Proscodi FAQs

What is Proscodi?

Proscodi is an international client-focused design organisation established to promote industry-wide ethics and business practices.

What does Proscodi do?

• Through the Proscodi Code and Professional Standards, Proscodi will target members and clients educating both to the value of graphic design and ethical conduct in their professional practices. The aim: To create a smoother working relationship between clients and designers.

How will Proscodi be different from other design organisations?

• Proscodi has a unique approach in that it is client focused, whereas the majority of other design organisations are designer focused.

What is the philosophy of Proscodi?

• Client focused, dialogue driven.

Where is Proscodi located?

• Proscodi will be registered as an Incorporated Association (nonprofit) in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, but will have no physical office in the foreseeable future. The Association may later set up local chapters or open one or more offices, if our activities warrant it.

Is Proscodi membership country specific?

• Proscodi is an international organisation.

What are the goals of Proscodi?

• Develop a Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practices targeted toward clients and designers.
• Make the Code and Standards easily available to the public.
• Create an atmosphere where professional ethics and standards guide the working relationships between clients and designers.
• Educate both clients and designers about the value of adhering to ethical principles.
• Educate clients about the value of graphic design and marketing.
• Educate students and up-and-coming designers on the values of the Proscodi Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practices.
• Develop an easily accessible website that clients can visit for more information about ethical design practices, designers can send clients to learn the same, and members can visit for discussions, promotion and membership information.
• Develop alliances with related graphics and design websites, organisations and business groups.
• Develop branding materials for Proscodi which allow members to announce their affiliation and declare their adherence to the ethical standards promoted by Proscodi.
• Promote Proscodi to both clients and designers.

Where does Proscodi stand on certification?

• Proscodi remains neutral on the subject of certification. Certification or testing to ‘officially’ recognize what constitutes a Graphic Designer is not part of Proscodi’s mission. Proscodi is intended as a resource for providing examples of ethical guidelines and ‘best practices’, all intended to better educate clients about the values and benefits of professional quality graphic design and marketing. The goal is to create a more trusting and smoother working relationship between clients and designers.

My country already has a design organisation of its own

• Proscodi is not intended to compete with design and designer focused organisations such as the USA’s GAG and AIGA, Australia’s AGDA, Canada’s GDC and RDC, or the UK’s Design Council. Neither will it compete with Icograda, the International Council of Graphic Design Associations. Proscodi will compliment these organisations with its design industry, client specific aims.

Who runs Proscodi?

• Proscodi is composed of a Board of Directors, officers, members and volunteers dedicated to facilitating and promoting the cause. The board will appoint committees to assist when it needs extra hands to research or resolve an issue.

How will Proscodi help clients?

• The Proscodi website will be a definitive site where clients can learn about ethical business practices in the design industry, how to choose an ethical designer, what questions to ask the designer, how to have a smooth working relationship with the same, and how to receive the best value for the services they seek.
• Through client focused articles and newsletters, Proscodi will foster an awareness of unethical business practices regarding the graphic design industry, as well as best practices and benefits for professional-quality marketing and design. Through client focused press releases and articles, the promotion of Proscodi’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practices will help promote the industry and all members. In addition, Proscodi’s website will be a client focused public forum for airing concerns and offering suggestions for the design industry.

How will Proscodi help designers?

• Proscodi’s website will be a definitive site for designers to share information with their clients regarding ethical and professional standards of the graphic design industry. The website will also be a means for a designer to be easily be found by clients looking for designers who have vowed to uphold the principles of Proscodi. The website will also be a definitive site for designers to use as a marketing and promotional tool, with online web presence providing additional exposure.

Why was Proscodi formed?

• The graphic design industry has been at a crossroads due to unresolved agreement regarding certification. Some in the industry want certification, some in the industry object to certification, a large majority do not feel the time is right, while still others object to the huge costs they would personally be expected to bear. From the design surveys run by Proscodi, the results show that 90% of the designers who participated agree there should be a means of standing behind an agreed Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practices.

Who can join?

• Proscodi is currently reviewing membership qualifications, however membership will be open to all those who can provide the necessary application documentation and agree to abide by the association’s ethics and professional practices. The specifics of the application documentation are still being finalized.

When will you be taking on members?

• Proscodi is currently reviewing the timeframe.

How much does it cost?

• Proscodi is currently reviewing costs in order to match benefits received.

What do I get if I join?

• Proscodi is currently reviewing costs in order to match benefits received.

Why should I join?

• For those not living in countries where certification is available, the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practices of Proscodi offers a way to stand up for the design industry without waiting. For those who would not chose to be certified even if it was on offer the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practices of Proscodi is again a way to stand up for the design industry.

Why doesn’t Proscodi offer software and skills courses like other design orgs?

• Proscodi is client driven, not designer driven. Proscodi has not been formed to replace other design organisations, rather it is intended to compliment them. Proscodi intends to form partnerships with other organisations and groups who already provide a range of designer skills training.