History

Initially known as the Design Industries Association of Australia, the Institute dates back to 1939, and the then Society of Designers for Industry, in circa 1947. A decade later, in 1958, the Industrial Design Institute of Australia in Melbourne was incorporated. 

Bill Gillam, a professional Association Manager, employed by the Victorian Employers’ Federation, was appointed the first Federal Executive Secretary of the Institute. On his advice, the Memorandum and Articles of the Institute were completely redrafted together with Federal Council By-Laws, setting out a model Constitution governing the administration of Chapters.

A Federal financing system was implemented, and a national membership register was established based on records supplied by the original Chapters, operating very informally. The Institute was already a member of ICSID, the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design.

In 1982, the organisation’s name was changed to the Design Institute of Australia. It was also granted membership of the International Federation of Interior Designers (IFI).  

The Design Institute of Australia, Society of Interior Designers of Australia (SIDA) and the Australian Textile Design Association (ATDA) were amalgamated in 1998. The DIA became a Federal body, and Chapters were replaced with Branch Councils. 

DIA is a crucial participant in Australasian and International bodies devoted to the design community’s recognition, success, and growth, and the first to represent Australian designers amongst luminary organisations, including the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI), ICSID/World Design Organisation (WDO), and the International Council of Design (ico-D).