World Design Organization (WDO)® is a globally recognized non-governmental organization that aims to promote and advance the discipline of industrial design and its power to enhance economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life.

 

From 12 founding professional design associations in 1957, WDO has grown to include over 200 member organizations from 40 nations around the world, engaging thousands of individual designers through our innovative programming and initiatives that champion ‘design for a better world’.

Being part of an international design organization such as WDO gives us important leverage to place Universidad Iberoamericana amongst the most recognized schools in Mexico, and have it known by different associations in the United States and the world.

 – Mariam Bujalil, Universidad Iberoamericana,  WDO Educational Member, Mexico

WDO has been an invaluable partner of the Design Center of the Philippines for more than 30 years. The networking opportunities we have gained from our membership has immensely benefited our institution and has helped us stay on course even amid challenging times.

 – Karem Miranda, Supervising Trade-Industry Development Specialist, Design Promotions Division, Design Center of the Philippines, WDO Promotional Member, Philippines

Being a member of WDO since 1973, the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) has implemented numerous events and activities in collaboration with WDO over the past years. We found the seminars and conferences particularly effective, in which we have invited WDO Presidents and Directors as speakers. As the WDO Board of Directors consists of design experts from such a wide range of professionals and nationalities, these served as unique opportunities for the Korean design community to obtain diverse perspectives on the role of design in different sectors of society and industry.

 – Minyoung Park, Manager Global Expansion Division, Korea Institute of Design Promotion, WDO Promotional Member South, Korea

As a member-based organization, members are at the heart of WDO’s mission. In this special message, WDO’s 2023-2025 President, Thomas Garvey, extends a warm welcome to you and your colleagues and shares what you can look forward to as part of WDO’s international network.