Standards Australia will transfer ownership of the Australian International Design Awards to a newly established organisation, Good Design Australia.

Good Design Australia, a new design promotion organisation established by Brandon Gien of Standards Australia, will now be custodian of the Australian International Design Awards (AIDA).

Good Design Australia consists of Gien, with the support of AIDA Program Director Stephanie Pemberton. Between them the two have 22 years’ experience of running the AIDA program.

The organisation’s patron will be His Excellency, Michael Bryce.

An advisory committee – the Good Design Council – has been set up specifically to guide Good Design Australia. The Council will consist of key stakeholders in business and design.

Standards Australia will maintain their strong connection to the design industry by becoming AIDA’s Principal Sponsor.

The decision arose from extensive consumer research and a new business plan implemented to raise AIDA’s brand awareness.

“This new environment will ensure that the AIDA program is positioned to attract the investment it requires to implement the business plan that called for a greater awareness of the AIDA brand among consumers,” said Gien.

“The strategy is to create an even greater demand for good design among Australian consumers and that this demand will drive businesses to invest in professional design to further differentiate their products and services.”

Dyson Airblade at the 50th anniversary of AIDA

Good Design Australia and the Good Design Council will be looking into new areas and potential categories for AIDA over the next few years, such as Design Strategy, Concept Design and Service Design.

“The core focus of the Awards has been on Industrial Design and this will not change,” said Gien. “However, we will need to better reflect the changing environment design now operates within.”

“We will be working with the design community to provide a framework that leads to the continual improvement, competitiveness and motivation of businesses that invest in good design in Australia and internationally.”