Industrial Designers Society of America

International Design Conference 2018
2018-09-19 - 2018-09-22
International Design Conference 2018 (IDC)
New Orleans, LA – Sept 19-22, 2018

Medical Design Deep Dive 2019
2019-03-09 08:00 - 2019-03-11 18:00 (America/New_York)

Women in Design Deep Dive 2019
2019-05-03 08:00 - 19:00

Talk: The Secret to Innovation is Emotional Intelligence
2020-01-29
Designers can access FREE REGISTRATION with the code INDUSTRY20.
Currently, one of the most under-appreciated aspects of the creative process is found in the basic human condition, Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
There are many people who go through the normal process of childhood all the way through adulthood, yet rarely take the time to look at WHY they think the way they do, and how they got themselves to where they are. Generally, there is a lack of critical thinking and the ability for self evaluation/self management. However, the more we look into this, the more that we learn that early life experiences of all levels contribute to how we perceive things and our levels of empathy.
Emotional Intelligence is a natural progression or development that comes out of various situations that Designers/Creatives were exposed to during developmental and crucial learning periods of their lives. The reason emotional intelligence is so important to analyze and understand lies in its effects on psychological development, and the output it can create when it takes the form of creative processes.
More often, when people have certain situations that are hard to overcome during their formidable years, there is a chemical and psychological transformation that occurs. This allows for a different level of sensitivity when looking at problems and/or applying empathy as a driver for research or just inquisitive exploration.
Kirsten Belaire MA, LPC and Jason P. Belaire, IDSA will explore how designers/creatives can start to understand their own emotional intelligence levels. They’ll also explain how to use EQ to think more critically and manage ourselves better in ways that can lead to innovation.

Sustainability Deep Dive 2020
2020-06-03 11:00 - 2020-06-05 19:00

Women in Design Deep Dive 2020
2020-10-06 11:00 - 2020-10-07 17:00

Medical Design Deep Dive 2020
2020-11-12 11:00 - 2020-11-13 17:00

Sustainability Deep Dive 2021
2021-06-09 11:00 - 2021-06-10 17:00

Women in Design Deep Dive 2021
2021-07-28 11:00 - 2021-07-29 17:00

Business of Design Deep Dive 2021
2021-11-02 10:00 - 2021-11-03 13:00

Women in Design Deep Dive 2022
2022-03-31 09:30 - 2022-04-01 17:00

Sustainable Leadership Deep Dive 2022
2022-05-18 11:00 - 2022-05-19 16:00

Women in Design Deep Dive 2023
2023-03-29 09:30 - 2023-03-30 17:00

Design Research Deep Dive 2023
2023-06-13 09:30 - 2023-06-14 17:00

Design Entrepreneurship Deep Dive 2023
2023-10-18 09:30 - 2023-10-19 17:00

IDSA International Design Conference & Education Symposium
2025-09-15 - 2025-09-19 | Detroit, Michigan, detroit, michigan, Detroit, MI, 48207

2026 IDSA Southern District Design Conference
2026-04-10 09:00 - 2026-04-11 18:30 | Georgia Tech School of Industrial Design, 247 4th St NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, United States
“We’re getting the band back together…”
Over the last 5 years or so, one of the most popular topics of discussion whenever you get IDSA members together is:
“What happened to the District Conferences? When are they coming back?”
The five IDSA District Design Conferences had been a mainstay and important part of the member experience for decades. For many of us, the District Conferences were where our careers started—either in our first student portfolio review or meeting our first employer. And for most of us, we met our friends and colleagues at a District Conference, and we’ve been part of a family for decades.
If you’re a student or recent graduate, you have most likely never attended a District Conference, but the District Conferences were the primary venue for student portfolio reviews, the Student Merit Awards, and introducing ID students to the professional design community. For the professionals, the District Conference was a cost-eﬀective, local networking event where the Industrial Design community could gather to celebrate with friends, build their networks, and meet new young talent. But citing issues regarding cost and complexity, IDSA discontinued the District Conferences after the 2018 season.
We want to (re)unite the local professional ID community because we miss our friends and colleagues.
We want to (re)connect students and young professionals to the professionals and ID community because we believe you’ve missed out on that experience.
Learn more and register today!

Event Highlights

Presentations for Students: Portfolios, Job Search, Getting Hired, Skills Building.
Student Portfolio Reviews for students and recent graduates.
Skills Workshops (TBD)
Professional Career Clinic: Looking for the “next step” in your career? Seasoned professionals will oﬀer one-on-one portfolio/work reviews, career advice and mentoring.
ID Job Board: Open intern, contract, and full-time positions with in-person interviews.
ID Program Poster Displays: See amazing work from the 10 Industrial Design programs in the Southern District and learn about graduate programs.
Student Merit Awards: In-person school Finalist presentations (Graduate and Undergraduate) with the exciting return of in-person SMA District Judging and Winner Announcements.
Round Table Discussions: Students, young professionals, and older practitioners talk ID careers.
Presentations for Practitioners (Ex., Hiring Talent, AI Tools, Sustainable/Circular Design, etc.)
Discussion: Using AI Design Tools in Professional Practice: Practical, Ethical, Legal Implications.
Discussion: Sustainable/Circular Design and Innovation
Social Gatherings at local Atlanta restaurant/venues (Friday and Saturday night).

All Are Welcome!
For those who were educated or work in the Southern District, we take a special pride that our District Conferences were always well-attended and enjoyed by our attendees. But we want EVERYONE to participate in this event to show that there’s still an interest in the District Conferences and the value they oﬀer to our community. It doesn’t matter where you call home, come hang out with us in Atlanta!
