The Top Professional Associations For Interior Designers and How They Add Value
Original photography posted at Unsplash by Leon.
Original article posted at Design Manager by Lindsay Paoli.
Whether you’re a student or seasoned professional, joining interior design associations is a great way to legitimize your business, build a deeper network of quality contacts, and to stay informed on how the interior design community is evolving with the times.
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is the most prominent association in the interior design industry and welcomes everyone, whether you’re an interior architect, materials specialist/decorator, student, or vendor.
Why Join ASID:
Joining ASID gives automatic credibility to your interior design business, and for many vendors, counts as a qualification to receive the all-important trade accounts and accompanying designer discounts.
American Institute of Architecture (AIA)
The American Institute of Architecture (AIA) is an organization that represents the highest standard of professionalism within the industry for architects, including interior architects. The organization is headquartered in Washington D.C. and works with the government on its goals of professional advocacy and community redevelopment.
Why Join AIA:
The AIA offers its members education, preparation for licensing, business administration support, and discounts. It also hosts a number of events throughout the year, offering networking opportunities for members.
Interior Design Society (IDS)
The Interior Design Society (IDS) is the largest association dedicated to residential interior design. The IDS national headquarters is located in High Point, N.C., the international furniture capital, and home to the High Point Markets.
Why Join IDS:
It has 2,000 members that enjoy the mark of professionalism clients look for in a residential interior designer. Jason Clifton of Bauer/Clifton Interiors, National President of IDS, says, “we are a close-knit community of diverse individuals that are committed to the business development of interior design entrepreneurs. The organization creates and delivers business tools while serving as a means to expand platforms at the chapter level and the national level.”
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is another widely recognized organization within the interior design community that is focused on serving the commercial interior design sector.
Why Join IIDA:
IIDA has 12,000 members practicing across more than 30 chapters around the world, making it a leading networking resource for designers seeking to build relationships outside of the United States.
National Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ)
The Council for Interior Design Qualification (CDIQ, or commonly referred to as NCIDQ) administers the industry’s gold standard, legally recognized (and in some states mandatory) credentials for interior design that includes architecture.
How To Get the NCIDQ:
The council administers a series of three exams, the IDFX, IDPX, and the Practicum Exam, which make up the NCIDQ license. Each exam requires a certain level of education and years of work experience that step up in criteria with each exam.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the leading association for green building practices. and the organization that established and oversees the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems.
Everyone working towards Green:
The organization includes interior designers, real estate professionals, governments, developers, contractors, architects, engineers, educators, and companies. Membership with the USGBC offers education and training towards LEED professional credentialing, discounts on LEED and Greenbuild events, and the most direct access to professionals dedicated to sustainable building.