designNews

Industrial design education, information, community and advocacy

IN THIS ISSUE

IDEA Deadline Extension
Industrial Design Day
IDC Speakers and Abstracts
IDSA Awards and Fellows Nominations

Member Survey
Apply for IDSA Board
Designpreneur Part 10
Southern District Conference
Webinar with KeyShot

IDEA 2026 Entries Are Open - Deadline Extended to March 16

There’s still time to submit. IDEA 2026 entries are open, and the submission deadline has been extended to March 16.

Designers, students, startups, and interdisciplinary teams worldwide are invited to enter work across physical, digital, experiential, and conceptual design.

Don’t miss out. Enter today.

Industrial Design Day Recap

Photo Used: RHYTHM - A time-based scent-rotating diffuser designed for postpartum mothers to restore their balanced routine.

Last week, we celebrated National Industrial Design Day with a nationwide social media campaign under the theme Designers Who Shape What’s Next. Designers across the country shared their work—sketches, prototypes, renders, processes, and products—posting with the caption, “I’m shaping what’s next by ______.”

The campaign generated more than 56,000 views on Instagram and reached more than 5,000 members on LinkedIn. It not only celebrated creativity but also highlighted emerging designers and connected them to IDSA as their professional home.

Attendees of our Deep Dive: Be Unconventional event in Denver, Colorado, joined the celebration by sharing videos and photos that showcased their pride in being part of the industrial design community.

Call for IDC Speakers and Abstracts

The 2026 IDSA International Design Conference (IDC) & Education Symposium will take place August 18–21 in Pasadena, California, guided by this year’s theme, The Authenticity Project.

IDSA invites industrial design thought leaders to apply to speak and share ideas that inspire dialogue and help shape the future of the global design community. Speaker submissions are due March 31, 2026.

Apply to speak at IDC here.

We also welcome abstract submissions from scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners. Presentation formats include full papers, visual papers, panels, posters, and workshops. Abstracts are due March 20, 2026.

Proposals should explore authenticity in professional practice, teaching and learning, or research—and offer insights into the evolving field of industrial design.

Submit your abstract here.

IDSA Awards Nominations OPEN

March 12 - April 17

Celebrate the designers shaping our profession. IDSA Awards recognize individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the Society and the field of industrial design through professional impact, academic advancement, or personal achievement. Each year, peers nominate those making a lasting difference in the design community.

Learn more about the IDSA Awards

Applications for IDSA Fellows

March 12 - April 17

Nominate those making a lasting difference in the design community.

The IDSA Academy of Fellows is accepting applications, honoring individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence and leadership in industrial design

Learn more here

We Want to Hear From You

Take a few minutes to share your thoughts in our short survey and help us better understand the evolving needs and experiences of industrial designers. Your feedback will directly shape future IDSA programs and benefits — and make a real impact on the design community.

Take Our Survey

Apply for the IDSA Board of Directors

IDSA is now accepting applications for its nine-member Board of Directors. The Board provides strategic leadership and oversees key decisions, policies, compliance, and accountability in advancing our mission.

Board members are elected annually by the membership, and professional members are eligible to apply.

If you’re ready to contribute at the governance level, we invite you to submit your application using the link below.

Apply for the Board of Directors

Upcoming Events

Becoming a Designpreneur: Part 10 featuring Luis Angarita

Thursday, March 26th at 6pm ET

Join us for Part 10 of the Designpreneur series — a monthly exploration of how designers transform ideas into businesses. Hosted by John Arnott, with Caterina Rizzoni, Part 10 features Luis Angarita.

Luis Angarita is a Colombo Canadian designer and renowned product innovator, consultant, and entrepreneur with a master’s in design from Domus Academy Milan and a master’s in environmental design from the Université du Québec à Montréal.

Southern District Design Conference Returns to Atlanta on April 10-11

Join us April 10-11 in Atlanta as the Southern design community gathers once again for the Southern District Design Conference (SDDC). Hosted at Georgia Tech with support from their IDSA Student Chapter, the event brings together students and professionals for a day of connection, celebration, and emerging talent.

Co-Hosted Webinar with IDSA and KeyShot

Retro Skills for Revolutionary Product Visuals presented by Oliver Yu, Chief Creative and Marketing Officer at Hyperkin

What if the secret to cutting-edge 3D design was mastering an old-school skill?

Discover how old-school skills can supercharge modern 3D design! Join Oliver Yu—whose work spans Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo—as he shares how his photography background transformed his approach to 3D product visualization. Learn lighting, composition, and rendering techniques that bring hyper-realistic visuals to life, and gain actionable tips to elevate your own renders.

Stick around for a KeyShot Studio session, where the team will share expert tips and give away a free year of KeyShot Studio Pro to one lucky live attendee!

Join Us for this Co-Hosted Webinar

Not an IDSA Member?

Joining our community is an outward statement of your dedication to the profession of industrial design and aligns your shared passion for design with thousands of other designers across the globe.

Learn more