Montreal (Canada) – The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) Executive Board of Directors for the 2009-2011 term was announced at the close of the Icsid General Assembly on 27 November 2009. The biennial election was the highlight of a week-long Icsid World Design Congress and General Assembly schedule. 15 nominations from around the world were received for the nine board vacancies.

Dr. Mark Breitenberg (USA) becomes the president to lead Icsid this term. He is Provost at California College of the Arts, USA. Formerly, he was the Dean of Humanities and Design Science at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He has served three terms on Icsid’s Executive Board, as board member for two terms and as President Elect 2007-2009.

In the President’s first address to the membership, Dr. Breitenberg took a moment to thank past Presidents and reflect on some of the remarkable moments in Icsid’s history. He reminded the general assembly that Icsid has always been a truly international organisation. He continued by stressing Icsid’s mission to create a world where design enhances our social, cultural, economic and environmental quality of life and stated, “In the next two years, as President, I want to learn from and extend the legacies of the past presidents. You have just elected a very talented and diverse Executive Board, representing nearly every part of the world. With their help, and with your involvement, I believe we can continue the growth, impact and stature of Icsid.”

Dr. Breitenberg concluded his remarks by urging all members to actively participate in Icsid. “Industrial designers do, and in doing, understand. That is what I want for Icsid – an organisation that acts, makes a difference, has an impact and transforms the world. For that to happen, we need to work together. You must get involved, not just as members of Icsid but also as participants in Icsid.”

The 2009-2011 Icsid Executive Board are as follows:

  • Dr. Mark Breitenberg  – President (USA)
  • Mr. Soon-In Lee – President Elect (South Korea)
  • Mr. Brandon Gien – Executive Board Member and Treasurer (Australia)
  • Ms. Michelle Berryman – Executive Board Member (USA)
  • Mr. Tony Chang – Executive Board Member (Chinese Taipei, Taiwan)
  • Mr. Martin Darbyshire – Executive Board Member (United Kingdom)
  • Mr. Tapani Hyvonen – Executive Board Member (Finland)
  • Mr. Mugendi M’Rithaa – Executive Board Member (South Africa)
  • Mr. Kazuo Tanaka – Executive Board Member (Japan )
  • Mr. Nils Toft – Executive Board Member (Denmark)
  • Mr. Pradyumna Vyas – Executive Board Member (India)

Read more about the new Board Members.

The new Board will hold its next meeting in Montreal, Canada in January 2010. “The extensive knowledge and varied backgrounds of the new Executive Board members will be a valuable asset to our organisation and to the industrial design profession at this important juncture in its evolution,” said Dilki de Silva, Secretary General of Icsid.  “As the board develops policies and programs for the new term, Icsid will ensure that the voices of all members are heard through a meaningful, ongoing consultation process. We will invite all members to share their ideas, questions, and concerns with us on an on going basis as their involvement is key to the success of our organisation.”

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the outgoing President, Carlos Hinrichsen (Chile) and outgoing Executive Board Members for their dedication and exceptional contribution to Icsid,” added Ms. de Silva.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Dilki de Silva
Icsid Secretary General
t: +1 514 448 4949 ext. 227
e: ddesilva@icsid.org

Ms. Andrea Springer
Icsid Communications Manager
t: +1 514 448 4949 ext. 232
e: aspringer@icsid.org

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 supports and highlights design as a valuable tool to serve key issues discussed in international forums. This requires collaboration with individuals, governments, NGO’s, companies and organisations, in order to guarantee and strengthen the presence of design at all level. Icsid holds consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO, ISO and WIPO.
www.icsid.org