Montreal (Canada) – The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) announced today the appointment of Icsid President, Prof. Carlos Hinrichsen as the incoming Lead Chair of the International Design Alliance (IDA).

Formed in 2005, the IDA is an alliance founded under the auspice of Icsid and Icograda (International Council of Graphic Design Associations). As a leading member of the IDA Executive Committee, Prof. Hinrichsen will work towards the development and future growth of the alliance, that has since September 2008, welcomed the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) as the newest member of the alliance.

Prof. Hinrichsen welcomes this role following a twelve-month term led by Icograda President Prof. Don Ryun Chang. From now until November 2009, Prof. Hinrichsen will chair future IDA meetings and develop the alliance with the continued support of Co-Chairs Prof. Chang and IFI President, Mr. Shrikant Nivasarkar.

At the September meeting of the IDA Committee, a new paradigm emerged. In this dynamic model, the three independent organisations will join forces in a series of collaborative actions or events. Most importantly, the new paradigm will allow the IDA to focus on developing content out of the events managed by its partners that will position the IDA to be the voice of design to the rest of the world—its original and more critical mandate. “This new model has created a new spirit of collaboration in the IDA partners, but we have a lot more work to do. I am looking forward to receiving reports from all the working committees at our next meeting, and firming up some concrete implementation steps, ” stated Prof. Hinrichsen.

As identified in a statement released in September 2008, the IDA partners will continue to focus attention on the implementation of the first IDA Congress to be held in Taipei in 2011. Several other exciting initiatives are in developments for discussion at the next IDA meeting in March 2009. Supported by the Icsid Secretariat, Prof. Hinrichsen aims to lead the next phase of the IDA development in his role as Lead Chair.

About Prof.Carlos Hinrichsen
Professor Hinrichsen is an industrial designer, practicing in Chile since 1992. He holds a Master of Engineering degree received in Japan in 1991. Since 1992, he has been professor and director of School of Design, Instituto Profesional DuocUC of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and was head of DuocUC Design Center from 1998 to 2003. He has been a design process consultant for over two decades focusing on product and strategic design. He is also currently the Design Director for the Latin American Region of Design Innovation, a European Design company with clients and prospects all over the world. He has participated as Research Director in projects concerning technological innovation in design education, as well as successfully coordinated agreements between Latinamerican, Japanese, European and Asian Universities and organisations. Prof. Hinrichsen has been a member of the Icsid Board since 2001 and has actively been involved in Interdesign workshops. Since 2002, he has been an honorary member of the Chilean Association of Design Firms; QVID.

About Icsid
The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) was founded in 1957 by a group of international organisations committed to industrial design. Today, Icsid counts over 160 members in more than 50 countries, representing approximately 150,000 designers. Icsid members are professional associations, promotional societies, educational institutions, government bodies, corporations and institutions — which aim to 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

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 for communication design, unifying the voice of designers worldwide and promoting their dynamic role in society and commerce. Founded in London in 1963, Icograda holds consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO, ISO, IFFRO and WIPO.

From its core membership of communication design associations, Icograda has expanded to include affiliated organisations promoting the value of design, the community of communication design educational institutions and design media, as well as a worldwide network of individuals and corporations who share a common interest in graphic design and visual communication. Today, Icograda has 195 Members and numerous Friends in 57 countries worldwide.
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 member countries, collectively represents about 65 000 members from all the continents of the world. IFI’s mission is to expand internationally the contribution of Interior Architecture/ Interior Design profession, to society through exchange and development of knowledge and experience in education, practice and fellowship.
www.ifiworld.org

For more information, please contact:

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

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