Ian Edgar FDIA
Industrial Designer Ian Edgar’s contribution to the advancement of Australian design, the design industry and designers throughout his 56-year career has been prolific.
He initially completed a Cadet Automotive Stylist with British Motor Corporation in Sydney (1957-1959), before working at Kriesler in product design of radio, television receivers and a corporate identity program (1959-1962). A substantial 24-years with Philips Industries followed (1962-1986), during which Ian progressed from: Chief Industrial Designer for Philips Consumer Products Group; Assistant to Chief Industrial Designer Philips Industrial Holdings 1972 with a focus on the design of major domestic appliances; and in 1975 his appointment to Group Chief Industrial Designer and Manager of Central Industrial Design Division – with responsibility for management of all Industrial Design activity within Philips Australia Group of companies. Along the journey Ian’s involvement in the Outside Broadcast Van for New Zealand Broadcast Commission set a new standard of comfort and ergonomics. Ian garnered extensive international experience, including a term at the Philips Concern Industrial Design Centre in The Netherlands during the mid ‘70s. In 1986 Ian established Corporate Industrial Design Australia (CIDA), followed by CADABILITY 3D CAD Virtual Design Bureau in 1989 and RIJED PTY Ltd trading as CIDA Design in 1992.
Alongside his professional schedule, Ian has generously given of his time to champion Australian design and designers both internationally and at Government level. He has lectured and written extensively, spoken at the ICSID World Congress and numerous other conferences, forums and the like, served as a delegate to Government and as an Australian Design Award Panel judge. Ian is a former member of the executive Industrial Design Institute of Australia (IDIA now DIA), NSW, SA and Victoria chapters 1968-1985; President Victorian Chapter and Federal Vice President of IDIA 1976-1980; and Vice President Vic Chapter 1980-1982. He is a founding member of the DIA Industrial Design Practitioners Group.
Ian’s innovative thinking is reflected in the various award titles to his credit. These include:
ABC New Inventor week winner ‘Peg-it’ Tent Tool (2010)
Australian Design Award, Design of the Year, Billi Purified Boiling and Chilled Drinking Water System (1995)
Industrial Design Council of Australia – Australia Design and Design Selection Awards.
Prince Philip Prize – Radioisotope Analysis Unit (1973) and Large Screen Stereo Colour Television Receiver Range (1984).
