The Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS) is partnering globally recognised certification body TÜV SÜD to introduce Singapore’s first certification for the design industry. This move aims to raise local design standards as well as enhance professionalism.

Dubbed the Singapore Design Class – or SDC for short – the certification will be the first standard in Singapore focusing on excellence in product & service design processes and capabilities.

The certification is part of DBCS’ array of initiatives to raise professionalism and uplift the local design industry. Recent initiatives have included the Green Business Design mark in October under the Singapore Good Design Mark (SG Mark), which encourages and champions holistic design practices benchmarked for global competitiveness.

Announcing the certification, President of DBCS Mr Tai Lee Siang, said, “This is the very first design certification program in Singapore that certifies the competency of design firms holistically. It covers six core areas – creative process and innovation, continuous improvement, project management, client relations, business management and ethics.

“This SDC certification assures consumers and other industry professionals that the company has met the critical requirements of Certified Design Professionals and is committed to continued learning. This certification also bestows international recognition and signifies the pinnacle of design competence, and a symbol of world-class quality in design practices.

“The SDC standard aims to reinforce Singapore’s status as a premium design hub in Asia as well as to develop and promote professional design talent here. With greater professionalisation, we can groom young talents to take up design as a professional career choice and be recognized for their skills and contributions to our economy and social development.”