Volunteers shape decisions and actions that power IDSA’s success.
We are excited about the positive change we are making at IDSA, and we invite Members* to join us! We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help shape the work of IDSA by applying to serve on one of its committees, councils, or juries in 2026. Whether you’re a first-time volunteer or have helped us before, your time and dedication make a significant difference for our community.
Visit Call for Volunteers to learn more and sign up. The deadline for volunteer applications is Friday, October 10. Answer the call and apply today!
* Must be IDSA Members (Academic, Affiliate, Professional, or Young Professional) upon application and throughout committee, council, or jury term.
IDSA thrives through the collective efforts of dedicated members who are empowered to lead impactful programs and initiatives. Governance advisory and working groups are instrumental in overseeing and managing projects that drive meaningful progress and growth within IDSA.
Select each group below for more information about what they do. Committees, councils, and juries’ members and applicants must be IDSA members and remain in good standing throughout the duration of their terms.
Ensures the annual awards program consistently and equitably recognizes achievements in academic excellence and significant contributions to the profession and organization, and remains relevant and valued by the industrial design community. Responsible for administering the awards program, recommending policy and process improvements, and overseeing the awards’ juries.
IDSA’s Circular Design Council is led by industry practitioners and educators committed to bridging the gap between circular theory and practice, by developing the resources needed to enhance our members’ practical knowledge and by establishing the industry standard for Circular Design to create a sustainable impact.
Serves as judges for IDSA Design Foundation’s scholarships, enabling the foundation to assist the next generation of industrial design talent. Responsible for scoring candidate applications and determining scholarship winners.
Ensures IDSA is well-prepared and strategically positioned in intellectual property issues and litigation. Responsible for maintaining the expert witness webpage and advising the IDSA Board of Directors on important legal matters regarding significant patent court cases and IDSA’s engagement in the court cases.
Champions an inclusive culture that supports and promotes equitable access to opportunities for diverse and future generations of talent, reflecting the communities IDSA serves. Responsible for spotlighting and promoting designers from under-represented groups throughout IDSA, engaging the membership in practice of allyship and sponsorship, and overseeing and administering the IDSA Ascension Program.
Serves as judges and peer reviewers of academic education papers on industrial design research and case studies, helping IDSA ensure the integrity, quality, and relevance of scholarly works. Responsible for reviewing, selecting, and maintaining a consistent level of high-quality papers for publication and presentation at the annual International Design Conference & Education Symposium.
Curates and executes at least two virtual, one-day deep dives, one-day conferences focused on pressing, emerging, and high-impact topics in industrial design. Responsible for identifying relevant and provocative themes, recommending speakers, shaping program content, and working in partnership with IDSA staff to ensure a seamless event experience.
Plays a crucial role in governance by ensuring that the leadership team is composed of qualified, diverse, and effective individuals who can guide IDSA toward its strategic objectives. Responsible for identifying and vetting candidates to serve in elected roles on the Board of Directors and other elected positions within IDSA.
A diverse team of IDSA members, supported by IDSA staff, responsible for overseeing INNOVATION magazine publication. Responsibilities include developing and curating content for INNOVATION alongside the editors in preparation for a quarterly release cadence to subscribers and stakeholders. May collaborate with members and stakeholders to develop articles and ensure the accuracy, relevance, and quality of the published content. Contributes to building and maintaining IDSA’s brand and reputation through well-crafted, cutting-edge, and impactful INNOVATION issues.
A dedicated group of IDSA members responsible for advancing the organization’s understanding of key issues it seeks to address, thereby informing the Board’s strategies and actions. Primary role includes identifying relevant research areas, executing research activities, and interpreting and communicating research findings as directed by the Board of Directors. Ensures that IDSA complies with research best practices and ethical guidelines while the Board ensures that all research activities are aligned with IDSA’s mission and annual objectives. Plays a key role in generating data-driven insights that enable the organization to make informed decisions and enhance its impact.
Works to create equitable opportunities for all gender identities in industrial design. Its vision is to empower women in the community and achieve parity across the field. Unifies and amplifies female designers’ voices, shares knowledge, fosters networks, and supports the founding of chapters nationwide by women, non-binary people, and equity allies.
Serves as judges for the IDSA Awards or the Student Merit Awards (SMA), Graduate or Undergraduate, supporting IDSA’s recognition of professional contributions to the organization, profession, and academia, and of exceptional student design talent, respectively. Responsible for scoring candidate applications and determining winners of IDSA’s distinguished honors.
Serves as judges for the annual International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), helping IDSA identify and honor exceptional achievement and promote innovation and excellence in industrial design. Responsible for scoring entries on established criteria and determining IDEA winning designs across 20 categories through two rounds of judging.
The majority of volunteer opportunities open during IDSA’s Annual Call for Volunteers in the fall. The Call for Volunteers for 2026 IDSA Committees, Councils, and Juries is now closed. To be considered for future opportunities that are compatible with your interests, complete a Volunteer Profile.
Attention current volunteers: Access the Volunteer Resource Library for guidance and templates useful for leading and serving on IDSA’s committees, councils, and juries. (Login required.)
