An overview of World Design Organization (WDO)

History, and Evolution

Established in 1957, the World Design Organization or WDO, is a global non-profit organisation that promotes the use of design for the betterment of society. Previously WDO was known as the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) but in 2017, it was rebranded as the World Design Organization so it can manifest a broader extension of design disciplines outside industrial design.

The key aim of WDO is to promote design as a medium to drive economic, social, cultural, and environmental development. The WDO enables designers, design organisations, educators, and other stakeholders globally to come together to collaborate and exchange their skills, knowledge and ideas. It also allows to create such platforms where participants can conduct dialogues, research, and actions on different design-related issues and challenges.

The WDO is responsible for organising and supporting initiatives, programs, and events that endorse the value of design. The organisation also continuously involves activities such as conferences, exhibitions, workshops, and competitions to showcase the impact of design and encourage innovation.

Additionally, the WDO offers resources and support for professional growth, networking, and knowledge exchange among its members. It sets the standards and guidelines for design practice, ethics, and education to ensure the highest professionalism and excellence in design.

The World Design Organization plays a major part in boosting design thinking and practice globally, which promotes the role of design in creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and rich future.

Objectives and Mission:

The WDO’s primary mission is to promote design as a driver of positive change. Its objectives include:

• Promoting design excellence.
• Facilitating the interchange of knowledge and promoting networking.
• Backing-up design education.
• Creating sustainable and ethical design practices.

The World Design Organization works as a global advocate for design, emphasising its crucial role in addressing complex societal challenges.

Activities and Programs

1. World Design Capital (WDC):

The WDC designation is a periodic initiative identifying cities that effectively leverage design to enhance their social, economic, and cultural development. Through the WDC program, the WDO showcases the transformative power of design, inspires collaboration, and creates platforms for knowledge sharing among participating cities.

1. World Design Talks (WDT):

WDT is a platform for renowned design professionals, thought leaders and stakeholders to share insights, discuss emerging trends, and explore the impact of design in various contexts. These talks stimulate critical discussions and inspire the global design community to drive positive change.

1. 

   World Industrial Design Day (WIDD):

Celebrated annually on June 29th, WIDD aims to raise awareness about the importance of design in everyday life. This event creates a platform for designers to employ with the public, fostering dialogue and understanding about design’s influence on society.

4. 

   International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA):

The World Design Organization conducts the prestigious International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). The IDEA competition recognizes and celebrates outstanding and innovative design across various disciplines, including product design, communication design, and sustainability design. Winning an IDEA award is considered a major achievement in the design community.

Research and Advocacy:

The WDO actively engages in research and advocacy to promote design as a catalyst for sustainable development. It collaborates with international organisations, governments, and industry partners to influence policies, shape design standards, and drive innovation.

Global Impact:

The WDO’s influence extends globally through its partnerships and collaborations. The organisation facilitates knowledge exchange, fosters innovation, and advocates for design-driven solutions to societal challenges by connecting designers, educators, policymakers, and businesses. The WDO focuses on highlighting the significance of design in that it acknowledges global challenges such as sustainability, health, education, increased public awareness, and poverty reduction. They advocate for the application of design thinking and human-centred design principles to tackle these issues effectively.

Future Directions and Challenges:

As the WDO moves forward, it faces several challenges and opportunities. These include adapting to the evolving nature of design, embracing technological advancements, fostering greater inclusivity, addressing sustainability issues, and leveraging design to tackle complex global problems such as climate change and social inequality. By actively addressing these challenges, the WDO can strengthen its impact and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.

Design for Sustainability:

The World Design Organization aggressively encourages sustainable design practices and inspires designers to consider the environmental impact of their creations. They support initiatives integrating sustainability principles into the design process, aiming to minimise waste, reduce energy consumption, and promote responsible production methods.

Design for Policy:

The World Design Organization actively engages with policymakers and government agencies to promote design integration in policy-making processes. WDO directly endorses the role of design in highlighting and acknowledging complex societal challenges and advocates for the inclusion of design expertise in decision-making at local, national, and international levels.

Conclusion:

The World Design Organization is pivotal in promoting design as a force for positive change. Through its diverse programs and activities, the WDO fosters collaboration, advocates for design excellence, and drives global innovation. As the world faces complex challenges, the organisation’s comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach positions it to lead design-driven solutions that address societal, environmental, and economic issues.

WDO has the potential to design a more sustainable and unbiased world by harnessing the collective power of the global design community.

References:

1. World Design Organization (no date) WDO Home New Comments. Available at: https://wdo.org/ (Accessed: 22 July 2023). 
2. World Design Organization (2023) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Design_Organization (Accessed: 22 July 2023). 

3.