Volunteers shape decisions and actions that power IDSA’s success.
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. Members and applicants of committees, councils, and juries must be IDSA members in good standing.
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.
Expands understanding of circular design and its role in modern design systems, driving sustainability strategies and solutions within the industry. Responsible for developing resources that enhance practical circular design knowledge and application and facilitating its integration into design processes.
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.
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 IDSA’s INNOVATION magazine publication. Responsibilities include developing, curating, and editing content for INNOVATION Magazine in preparation for a quarterly release cadence to subscribers and stakeholders. May often collaborate with members, stakeholders, and sponsors to 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.
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.
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.
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.)
