Previous Conferences

Midwest District Design Conference 2017

Radical Concepts

Whether you’re looking to elevate your thinking or your business model, a radical new concept or two may be needed to revitalize! While designers are change agents, we often resist change ourselves—yet radical thinking is vital to our profession. The IDSA Midwest District Design Conference 2017 from April 28–29, 2017 at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD)—ranked among the top 10 US industrial design programs in the country—will explore the how, why and what of radical concepts, radical thinking and how they may change your life—as well as the lives of others around you.

Northeast District Design Conference 2017

The Unexpected Conference

Expect the Unexpected March 31 to April 1! IDSA’s Northeast District Design Conference 2017 will be The Unexpected Conference—with wonderful collaborations, fortuitous conversations and surprising new solutions! If you want to be inspired by sensational speakers; rub elbows with design’s most talented students and professionals; and co-create with top design organizations and learn about the latest design tools and techniques in new workshops—join us! Design attire is optional—but networking is required! 

 

South District Design Conference 2017

Elevate

As the saying goes, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” Though originally attributed to economic well-being, the phrase can be applied to many things—including design. Our profession is fundamentally collaborative and we frequently work in teams—where pooling our knowledge yields the best results. The end goal, of course, is to mold ideas into tangible products and services that enable better lives and ignite imaginations. But in order to accomplish great things, we must continuously refine our craft. 

The IDSA South District Design Conference 2017 from April 7–8, 2017 at the University of Houston is your opportunity to do just that. It’s a celebration of creativity and ingenuity; a gathering of community; and a convergence of ideas. It’s a moment of introspection and reflection.

West District Design Conference 2017

DESIGN: HYBRID

IDSA’s West District Design Conference 2017 DESIGN:HYBRID lands April 23–24 at the University of Oregon in Portland.

HOW DO WE REACT IN TIME? In our current culture, we are required to be, do and know—more than ever before. We’re bombarded with information from one extreme to the other; from one media source to another. It’s CONFUSING! Yet, this is a time when we can create our own destiny and collaborate remotely with people from all around the globe.

What we need are cool nerves, quick reflexes and a clear understanding of the enormity of the task at hand. It’s a demanding, fast-paced enterprise—not for the faint of heart. However, the rewards of success can be great indeed!

IDSA International Conference 2016: Making Things Happen

Designers are driven to #MakingThingsHappen. We are the hand that introduces the future to the present, all while striving to benefit people, community and industry. Industrial designers play a critical role in advancing the satisfaction of life through experiences, social innovations and enjoyable services.

2016 Northeast Conference

Welcome to the 2016 IDSA Northeast District Design Conference: I am a Designer: AMA

I am a Designer will highlight Influential speakers, leaders in the design community and masters of their craft—all posing the challenge: “Ask Me Anything (AMA).” The purpose of the AMA format: to import the aspirational norms of honesty and authenticity from anonymous internet forums into a public venue during the entire conference. In short—an honest question gets an honest answer. The goal is to design a highly interactive experience—creating connected conversation among presenters, participants and sponsors.

2016 Midwest Conference

Welcome to the 2016 IDSA Midwest District Design Conference: Disrupt, Construct and Transform.

Industrial design is out. User experience design is in. As our roles change and morph, how do we visualize and frame our unique challenges and opportunities, and define and articulate the things that will set apart our ideas and our work? How should we measure and define success?

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