Association of Indian Design Industry

The Association of Indian Design Industry, also known by its acronym AIDI is a professional not-for-profit body for designers and design organizations in India. It is an official national representative of all interest groups concerned with Design in India.

Historical Background

The design profession has formally existed in India since 1962. The idea of a professional body to represent the design fraternity was mooted in the 1980's but previous attempts to establish such an association did not take off. In the early 2000's the profession had gained wider recognition and deeper respect in both business and society. In 2005, some of the leading industrial design professionals in India discussed the idea of a body that would represent their interests to industry. Notably, Businessworld had also expressed a need for a body independent from its then partner, design institute NID, for its annual design excellence awards. AIDI was formed the same year despite lack of significant support from all corners of the industrial design community in India.

Change of Name and Charter

AIDI was originally an acronym for Association of Industrial Designers of India, and was started to be a cohesive representative of the body of industrial designers in India. At that time other design disciplines had representation in other bodies. In 2007, AIDI felt that it had a greater role to play in the implementation of the National Design Policy, and that was only possible if it was more inclusive of all other disciplines of Design in India. The name was changed to Association of Indian Design Industry to reflect its new role and Charter. In December 2007, it organized the first gathering of designers from all over India, in Bangalore, to create an action plan for implementation of the National Design Policy.

Vision and Mission

From the AIDI website, AIDI’s primary goal is to make design a pivotal part of India’s economy. It's current activities include, * Influencing policy to positively impact the design industry * Conducting awareness programs in educational institutions and businesses to promote the value of design * Making publicity materials available to specific audiences * Organizing exhibitions and events in domestic as well as international markets * Publishing critical reports and conducting peer assessments to raise the bar on quality * Maintaining updated databases of member designers and potential projects * Sponsoring events, promotions, seminars and professional meets to facilitate the sharing of expertise

Membership and Other Services

AIDI and its local chapters provide services to their members, in the form of job lists, member directories (sold to corporations for a Fee), discounts on conferences and exhibitions, and workshops, demonstrations, and lectures from leading lights in the profession.

External links

* [http://www.aidionline.org/ AIDI website]