Montreal (Canada) – In commemoration of World Industrial Design Day (WIDD) on 29 June, the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) is calling for designers to organise events celebrating this year’s theme: “Industrial Design: Humane solutions for a resilient world”. This international day of observance was created by Icsid to highlight the discipline of industrial design and start collaborations that help improve its impact on quality of life throughout the world.

In 2009, World Industrial Design Day gained considerable momentum through a variety of commemorative events hosted by professional associations, corporations and educational institutions across five continents. Participants assembled at organised events that included free entrance to design museums, conferences on sustainability, exhibitions, international symposiums, as well as other social gatherings aimed at building public awareness and solidarity.

The theme chosen this year is especially poignant in light of the series of disasters that have affected humanity worldwide. In choosing “Industrial Design: Humane solutions for a resilient world”, the Icsid Executive Board aims this year, to inspire events that encourage designers to work together to help alleviate suffering and create a world that is better prepared to respond to such tragedies.

“In our current society, there are expanded opportunities for industrial designers. Our field is growing from its historical role in the design of objects to the design of social systems and solving social and humanitarian problems through design,” stated Icsid President Dr. Mark Breitenberg. “World Industrial Design Day gives designers an international platform to address these problems and shines a light on the sometimes antiquated perception of what industrial designers do.”

Event: World Industrial Design Day
When: 29 June 2010
Where: Worldwide

In its initial year, renowned German designer Uwe Loesch created a poster specifically for World Industrial Design Day, which inspired the successful introduction of the first student poster competition, organised by Icsid in 2009. The competition received a remarkable number of submissions from design students across the globe and now in its second year will include public online voting to determine the winner.

In March 2010, students from over 60 Icsid Member educational institutions were invited to submit entries to have their poster recognised as the face of World Industrial Design Day 2010. The winning poster will be profiled and promoted internationally for 2010 and will be distributed via the network of Icsid Members for use during their events.

An international jury consisting of Icsid Executive Board members – Brandon Gien (Chair – Australia), Kazuo Tanaka (Japan), Nils Toft (Denmark), Tapani Hyvönen (Finland), Tony Chang (Taipei/Chinese Taiwan) and Michelle Berryman (USA) – met on 23 April to select a short-list of five posters eligible for online voting. Between 11-27 May, public voting will be open on the Icsid Website to determine the winner.

Event: Public online voting for World Industrial Design Day 2010 Student Poster Competition
When: 11-27 May 2010
Where: www.icsid.org

“The creativity and variety of the entries this year was brilliant and will help promote World Industrial Design Day. We are very excited about the introduction of public voting. Since its inception, Icsid has been an organisation that prides itself on being an expansive international community,” stated Brandon Gien, Chair of the Jury. “Now we take our first step towards also making Icsid a virtual community and a resource for the whole world.”

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Rafael Mayor-Mora
Icsid Communications Manager
t: +1 514 448 4949 ext. 223
e: rmayor@icsid.org

Links

Uwe Loesch poster 2008
World Industrial Design Day 2008 events
World Industrial Design Day 2009 events
World Industrial Design Day 2009 student poster competition

About World Industrial Design Day (29 June)

World Industrial Design Day (WIDD) is observed annually on 29 June in recognition of the profession of industrial design. First declared in 2007 on the occasion of Icsid’s 50th anniversary, WIDD has been established with the aim of promoting awareness of the profession of industrial design, highlighting the contribution designers and academics have made to the discipline and facilitating collaborations that help improve economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life throughout the world.

Through a series of international events on 29 June, initiated by Icsid Members and non-members alike, World Industrial Design Day provides designers and like-minded design enthusiasts from a wide spectrum of professions with a channel to engage with one another. Events such as sustainability workshops, exhibitions, international symposiums on socially responsible design, webcasts, free admission to museums and Icsid’s international student poster competition are but a few of the commemorative activities that World Industrial Design Day has inspired throughout the world.

About the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid)

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) is a non-profit organisation that protects and promotes the interests of the profession of industrial design. Founded in 1957, Icsid serves as a unified voice of over 50 nations through which members can express their views and be heard on an international platform. Since its inception, Icsid has continued to develop its wide-reaching network of students and professionals devoted to the recognition, success and growth of the industrial design community. Together, professional associations, promotional societies, educational institutions, government bodies and corporations create a comprehensive and diverse system on the forefront of industrial design education and progress.
www.icsid.org