Montréal (Canada) – The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) and the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda), partners in the International Design Alliance (IDA), have officially signed an agreement welcoming the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) as the IDA’s newest partner.

The signing ceremony took place on September 13, 2008, at the joint Secretariat located in the heart of Montréal’s Quartier International. The agreement was signed by Prof. Don Ryun Chang, Icograda President and IDA Lead Chair, Prof. Carlos Hinrichsen, Icsid President and IDA Co-chair, and Mr. Shrikant Nivasarkar, IFI President.

“This is a significant day for the IDA. Icsid, Icograda and IFI have a long history of close collaboration. Welcoming IFI as a partner in the IDA builds on this history and strengthens the IDA’s position as the international voice for design,” stated Prof. Chang. “We are looking forward to the new opportunities this expansion will create for all the IDA partners and the broader design community.”

The signing ceremony took place at the beginning of a two-day strategic planning session for the alliance. “The IDA partners have identified key initiatives as a platform for future growth. Our focus will be content-led, delivering value through collaboration. Aligned with the first IDA Congress in 2011, we will co-produce the first multi-disciplinary IDA Report. Between now and then, we will introduce an IDA website, enhancing the visibility of our alliance and leveraging this portal as a means of both content sharing and interacting with our audience,” added Prof. Chang.

Expanded Montréal presence for design
The agreement to become an IDA partner will see IFI establish its international headquarters to Montréal. “Montréal’s built environment, and especially the Quartier International, showcases the contribution of interior architects and designers in creating the city’s unique character. Our members will gain from this change and from our collaboration as an IDA partner,” added Mr. Nivasarkar.

The establishment of IFI in Montréal has benefited from the support of Montréal International, which has guided the organisation throughout the entire process. “We are extremely proud to have contributed to bringing such a dynamic and prestigious international organization as IFI to our city,” declared André Gamache, President and CEO of Montréal International. “As a new IDA partner, IFI will be part of the vibrant community of nearly 70 international organisations that contribute so significantly to the economic development and international status of our metropolis,” underscored Mr. Gamache. “This also means a lot of opportunities for IFI to expand its networks and partnerships in our region.”

Bringing together the three international organisations for design is a unique accomplishment for the city which is also recognized as a UNESCO City of Design. Looking ahead, future IDA meetings will be held in Montréal as a forum for the alliance to meet with stakeholders. “Hosting the IDA partners is a significant demonstration of Montréal’s commitment to the design community,” concluded Prof. Hinrichsen, “In turn, we are looking forward to showcasing the city to our international networks by bringing them to Montréal for discussion and dialogue with the IDA.”

About the IDA
Established in 2005, by founding partners Icsid and Icograda, the International Design Alliance (IDA) is a strategic venture between the international organisations representing design. The IDA serves as the collective voice for all disciplines, advocating the mutual interest of all design professions.

About 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 also holds consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO, ISO and WIPO to support and highlight design in international forums. www.icsid.org

About Icograda
The International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda) is the world body for professional communication design. It is the representative international non-governmental organisation, unifying the voice of graphic design, visual communication, design management, promotion, education, research and journalism. Founded in London in 1963, Icograda holds consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO, ISO, IFFRO and WIPO. Today, Icograda represents more than 200 organisations in 67 countries and regions around the globe. The vision, mission and core values of Icograda are embodied in the statement ‘leading creatively’ and manifested through our Members’ diverse activities to use design as a medium for progressive change. www.icograda.org

About IFI
The International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) was founded in Denmark in 1963. The current membership of IFI is 74 members under various categories from 45 countries, collectively representing about 65 000 members. IFI’s mission is to expand internationally the contribution of the Interior Architecture/ Interior Design profession, to society through exchange and development of knowledge and experience in education, practice and fellowship. www.ifiworld.org

About Montréal International
Montréal International was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organisations and strategic workers, and supporting the development of innovation and high-technology clusters in the metropolitan region. Montréal International is financed by the private sector, the Montréal Metropolitan Community, the City of Montréal and the governments of Canada and Québec.

Since 2000, Montréal International has been involved in 422 direct foreign investment projects totaling $6.3 billion. These investments have helped create over 31 500 jobs and maintain more than 5 500.
www.montrealinternational.com

Download the press release in French (PDF – 636KB)

For more information, please contact:

Brenda Sanderson, Icograda
t: +1 514 448 4949, x 226
e: bsanderson@icograda.org

Andréa Springer, Icsid
t: +1 514 448 4949, x 232
e: aspringer@icsid.org

Ms. Shashi Caan, IFI
t: +1 212 769 0142
m: +1 917 562 7918
e: scaan@sccollective.com

Céline Clément, Montréal International
t: +1 514 987 9390
e: celine.clement@montrealinternational.com