Practice Notes
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The DIA has a comprehensive reference set of Practice Notes to assist DIA designer members in their professional practice.
The Practice Notes cover areas such as contracts, tendering, administration, the legal business environment, fees, salaries, intellectual property and much more.
A complete set of Practice Notes is provided as a member benefit to MDIA members. Other practitioners can contact the DIA to purchase these materials.
DIA General members can download a discipline-specific Study Set of Practice Notes and the Summary Fee & Salary Practice Note.
Complete sets and individual DIA Practice Notes are available for purchase.
Practice Notes marked ’General’ are suitable for any design discipline while those that indicate a specific discipline generally contain terminology and situations specific to that discipline. The principles and methods discussed are often adaptable to other disciplines.
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We are looking for new ways to engage with our members & connect them to relevant resources that aid their careers in design.
To assist with this process we have assembled a working group to outline the way forward. If you would like to be involved or find out more please contact us.
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Use of Practice Notes guidelines can be downloaded here.
Understanding the ban on gas in Victoria
At the start of 2024 a Gas Substitution Roadmap (GSR) was launched in Victoria to guide the state towards achieving net-zero emissions. The roadmap includes changes to planning and building regulations, including raising standards for new homes and commercial buildings by 2025.
Superannuation
Superannuation is one of those topics most of us avoid. But the choices you make about super during your working life can make a big difference to your retirement. This handy guide takes you through all the superannuation basics, such as what the contribution rules are and how to decipher the jargon, so you don't need to become a financial expert to start taking charge of your money.
Intellectual Property for Designers
The simplest definition of Intellectual Property (IP) is a productive new idea. The word ‘productive’ means that the idea is commercially applied. The word ‘new’ is crucial – you must prove that you are the first to create your idea. These concepts underpin all the different types of IP rights. The most commonly used IP protection for designers are design rights.
Fees and Services
Fee types and fee scheduling used in consulting design including some sample forms for determining and communicating fees.
Contract Guidelines
General outline of designer and client responsibilities in relation to contracts and the preparation of briefs. Use as a checklist when formulating contracts or price submissions.
Confidentiality Agreement
From time to time clients may require you to sign a form to control the disclosure of commercially sensitive information during business transactions. The following is an example of a form used by clients. Alternatively, there may be circumstances when you may require your subcontractors to sign such a form.
Exhibiting Your Design
Developing your design is just one part of a designer's work in the industry. Presenting your ideas, concepts, or finished products is the next step in finding an audience and, ultimately, a market for your work as a practising professional.
Generative AI and AGI – Artificial General Intelligence
The DIA's Generative AI and AGI – Artificial General Intelligence Practice Note is a must-read for all designers and creative industry executives and a critical Resource for all design organisations.
Staff performance
This Practice Note builds on contemporary approaches to positive workplace culture, and includes advice for sole traders on making time for reflection and learning, and the benefits for everyone of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the DIA’s Accredited Designer™ program.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
This Practice Note unpacks the Goods and Services Tax to step you through how to handle charging clients, claim deductions and set up the right account for your business with the tax office.
Setting up a Design Practice
This Practice Note outlines the basics of establishing a new design business, from choosing the right legal structure to meeting your tax and workplace safety responsibilities.
Marketing & Communications for Designers
This Practice Note provides a comprehensive guide to developing and implementing an effective marketing and communications strategy for your design business, whatever your specialisation or budget.
Social Media for Designers
This Practice Note is full of expert advice for harnessing the power of social media to build a successful design business, starting with the basics of identifying your target audience and covering everything you need to know to get your messages right, and what to do when it all goes wrong.
Supply Chain Transparency
This Practice Note provides a thorough explanation of the concept of supply chain transparency, how it applies to designers and best practice for reporting to clients.
Free Pitching and Design Competitions
This Practice Note outlines the DIA's policy on recognising the value of creative work - design should not be provided for free - and sets out conditions to ensure that design competitions are conducted fairly. It also outlines the DIA's policy on student internships and graduate placements, and provides a suggested reply to requests for free pitching.
Gender Equality
The DIA recognises the enduring inequality experienced by cis gender and trans women, non-binary and feminine-identifying people. This Practice Note is an invitation for everyone in the design community to consider what changes they could make to help build gender equality in their workplace.