International Interior Design Association

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is a professional networking and educational association of more than 13,000 members in ten (10) specialty forums, and twenty-nine (29) chapters around the world. IIDA advocates for interior design excellence, disseminates industry information, nurtures a global interior design community, maintains educational standards and responds to trends in business and design.

History

IIDA was founded in 1994 as the result of a merger of the Institute of Business Designers (IBD); the International Society of Interior Designers (ISID); and the Council of Federal Interior Designers (CFID). The merger created an international association with a united mission that represents interior designers worldwide. Since that date, IIDA has worked to convene communities of interior designers across regions and specialties representing the interests of the entire community.

Membership

There are four levels of membership: Professional, Associate, Affiliate and Student.

Professional members are active interior design professionals or design educators. They have either passed the NCIDQ exam or are registered architects.

Associate members are active interior design professionals or design educators who have met the requirements of the NCIDQ but have not yet taken the exam.

Affiliate members are actively engaged in a related field such as landscape architecture or lighting design.

Students with a minimum of two years coursework are welcome to join IIDA at reduced fees.

Specialty Forums

Forums offer a venue for discussion and dissemination of information on trends, problem-solving strategies and perspectives on current or developing areas of design practice. Each forum promotes awareness among clients of the value of the profession. The forums also provide members with the chance to work directly with other design professionals in similar fields and offer networking opportunities along with access to exclusive resources. The nine forums are:

Publications

All members receive a copy of the quarterly journal, Perspective. Articles highlight exceptional work in all design practice areas.

The organization also publishes a biweekly newsletter, DesignMatters, that covers industry news and organization activities including industry events, networking opportunities and chapter news.

As part of its advocacy activities, IIDA tracks and promotes legislation that protects the interior design profession. The legislative newsletter, GRAction, spotlights governmental action across the nation.

Student Members receive Custom a quarterly e-newsletter, which alerts them to industry trends, competitions and IIDA announcements.

Research and Career Services

A Knowledge Center on the organization's web site includes a Calendar of Events, a listing of Continuing Education courses and a database of research items pertinent to the interior design profession.

The IIDA website also includes a Career Center that connects the design community with qualified professionals.

The Foundation

The foundation is a not-for-profit (501c3), philanthropic organization whose primary mission is to advance interior design through education, research, and knowledge to benefit IIDA and the interior design profession. Under the guidance of its Board of Trustees, the foundation works in collaboration with IIDA to support the strategic plan of the association.

Chapters

There are 29 chapters located around the world.

Region 1: Eastern Pacific

Region 2: Southwest US

Region 3 : Northwest US

Region 4: Central US

Region 5: South Central US

Region 6: Southeast US

Region 7: Northeast US

Region 8: Mexico/Central & South Americas

See also