World Industrial Design Day (WIDD)

GLOBAL ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR INAUGURAL WORLD INDUSTRIAL DESIGN DAY Professional designers and design enthusiasts around the globe will unite on June 29, 2008 for the first ever observance of World Industrial Design Day (WIDD). Established on the occasion of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) 50th anniversary, the observance is an occasion to explore the development and evolution of industrial design, specifically focusing on its significant merits and impact on quality of life. “Observing World Industrial Design Day is an impressionable initiative to involve the design community in a unified movement to promote a better understanding of industrial design and to promote the positive effects of design on everyday life,” stated Prof. Carlos Hinrichsen, Icsid President. “In this first year, we have set a conservative goal to simply raise awareness about World Industrial Design Day. However, we expect the observance to grow in scope and in content with each passing year.” Excitement around the day has already garnered international attention and a series of events has already been identified to support the effort. International events include a design conference, exhibitions, in-store promotional events, a roundtable discussion, lectures and a book launch, as well as the circulation of print materials within the Icsid network of members to raise awareness of the day on a global scale. On June 29, designers are encouraged to explore their creativity, innovation, vision and passion in recognition of the role that industrial design and designers have played in society. It is a chance to take a positive step towards accentuating industrial design’s role in improving the economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life around the world. About the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) is an international non-governmental organisation for professional industrial design. Founded in 1957, Icsid currently counts over 150 members in more than 50 countries, representing an estimated 150,000 designers worldwide. Icsid members are professional associations, promotional societies, educational institutions, government bodies, corporations and institutions — all of which contribute to the development of the profession of industrial design. Icsid facilitates co-operation and interaction among these societies and supports a global network through which design institutions worldwide can collaborate. Through shared interests, experiences, and resources, Icsid provides an international platform for its members to be heard as a powerful voice. Icsid also holds consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO, ISO and WIPO to support and highlight design in international forums. For more information, please contact: Andréa Springer Communications Manager t: +1 514 448 4949 ext. 232 f: +1 514 448 4948 e: [email protected]