DIA Code of Conduct

Preamble

The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) is the professional body for Australian designers. The DIA’s purpose as outlined in the first of the thirteen objects of the DIA Constitution is to promote, support and protect the character, status and interests of persons engaged in Design and Associated Professions.

Application

This Code of Conduct (the Code) is issued by the DIA for the compliance of all its members participating in whatever capacity they work or practice as designers.

DIA members agree to be bound by the Code. To behave ethically and honestly, with integrity in their dealings as a professional designer with clients, the community and their colleagues. Members who do not comply with the Code of Conduct may be expelled from the DIA under the DIA Constitution.

The Code is based on the Model Code of Professional Conduct for Designers which has been accepted by members of the following bodies, World Design Organisation (WDO), International Federation of Interior Designers (IFI), International Council of Design (IcoD).

1. The designer's responsibility to the community

1.1 Accept a professional obligation to uphold design industry standards and aspire at all times to deliver design excellence.
1.2 Act in keeping with the honour and dignity of the profession and uphold the good reputation of the DIA.
1.3 State design qualifications and experience accurately.
1.4 Do not take a position in which personal interests’ conflict with professional duty.
1.5 Do not engage in any false, misleading, or deceptive conduct or make any false, misleading or deceptive statements and do not take credit for others’ work.
1.6 Consider the effect of the work produced and endeavour, that it may cause as little harm as possible either directly or indirectly to the ecology or environment. Wherever possible integrate and or encourage the conservation of energy and water and principals of circulatory.
1.7 Be familiar with and follow the Practice Notes and Policies of the DIA, including appropriate conduct concerning free-pitching, consulting for a client and a project and false claims and other relevant issues for the design professions which are published and updated by the DIA from time to time.

2. The designer's responsibility to the client

2.1 Act in the client’s interests in keeping with the designer’s professional duties.
2.2 State clearly to the client the scope of the work to be carried out and the fees and/or charges to be paid or the basis on which they will be calculated including any terms and conditions before accepting and commencing an assignment.
2.3 Be transparent and ethical with a client in advance about a) any personal or professional benefit to the designer which may arise from their recommendations and b) a connection to any business which may benefit from the designer’s recommendations.
2.4 Maintain confidentiality of a client’s intentions, production methods and business organisation and do not divulge that information and any other confidential information without the consent of the client, except where it is required to complete the brief, is public knowledge or on public record or can reasonably be expected to already be public knowledge. Accept responsibility for ensuring that all members of staff are similarly bound to confidentiality.
2.5 Do not work simultaneously on assignments which are in direct competition without informing the clients or employers concerned, except in specific cases where it is already known and customary for the designer to work at the same time for various competitors.
2.6 Do not accept payment, directly or indirectly or in any form, for a referral or recommendation of a designer to a client or potential client.

3. The designer's responsibility to other designers

3.1 Do not knowingly copy the work of another designer nor accept instructions from a client which knowingly involve plagiarism.
3.2 Do not attempt, directly or indirectly, to cause another designer who has a firm commitment with a client in relation to a particular project to lose that firm commitment.
3.3 Be fair in criticism and do not act maliciously to denigrate the work or reputation of another designer.