. As vacancies occur we need to consider replacements from our new territories.
• We have completed another successful period but there are key areas that need to be developed; expansion of membership numbers; the provision of member benefits, particularly regular events; and greater input is required from members; our financial position is at its lowest point since launch and needs strengthening. We still need to develop revenue streams to replace funding.

Our long term goal

Our over arching goal is to establish the region as a 'design location'. We shall achieve this by delivering our aims as published above.

Our strategy to achieve this is:

• Increase membership through the activities of committee members within the branch network supported by the centre and an expansion into Kent and Surrey.
• Meet the realistic expectations of members by increasing the delivery of member benefits including a programme of activities.
• Increase the level of partnership with other bodies in the design sector.
• Achieve financial independence and sustainability through the generation of revenue to cover core costs.
• Seek funding to support specific projects.
• Refine our marketing strategy to underpin our activities and redevelop our website.
• Engage more strongly with the industrial design sector.
• Address the attrition rate of members by improving recruitment and renewal administration through e.g. the provision of additional payment facilities.
• Seek to develop revenue through maximising the use of our assets e.g. advertising in the eNewsletter.
• To continue to work with freelancers whose skills will complement those already in place and address our strategic aims, whilst this is still delivering benefit.