Design Institute of Australia
The DIA is the national organisation that enables Australian designers by providing knowledge, thought leadership, access and inclusivity. Scroll down to find out more about the organisation and its leadership.
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As Australia’s peak industry body for professional designers, the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) represents Australian design and designers both domestically and internationally.
The DIA advocates for designer issues and lead stakeholder initiatives that leverage designers’ voices and elevate their contributions. It helps Australia’s professional designers to succeed in business and to enjoy their working lives, while collectively growing Australia’s reputation as a Design Nation.
The DIA brings together design practitioners with people and organisations who employ, commission, support and promote designers.
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Our professional members typically hold (or are studying for) a 3 to 4-year tertiary design qualification. They are experts in design thinking, creative problem solving and innovation. Collectively, our professional members represent a broad gamut of disciplines in both established and emerging fields of design. They include (but are not limited to) spatial designers, communications designers, industrial designers, design educators, systems designers and design managers.
Our other members include individuals and organisations who understand the importance of design to Australia’s cultural identity and economy. They include manufacturers, people who commission and employ designers, and non-design professionals relevant to design practice.
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The DIA believes designers and their contributions shape the world around us. Our vision is to help the design profession become one of the most valuable professions in Australia.
We value socially distributed cognition, inclusive group decision making, community building activities and cultivate cutting-edge experiences for designers to learn and be together.
The DIA respects ideas, creativity, diversity, processes and contributions. It’s the driving force spearheading new governance in-group decision-making that promotes trust, thoughtfulness, understanding, competency and responsiveness.
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We attract designers of all levels and experience, from students and established designers to industry leaders who want to grow their design skills. Membership benefits include professional development, regulatory guidance, design discipline advocacy and networking. The DIA champions designer excellence through its influential Hall of Fame, Designers Australia Awards, and Graduate of the Year programs. It hosts DIA – Design Days, Talks, Community and bespoke designer programs.
The DIA demonstrates the Value of Design through its in-house advocacy team advocating for designers, government and industry. Learning courses, a CPD network, mentoring resources, practice notes, and regular news, industry, and trend reports inspire people to value design.
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DIA was established in 1939 and is Australia’s only institution governed by a constitution representing an associated member body. The DIA has six branches that represent each state and territory. Its National Advisory Council (NAC) provides advice and input to the Board of Directors and is a communication channel between DIA Members, Branches and Branch Councils.
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1.0 Introduction
An important object of the DIA is to have its members recognised in the design professions and among the general public as having professional status of the highest standard.
To achieve this the DIA expects its members to conduct themselves honourably and honestly in their dealings with their clients, the community and their colleagues.
This Guide is based on the Model Code of Professional Conduct for Designers which has been accepted by members of the following bodies: World Design Organization (WDO), International Federation of Interior Designers (IFI), and International Council of Design (Ico-D).
The DIA offers this code as a guide to acceptable behaviour.
The DIA’s Constitution provides for the expulsion of members who do not comply.
2.0 Definitions
'Designer' means an individual practising as a freelance or salaried designer or a group of designers acting in partnership or within other forms of association and includes:
2.1 Designers concerned with products and capital goods
2.2 Interior architects, interior designers & interior decorators
2.3 Designers concerned with graphic and visual communication
2.3 Designers concerned with textiles & fabrics
3.0 The designer's responsibility to the community
3.1 A designer accepts a professional obligation to further the social and aesthetic standards of the community
3.2 A designer shall act in keeping with the honour and dignity of the profession
3.3 A designer shall not consciously assume or accept a position in which personal interests conflict with professional duty
4.0 The designer's responsibility to the client
4.1 A designer shall act in the client's interests within the limits of the designer's professional duties
4.2 A designer shall not work simultaneously on assignments which are in direct competition without informing the clients or employers concerned, except in specific cases where it is customary for the designer to work at the same time for various competitors
4.3 A designer shall treat all knowledge of a client's intentions, production methods and business organization as confidential and shall not, at any time divulge such information without the consent of the client. It is the designer's responsibility to ensure that all members of staff are similarly bound to confidentiality
5.0 The designer's responsibility to other designers
5.1 A designer must not attempt, directly or indirectly, to supplant another designer who has a firm commitment with a client in relation to a particular project
5.2 A designer shall not knowingly accept any professional assignment upon which another designer has been acting without notifying the other designer
5.3 A designer must be fair in criticism and shall not denigrate the work or reputation of a fellow designer
5.4 A designer shall not accept instructions from a client which knowingly involve plagiarism nor consciously act in a manner involving plagiarism
5.5 A designer should avoid the speculative or competitive provision of design services for a commercial client (referred to as free pitching).
6.0 Designer's remuneration
6.1 Before accepting an assignment a designer shall define exactly and comprehensively to the client the basis on which the total remuneration is calculated
6.2 A designer who is financially concerned with any company, firm or business which may benefit from any recommendations made in the course of the commissioned work shall notify the client or employer of this fact in advance
6.3 A designer who is asked to advise on the selection of designers shall accept no payment in any form from the designer recommended
7.0 Publicity
7.1 Notwithstanding anything elsewhere stated in this Guide to Professional Conduct, circumspect advertising may be properly employed by the designer to announce the practice and services offered. The media or other forms of communication used and the content of the announcement shall be dignified, becoming to a designer and characteristically free of any factor or circumstance that could bring disrepute to the profession. Information given must be truthful, factual and free from ostentatious, complimentary or laudatory expressions or implications
7.2 A designer may allow the client to use the designer's name for the promotion of articles designed or service provided, but only in a manner which is appropriate to the status of the profession
7.3 A designer shall not allow his/her name to be associated with the realisation of a design which has been so changed by the client as no longer to be substantially the original work of the designer
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In November 2017, the DIA commenced a number of constitutional changes designed to provide the organisation with greater flexibility and transparency. A Transition Board was appointed to oversee this process, before a new Board was appointed at the AGM in Oct 2018.
Key changes include:
Establishment of a National Advisory Council
Reduction in Board size from 15 to 8 Directors (DIA National President, 4 DIA members and 3 skills-based independent members)
Shorter and less prescriptive constitution to work in conjunction with a DIA Charter.
DIA - Board of Directors
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President & Chair Gavin has long been an advocate of the DIA on a local, state, and national level. He chaired the Western Australian Branch for five years, and acted as a National Director for four years.
After sixteen years as a Senior Associate with HASSEL, Gavin now provides specialist design consultancy services. His recent collaborations include interior design and architecture, branding and marketing, photography, styling, and graphic design.
Gavin’s strong passion for design and its value to our culture has motivated him to work to promote the values of good design across the whole community. Gavin is passionate about recognising the changing landscape of design and looks forward contributing to the implementation of the DIA’s strategic vision.
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Jo-Ann is the Chief Executive Officer of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and a leading voice of Australian design. Since 2015, Jo-Ann has overseen new initiatives to enhance the value and competitive success of Australian designers. She is currently in the midst of leading an extensive organisational restructure and governance reform of the DIA.
Boasting extensive experience working in leadership roles, Jo-Ann most recently brought her skills to the Australian Design Alliance and the Standards Australia CS92 Clothing Sizes Committee. She is also the immediate past Executive Director and CEO of the Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA). With a career spanning business, education, and the not-for-profit sector, Jo-Ann is equipped with a 360 degree understanding of design through practice, education, and good business sense.
A vocal advocate for design for more than twenty years, Jo-Ann received an Honorary Fellowship in 2014 from the Design Institute of Australia in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the industry.
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Beck holds a Bachelor of Built Environment & Engineering (Industrial Design), Graduate Diploma (Industrial Design) and a PhD in Design from Queensland University of Technology. She has a deep understanding of design industry and education.
She recently left her role at Griffith University to accept a role as Senior Lecturer in the School of Art and Design at the Australian National University. Through this appointment Beck will continue her work shaping design education.
Beck is committed to raising the awareness of the broader function of design as a method for shaping creative, ethical and sustainable outcomes. She has achieved this through roles on the National Advisory Panel of ACICIS Creative Arts and Design Professional Practicum, as a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Queensland Student Innovation and Entrepreneurs Alliance, and recently as DIA Queensland Branch Chair.
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Louise brings over twenty years’ experience in the design industry, specialising in brand strategy and digital product innovation, combined with strong management skills gained through the delivery of many complex enterprise level projects. She holds a Bachelor of Design, worked for a top ten creative agency in London and founded Spinifex design consultancy working with clients including; NSW Treasury Corporation, Qantas and Westfield.
Louise served as DIA NSW President and DIA Director (2007-2013), was appointed Graphics Principal at Minale Bryce Design Strategy and Global Brand Manager for engineering services firm Aurecon. In 2015 Louise consulted at National Australia Bank’s wealth division, leading the design team in marketing services and various business transformation projects.
Louise is active within the Sydney start up community cofounding Urban Data Design, a digital product innovation studio focussed on creating smarter, sustainable cities. Selected by City of Sydney Council, she won a place in the Tech Ready Women Accelerator program to develop a digital product that encourages active, engaged and healthy communities.
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Ryan is a registered architect with more than 20 years of industry experience.
Ryan’s experience as a designer has crossed the fields of architecture and interior design, industrial design, theatre and exhibition design. He has worked on projects as small as the design of a door handle up to the size of skyscrapers, across five continents.
In 2007, he won the National Interior Design Award for Emerging Practice, and in 2010 he merged his business with Byron George, creating Russell & George.
He is most well known for his interior designs, with notable works for Aésop, Ishizuka, Medibank, Society, Yakimono and also for himself with the creation of his on studio space the transformational, “Space & Time,” a design that questions the fundamental use of a space throughout the course of a 24hr period and through its lifetime.
Described as a strategist, futurist and entrepreneur in the industry, he now ventures into the fields of information technology, augmented and virtual reality and software development.
Ryan’s key strengths lie in the rapid assessment and development of innovative design solutions, and a sound understanding of the essential interface between design and commercial viability. He is a registered architect, Member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and the Design Institute of Australia.
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Michael has a background in corporate governance, board advisory services, and national risk and compliance. He is currently CEO at Quartomuro, providing fit-outs to retail, commercial, and industrial clients.
With over 30 years business experience, including 23 years in accounting, 5 years in specialist boutique advisory, and running a small family construction business, Michael’s experiences extend across construction, industrial markets, retail, FMCG, financial services, government, private sector, and PE-backed enterprises.
Michael has also worked with many non-profit corporates and is on the board of a leading Australian theatre company. Having led a number of large governance and board reform projects, Michael brings indispensable experience to the DIA Board.
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James is an intellectual property barrister who is also a qualified patent attorney. With 30 years’ experience in the law, James advises and deals with problems faced by all stakeholders in the creative sector, be they designers, makers, manufacturers, marketers, suppliers or sellers.
He has advised clients from many industry sectors, including product design, furniture design, lighting, architecture, machinery and car parts, electronics and solar technologies, software and manufacturing processes, clothing, footwear, containers and packaging.
James is interested in engagement with government and industry to ensure that policy is relevant to the sector and that laws and regulations are stream-lined and efficient.
He has lectured intellectual property short courses to industrial design students at RMIT and been an annual speaker to textile design students at RMIT.
James has previous directorship experience, having been a board member of Craft Victoria for 6 years (2008 - 2014) and a past Chairman of the Board of Craft Victoria.
An engaged strategic thinker, James has dedicated his career to creatives and is personally interested in good design as a problem-solving exercise and for the sheer beauty of it all.
DIA - Branches & Councils
The DIA has six branches that represent each state and territory. Each branch runs events and programs for members to help you in your professional life. A branch council (usually of between five to seven councillors) is elected by local branch members. Each state council organises for the needs and interests of their local design constituency.
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The ACT branch of the Design Institute of Australia is the voice of professional design in the ACT.
We are actively working with community, government, business, industry and education sectors within the industries of manufacturing, product, fashion, built environment, communications, business and many more.
Our vision is to raise awareness and increase the profile of the design profession within the community. We want to establish the ACT as an epicentre of design innovation and creativity - where the contribution of leading ACT designers is recognised.
Our aim is to equip designers with skills to enhance their professional lives, support designers with services and advice throughout their careers, connect designers with each other and with clients, customers and business, celebrate and promote Australian design excellence, inspire people to value design and designers to do their best work, advocate on behalf of designers to government, industry and the community.
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The NSW Branch of the Design Institute of Australia is the voice of professional design in New South Wales.
Our vision is to raise awareness and increase the profile of the design profession within the local community. We work together to enjoy our working lives, succeed in business and advance Australia’s reputation as a Design Nation.
Throughout the year we offer a full and dynamic program to the NSW design community, which includes a wide range of professional development events, seminars, social catch-ups and inspirational exclusives. We specifically design and organise this stream of activities to:
Equip designers with skills to enhance their professional lives;
Support designers with services and advice throughout their careers;
Connect designers with each other and with clients, customers and business;
Celebrate and promote Australian design excellence;
Inspire people to value design and designers to do their best work;
Advocate on behalf of designers to government, industry and the community
The DIA NSW State also has a thriving DIA Student Council, known as DIAS. The DIAS aims to promote and facilitate design passion between students, educators and practitoners of all design disciplines as well as providing students with events and resources to develop their knowledge and understanding of the design profession. DIAS events will facilitate opportunities for students and recent graduates to network with students from other disciplines and institutions and practising designers. The highlight events run by the DIAS throughout the year include an Interiors Event and Portfolio Reviews.
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The Queensland Branch of the Design Institute of Australia is the voice of professional design in Queensland.
We are actively working with community, government, business, industry and education sectors within the industries of manufacturing, product, fashion, built environment, communications, business and many more.
The Queensland branch is also highly active in the areas of education and socially responsible design. Education programs in Queensland are supported by preparing graduates to launch their careers and forge important networks and relationships with local and international design leaders.
Our vision is to raise awareness and increase the profile of the design profession within the community. We want to establish Queensland as an epicentre of design innovation and creativity - where the contribution of leading Queensland designers is recognised.
We believe in the power and potential of design and encourage everyone to share our vision.
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The SA/NT Branch of the Design Institute of Australia is the voice of professional design in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
We are actively working with community, government, business, industry and education sectors within the industries of manufacturing, product, fashion, built environment, communications, business and many more. The SA/NT branch aims to support our members, connecting them with important networks to cultivate beneficial business relationships. We also aim to equip and inspire our designers, both new and established, to help promote design excellence in our region.
Our vision is to raise awareness and increase the profile of the design profession within the community. We want to promote South Australian and the Northern Territory as a leading centre of design innovation and creativity - where the contribution of our local designers is celebrated.
We believe in the power and potential of design and encourage everyone to share our vision.
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Getting involved with the Victoria Tasmania Branch is a great way to cultivate community spirit, with the added benefit of meeting and networking with other local designers and design educators.
Victoria and Tasmania have a rich and diverse design culture. From large practices with expertise across design disciplines to medium size and boutique studios, our aim is to create events that foster strong links with our broad membership and provide opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD), connection with industry peers and the design education sector.
We actively work to raise the profile of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and our dynamic community of design professionals and emerging designers. Through the many events we champion and our links with state government, we continually strive to increase awareness of the economic advantages of good design from the individual client to the corporate client and beyond.
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The WA Branch of the Design Institute of Australia is the voice of professional design in Western Australia.
Our vision is to raise awareness and strengthen the profile of the design profession within the broader community.
We aim to establish WA as an epicentre of design innovation and creativity and to this end we actively work with community, government, business, industry and education sectors.
Our education programs include a Student Mixer, helping students forge essential relationships with leading WA design practitioners, along with a Student Portfolio Review, assisting emerging designers launch their careers.
The annual DIA WA Awards program, now in its fourteenth year encourages leadership and innovation in imaginative and sustainable design practice and has become an integral part of the Western Australian design landscape.
We believe in the power and potential of design and encourage all Western Australians to share in our vision.
DIA - National Advisory Council
The National Advisory Council comprises of two representatives from all DIA Branch Councils and is the representative body for the DIA membership. It provides strategic guidance, input and advice to the DIA Board.
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Gavin has long been an advocate of the DIA on a local, state, and national level. He chaired the Western Australian Branch for five years, and acted as a National Director for four years.
After sixteen years as a Senior Associate with HASSELL, Gavin now provides specialist design consultancy services. His recent collaborations include interior design and architecture, branding and marketing, photography, styling, and graphic design.
Gavin’s strong passion for design and its value to our culture has motivated him to work to promote the values of good design across the whole community. Gavin is passionate about recognising the changing landscape of design and looks forward contributing to the implementation of the DIA’s strategic vision.
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Jo-Ann is the Chief Executive Officer of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and a leading voice of Australian design. Since 2015, Jo-Ann has overseen new initiatives to enhance the value and competitive success of Australian designers. She is currently in the midst of leading an extensive organisational restructure and governance reform of the DIA.
Boasting extensive experience working in leadership roles, Jo-Ann most recently brought her skills to the Australian Design Alliance and the Standards Australia CS92 Clothing Sizes Committee. She is also the immediate past Executive Director and CEO of the Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA). With a career spanning business, education, and the not-for-profit sector, Jo-Ann is equipped with a 360 degree understanding of design through practice, education, and good business sense.
A vocal advocate for design for more than twenty years, Jo-Ann received an Honorary Fellowship in 2014 from the Design Institute of Australia in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the industry.
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Sarah-Jane, co-founding director and principal designer of interior design practice Arent&Pyke is one of Australia’s most recognised and awarded practitioners. Alongside Juliette Arent she has championed a signature interior style that is high concept driven while simultaneously delivering ease and joy through the skilful use of colour, texture and materiality.
With a preference for handcrafted objects and furniture pieces, Sarah-Jane works with a team of skilled artisans to deliver bespoke spaces which meld beauty with authenticity and are designed to endure.
With a Bachelor of Interior Architecture (UNSW) and more than 20 years in the business Sarah-Jane is a much respected and much-loved professional whose personal generosity of spirit is evident in the spaces she creates.
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Nila is a Sydney based designer focused on developing systems, products and objects that are delightful and intuitive to use. She has worked on a wide range of projects from award-winning consumer goods to internationally recognized public art installations, from design research and ideation through to prototyping, iterative refinement, testing and implementation. At the forefront of her practice she always focuses on a question: "Living in a world where people make thousands of product decisions per day and skim over millions of objects and platforms, How do we (designers) create products that are not only satisfying functional and aesthetic requirements, but uncover a meaningful experience. I believe by placing the honest human need at the core reasoning of a product we can create simple but more sustainable outcomes that last for a very long time; we design future proof solutions."
Nila has graduated from UNSW Art & Design, with a first class honours degree in object design. She has worked as a designer at one of Sydney’s leading product design consultancies, Vert Design Studio, with Clients ranging from entrepreneurs, start-ups, boutique brands and multinational organisations. After years of working at Australia’s best design consultancy, Nila has moved to the Australian micro-mobility start up, ZOOMO, as a Design Lead, to pursue her passion for sustainability in our urban environments, and to define and create mobility systems and solutions that are necessary for how we move in future. Nila is also currently lecturing at an undergraduate and postgraduate level at UNSW Art and Design, following her passion for sharing knowledge and fostering future designers.
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Dan is a professional and passionate graphic, user interface, user experience and multimedia designer. With twelve years' experience he has designed and delivered projects for Queensland State and Australian Government departments, software-as-a-service providers, not-for-profit organisations, small business and national retail franchises.
Dan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Computer-based Art, Design and Communication Studies) from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
He is a former DIA Graduate of the Year Award judge for the Visual Communication category. An active participant of design community events in South East Queensland and is also a member of the Australian Graphic Designer Association.
He seeks to forge stronger connections between industry and education. Empower students of all design disciplines through portfolio reviews, mentorship and passionate presentations. Dan has also ventured into the innovative circular economy sector where significant national wastage issues are beginning to be solved.
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Paul entered the design industry three years ago with a passion and drive for achieving client satisfaction. He is passionate about design education and mentoring the next generation of designers.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Microbiology & Biochemistry), a Master of Social Science (Political Economy), and a Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Commercial/Interior Design) from Torrens University (Billy Blue College of Design).
With a background in medical research, Paul embraces a multidisciplinary approach to design thinking, and values the combination of scientific and creative approaches to projects.
He currently works as an interior design academic with Griffith University and as an interior designer and design communicator. He has served on the DIA Queensland Branch Council since 2017.
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Dr Nathan James Crane is a design thinker who is passionate about elevating the impact design can have for people both within and outside of the design profession.
An award-winning writer and editor, Nathan has been published in titles including Artichoke, The Adelaide Review, FORM Journal, LUXURY, Educate and Marmalade, and is a regular judge for design industry awards programs. Initially trained as an interior designer, during this time he was a sessional tutor and lecturer at the University of South Australia, where he completed his PhD.
Driven by an informed curiosity, Nathan offers commentary on emerging themes, practices and celebrated studios within the Australian design community. As a recognised voice, Nathan utilises his design education to authentically communicate the complexity of projects to audiences with resonance.
Nathan has also worked as a design educator and academic for 10 years, where his teaching practice is grounded in fostering students’ understanding of the role design plays in shaping our experience of the world
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JMJ Interiors is a full-service interior design studio in Darwin led by Jan-marie Jaillei. Specialising in residential interiors. Jan-Marie’s clients today benefit from over 20 years of international design insights she acquired while living, working, and studying in many of the world’s capitals. She gained invaluable perspectives on cultures, design styles and trends whilst working in residential design in London, New York, and the Middle East. Jan-Marie has studied Interior Architecture at the prestigious London Inchbald School of Design, Interior Decoration at Chelsea’s KLC School of Design and holds a Diploma of Architectural Feng Shui from the renowned New York Institute of Art. Having spent a total of 27 years abroad, in 2015 Jan-Marie returned to Darwin where she spent her childhood.
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Karen Webster loves to make a difference! She is the Dean and Principal of the Melbourne campus of internationally acclaimed Design Institute ‘LCI’. Karen has been a design advocate and leading academic in Australian’s creative industries for over four decades. Before starting with the LCI network she held senior positions at RMIT University for over twenty years. Karen returned to an industry role as Design Director of globally awarded design company Buzz Products in 2017 before returning to her true love of fostering innovative and progressive design education at LCI Melbourne in June 2019. From 2005 to 2010 she was the Festival Director of the Melbourne Fashion Festival. She has served on numerous government and industry advisory boards across the creative industries including appointed as the first female Board Director of the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia in its 70 year history and was Chair of the Australian Fashion Council. In 2012 Karen was inducted into the Fashion Hall of Fame in Melbourne.
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David is a designer with over 30 years industry experience in a wide variety of disciplines. Following studies in Interior Design, David spent time working as in-house design in manufacturing and brand consulting before launching his own multi-disciplinary design practice, United Studio, in 2005.
Projects have included architecture, interiors (workplace, commercial, hospitality, retail and residential), wayfinding and signage, product and graphic design and have ranged in scale from bespoke furniture commissions to multi-national brand environment programs.
In addition to his design practice David is current Chair of the WA chapter of the Design Institute of Australia and is Co-founder and CEO of Markr Systems – a multi award winning tech-based solution in AR and Virtual Signage.
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Skeehan Studio is the design firm headed by founder Tom Skeehan, based in Canberra. It produces commercial furniture, light and product design, adopting a uniquely considered, material-minded process. Skeehan designs have been awarded and exhibited internationally. Tom is committed to education, his own learning and also activating knowledge of just how great good design can be. He regularly presents talks and events encouraging community participation, sharing of ideas and most of all enjoyment.
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Alisa brings a great deal of experience and passion to her role as a Director and owner in the national design practice, DJAS Architecture. Alisa delivers custom fit solutions through a focus on relationships; working closely with clients in a co-design and collaborative platform that enables the sharing of ideas and knowledge.
As a strong advocate for improving the design, quality and sustainability of indoor workplaces, Alisa was awarded a AV Jennings Churchill Fellowship. The Fellowship enabled her to research and continue her professional development in the design aspects related to indoor environment quality and healthy buildings. Alisa was awarded a second international fellowship through ISS Institute
Alisa’s practice is committed to encouraging the participation of women in the construction industry. She is an advocate for establishing flexible community friendly working arrangements within the industry and she supports a number of organisations in facilitating the development of positive, diverse and supportive work environments as a workplace designer and workplace change manager.
Alisa is also a Director of the Alastair Swayn Foundation and The Swayn, Gallery of Australian Design. Both organisations support and celebrate design through collaborations and national and international research grants.
Affiliations
As the peak body representing design in Australia, the DIA is a member of and participant in key Australasian and International bodies devoted to the recognition, success and growth of the design community.
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The Australian Design Alliance (ADA) is the alliance of peak professional organisations that represent designers across all aspects of Australia’s design industry. The DIA was a founding member of the ADA in 2010 and an active participant in its objectives.
The ADA’s goal is to promote the use of design as strategy to boost Australia’s productivity, sustainability and innovation. Key objectives of the ADA are to develop a National Design Policy linked to Australia’s innovation agenda: to advance education in design skills; and to develop case studies demonstrating how good design can contribute to improved economic growth.
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Established in 2004, CHASS promotes and provides advocacy services for the humanities, arts and social sciences (HASS) in Australia. Supporting more than 75 member organisations in their relationships with policy makers and the broader community, CHASS is an important network for knowledge and skills, and serves as a coordinating forum for teachers, researchers, professionals, practitioners and policy makers in the sector.
It provides a strong voice to the sector and helps members to contribute to public debate through programs for knowledge exchange and media awareness. The DIA is a member of CHASS.
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The Asia Pacific Space Designer’s Alliance [APSDA] is a collective of design associations throughout the East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania regions. The DIA represents Australian spatial designers in the Asia Pacific region through APSDA. The DIA is the current chair of APSDA and is hosting the biannual APSDA conference in Adelaide in September 2016.
APSDA objectives include:
To socialize and better understand and different cultures of its members
To exchange information and knowledge between members through networking
To enable us to work close and better to achieve a better solution for our design community in facing the free trade zone to come
APSDA was founded by the Chinese Society of Interior Designer [CSID], the Japanese Society of Commercial Designers [JCD] and Korean Society of Interior Designers [KOSID] in 1989 in Taipei, Taiwan.
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The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) was established in 2002 to develop a sustainable property industry in Australia and drive the adoption of green building practices through market-based solutions.
The Key Objectives of the GBCA are to drive the transition of the Australian property industry towards:
Sustainability by promoting green building programs, technologies, design practices and operations.
Integration of green building initiatives into mainstream design, construction and operation of buildings. The DIA has a Memorandum of Understanding with the GBCA.
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The International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers is the global voice and authority for professional Interior Architects/Designers.
IFI is the sole international federating body for Interior Architecture/Design organisations, and acts as a global forum for the exchange and development of knowledge and experience, in worldwide education, research and practice.
Often considered as the “United Nations” of the Interior Architecture/Design field, IFI connects the international community in order to further the impact, influence and application of the design of interiors, promote global social responsibility, and raise the status of the profession worldwide. The DIA represents Australian Interior Designers and Interior Architects globally through IFI.
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Previously The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, The World Design Organization [WDO] is a non-profit organisation that protects and promotes the interests of the profession of industrial design. The DIA represents Australian industrial designers globally through WDO
Founded in 1957, WDO serves as a unified voice of over 50 nations through which members can express their views and be heard on an international platform. Since its inception, WDO has continued to develop its wide-reaching network of students and professionals devoted to the recognition, success and growth of the industrial design community.
Together, professional associations, promotional societies, educational institutions, government bodies and corporations create a comprehensive and diverse system on the forefront of industrial design education and progress.
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Item descriptionico-D is a non-profit, non-partisan, member-based network that leads creatively by facilitating dialogue between design platforms including professional, educational and promotional categories. ico-D was founded in 1963 as Icograda - the International Council of Graphic Design Associations.
As an interface between the community of professional designers and the wider public, ico-D promotes design excellence, and upholds the importance of design as a key medium for social change.
The DIA represents Australian graphic designers and the broader design community globally through ico-D.
DIA - National Office
The DIA also maintains a small, part time staff headed by the Chief Executive Officer.
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CEO & Company Secretary
Jo-Ann is the Chief Executive Officer of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and a leading voice of Australian design. Since 2015, Jo-Ann has overseen new initiatives to enhance the value and competitive success of Australian designers. She is currently in the midst of leading an extensive organisational restructure and governance reform of the DIA.
Boasting extensive experience working in leadership roles, Jo-Ann most recently brought her skills to the Australian Design Alliance and the Standards Australia CS92 Clothing Sizes Committee. She is also the immediate past Executive Director and CEO of the Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA). With a career spanning business, education, and the not-for-profit sector, Jo-Ann is equipped with a 360 degree understanding of design through practice, education, and good business sense.
A vocal advocate for design for more than twenty years, Jo-Ann received an Honorary Fellowship in 2014 from the Design Institute of Australia in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the industry.
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As the Executive Assistant to the CEO, Karen is a highly organised professional with exemplary communication and interpersonal skills. She has had the opportunity to support MD’s, CEO’s, boards and teams to support and drive a culture of creativity, flexibility and success. Karen’s diverse range of experience spanning over 20 years, across array of industries has provided her with the insight into giving leaders the support they need.
Karen thrives on challenges, is an independent thinker for positive problem solving and prides herself on always pursuing her best by supporting others to chase theirs.
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Denise develops policy positions for the DIA on issues that matter to Australian designers. She has written submissions on the contribution of design to the economy, petitioned for IP legislation reform and highlighted the pandemic experiences of designers to government. She has two decades of experience in senior national roles covering the arts, disability and social policy and provides strategic advice through a boutique consultancy.
Denise was previously the Senior Advisor to the federal Minister for the Arts, design team lead in the taskforce that created the National Disability Insurance Scheme and director of research and evaluation policy for the Department of Social Services. She has a Masters degree in Public Policy from the Australian National University and is currently enrolled at the University of Melbourne.
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community@design.org.au
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