We have an exciting and comprehensive schedule of events and programming slated to span the entire year of 2021. This is all on top of the local activity you can expect from our Chapter communities across the country. Below you'll find key dates and links to more information on each of our major programs for 2021. (For advertising opportunities, view the IDSA Media Kit.)
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all IDSA programming produced by the national IDSA office will be conducted virtually until further notice.
2021 Call for Speakers
Conferences & Events
International Design Conference
IDC 24-hour livestream
September 22-23
IDSA Education Symposium
September 22
Deep Dives
Getting it Made
March 17-18
Sustainability
June 9-10
Women in Design
July 28-29
The Business of Design
November 2-3
Design Voices
Life-Centered Design
August 31
Theme TBD
October 26
Previous Design Voices 2021 events:
• Circular Design: Close That Loop!
• Design for Democracy
• Perspectives on Race and Design
• Intersection of Service Design & ID
• Women in ID: Data Bias & Entrepreneurship
National Industrial Design Day
March 5
Each year, IDSA celebrates with the global design community on March 5 in recognition of National Industrial Design Day. First entered into the US Congressional Record in 2015 by US Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, National Industrial Design Day declares that industrial designers “improve our lives in every way and are worthy of our recognition.”
Awards & Recognitions
International Design Excellence Awards
Open for entry
January 4
Entry closes
March 15
IDEA Winners Ceremony
September 21
Student Merit Awards
Undergraduate SMA - Round 1
January - March 8
Undergraduate SMA - Round 2
March 8 - April 5
Graduate SMA
March 8 - April 5
Winners announced
May
IDSA Awards
Call for nominations opens
May 3
Call for nominations closes
June 30
IDSA Awards Ceremony
September 21
20/21 Recognitions
Recipients announced
December
Academic
Education Papers
Entry opens
March 1
Entry closes
May 3
Paper acceptance notifications & public announcements
June
Undergraduate & Graduate Scholarships
Entry opens
April 19
Entry closes
June 11
Recipients announced
July 26
Nominations & Elections
National Leadership Positions
Call for interest opens
April 5
Call for interest closes
May 7
Candidates posted online
August 2 - September 30 (30 days minimum)
IDSA membership voting
September 3 - September 30
Election results announced
November 1
Chapter Leadership Positions
Call for interest opens
October 1
Call for interest closes
November 1
Candidates posted
November 8
IDSA membership voting
November 15 - December 13
Chapters notify IDSA of results
by December 17
Election results announced
December 20