International Design Education Association (IDEA)
The International Design Education Association (IDEA) aims to encourage participation by design industry professionals in the education process, thus assisting educators and students by providing access to industry support.
IDEA is administered by a committee made up of educators, industry professionals and students, whose enthusiastic contribution of their time and services ensures the success of IDEA events. IDEA’s regular meetings are open to students and professionals who would like to contribute.
Participation and support for IDEA and its objectives has been given by such entities as Different, Apple Computer, IBM, Adobe, Macromedia, Photodisc, Sydney Institute of Technology (TAFE), University of Western Sydney, KvB College and design teachers and students.
IDEA events have featured renowned designer, David Carson (New York), Russell Brown (Senior Creative Director at Adobe System in US), and a host of professionals from the fields of design, photography, printing and associated industries.
In 1999 IDEA, in association with IdN, the digital designers’ magazine, co-ordinated entries and judging of the inaugural School Entry Section of the prestigious 4th Biennial IdN Design Awards for 1999.
A highlight of the IDEA calendar since 1998 has been the 4 Day Thing, hosted by SIT Design Centre, Enmore from 1998 to 2000. This intensive design workshop sees up to 80 students putting their skills into practice to fulfil design briefs, over the four day period, for client charities, at no charge. The event is underpinned by the support and sponsorship of industry bodies, as well as educators and leading design professionals.
Charity beneficiaries of the 4 Day Thing have included
- the Exodus Foundation
- Children’s Hospital at Westmead
- Barnardo’s Australia
- Australian Quadriplegic Association
- Australian Red Cross
- Humour Foundation--the Clown Doctors
- the Australian Cancer Council
- the Breast Cancer Institute
- CanTeen
- the Humane Society
- the Guide Dog Association
- Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association
- Reach Out
- Stepping Stone
- Kendall House
- Oasis
- UNICEF
- the Epilepsy Association
- Friends of the Alexandria Library
- the RSPCA
- Breast Health Link
- Matthew Talbot Hostel
- Marine Discovery Centre
In 2001 for the first time the event was taken into a corporate environment by being hosted at IBM in the eBusiness Innovation Center at Pyrmont. The design workshop saw students from participating design institutions come together to fulfill project briefs from 4 Charities. These briefs focused on internet and new media and again the students were mentored by professionals from the design industry and educational institutions.
Creating a ‘real’ industry experience has proved so successful that IDEA has continued this format. In 2002 the 4 Day Thing was kindly hosted in commercial space provided by Different in Neutral Bay. Different is an interactive agency that envisions, designs and builds powerful user experiences in the digital environment. They engage with large corporate clients, deploying the “Human Centered Design’ methodology when developing a solution.
We would welcome your involvement. If you feel you would benefit from participating in this event, please contact Julie Yarnold via juliey@rivernet.com.au, or 0417 464 756, or Ric Holland via ric.holland@extreme.com.au, or 0411 737 478 to discuss how your involvement can benefit your organisation, and the up and coming designers, marketers and information architects of tomorrow.
IDEA aims to continue its mission to provide design students with the opportunity to add further strength and quality to their educational experience, with the benefits ultimately flowing on to the design, marketing and advertising industries.