Thursday, Day 5 - Day 1 of 24th Icograda General Assembly.
WOW, it just keeps getting more overwhelming. I realize that I’m commenting on Day 5 and my last entry shows day 2 (Day 1 of the IDA Conference.) Every day is simply so packed with conversations that even when I finish a conference I end up talking with designers from around the world and too exhausted when I return to type.
This morning I woke up at 430am to try and get at least a day of notes caught up. Since today, Thursday, was the first of two days of the 24th Icograda General Assembly I’ll just start go from here for now. Sorry for hoping around.

After catching up outside the conference room in the morning over a coffee with Jim Hudson, GDC National President, Philippe Lamarre, President Quebec Society of Graphic Designers (SGDQ) I quickly took my ‘observer’ seat to the side of the delegates area. Then suddenly Robert L. Peters, GDC Fellow Member, Icograda Past President (2001-2003), 2009 Icograda Presidents Award recipient and founding executive of this years International Design Alliance, moved chairs to come sit beside me. I can’t express how honoured I felt and how humbled and amazing my experience yesterday became because of his vast knowledge of Icograda and design influences from around the world. Robert spent the day openly sharing backgrounds on who various people were and their significance in design history. Introductions to Mervyn Kurlansky, this years Icograda Presidents Award recipient and http://www.icograda.org/programmes/awards/articles1920.htm and one of the founding members of Pentagram. Later in the day he pointed out Ken Kato who he called “Australia’s Milton Glaser.”
Robert would also reflect on past and present political issues, both design and governmentally related when it came to personal agendas, those of various countries, and the dynamics of a global Executive Board. Amazing. At one point he suggested one should not be blind to the fact that even the Secret Service has had a presence in these General Assemblies over its past 48 year history.
I could go on with the stories and insights provide by Robert but I think I will simply convince him (I hope I already have) to come back to Vancouver and let him share it with our design community in person! And since I’m already running out of time again I will get back to the start of the Assembly.
9am and VP Iva Babaja (Zagreb, Croatia) welcomed all delegates and observers and eloquently and yet firmly stated the process and protocols that would be expected to be followed. A short quip of humor came when she pointed out Professional member issues would be voted on using the Red card, or as she clarified “is actually magenta.” She then invited all Delegates and observers to stand up and acknowledged their name, country and design affiliation. 67 countries, 129 cities, 224 member associations and 90 educational institutions represent Icograda.
Ms Babaja then introduced President Russell Kennedy for his welcome message. Mr. Kennedy started by reflecting on the efforts over the past 2 years on their theme of “Unity, Advocacy and Engagement.” Summarizing events, successes and challenges. Closing by calling everyone in the room “a group of friends.”
General formalities continued and just before the first break there was ratification of new members and resignation/removal of others since General Assembly 23. Most noticeable to me, AIGA was removed. Robert explained to me they had selfish intentions and “took their marbles and went home.” Robert’s collaborative and positive unifying perspectives underlie all his commentary. He would often voice his thoughts to the board and the delegates “suggesting they consider” his observation or concerns when issues and policies were discussed. He would always whisper to me before or after how issues should be in the best interest of the ongoing security and stability of Icograda’s members.
Following the break Candidates for the 2011-2013 Executive Board were announced. Various candidates publicly presented their case for election and again I was very impressed with Iva Babaja’s confident collaborative and informed statements for the position of Secretary General. Omar Vulpinari, one of two President Elects, suggested while presenting his case “evolution is uncertain by nature, but relevant in a high paced world.” It was great to see at least two people vying for every position.
Lunch followed during which I sat with Tyra von Zweigbergk, the Vice President of Sweden’s design society whom I met days earlier during the conference. Our table also consisted of Jim Hudson (GDC President), Philippe Lamarre (SGDQ President), Lionel Gadoury (RGD President), Albert Ng (founding member of RGD Ontario) and Peter Florentozos (National Director DIA (Australia’s design association) and founding member of AGDA.) And it wasn’t long until, at times heated, debate began over Certification, the issues around divided Canadian design associations, adoption of certification, testing, it’s value perceptions to the design community, the business community and the world design community as a whole. I have plans to discuss this more with both Lionel and Peter over the next 2 days outside of the GA.

After lunch among other formalities there were discussions and votes around Articles of Incorporation and ByLaw revisions. Most significantly the “descriptive” changes of Icograda’s definition. Icograda WAS describe as the International Council of Graphic Design Associations. Debates included the brand equity of the name itself but the more dated descriptor of “graphic design” versus “communication deign.” Some delegates also argued for “visual communications.” In the end it was passed by approx 2/3 majority to leave the name Icograda and support the name by calling it the International Council of Communication Design.
I would suggest there is now a clear change from what I would consider as a traditional older generation of designers who have grown up trying to make a mark for “graphic design” versus a new generation seeing the influences of a multi disciplinary design world and looking towards our industry as “communication design.” Having grown up right in the middle I prefer where we are going - forward.
Other related issues were the inclusion of a new membership category called “Cities” this was to encourage inclusion of a city (specifically with a population of over 1 million) that promoted the value of design. Due to issues around non designers representing the ‘city’ membership possibly being elected to the board, and around smaller populated cities being excluded it was unanimously voted down.
Following the afternoon break, Icograda Treasurer and Canada’s own David Berman presented Icograda’s Sustainability Standards initiative. David outlined the working process of how Icograda’s “S Number” will allow designers to document, manage, measure “and celebrate” online the ’sustainability’ of their projects based on the four pillars of social, cultural, financial and environmental sustainability. Robert Peters was also integral in this development and I look forward to exploring the functionality more as it evolves and is ready for implementation. But as David said, “we just need to start” and set the example.
Mr Russell Kennedy then presented the background on a few other major initiatives over the last year including the World Design Survey and http://www.icograda.org/media/releases/articles1895
INDIGO and http://www.indigodesignnetwork.org/ which acknowledges and preserves indigenous design cultures. This is yet another project Robert Peters was instrumental in forming with Mr Kennedy. Robert suggested to me initiatives like this don’t get innovated in the Assemblies, they come to be after hours over beer. And Robert and Russell were both passionate to make this happen, as Mr Kennedy transitions into Past President of Icograda today he will take on the Co-Chair role of Indigo for the next 2 years.
The next issue was Amendments to best practices documents and I wanted to acknowledge GDCBC Ethic Chair, Matt Warburton, for his involvement in the 8 person international committee helping to reshape these issues including the Speculative Practices definitions for Icograda.
Mr. Kennedy then came back to announce the ongoing partnerships with The Living Principles, CUMULUS and UNESCO
The long days events ended with a presentation by the members of the 2013 IDA Congress host city of Istanbul, Turkey. Members also acknowledged sadness to the country of Turkey currently dealing with the devastation due to the earthquakes.
In conclusion, this will be one of the most memorable days (and week) of my design career. I can’t thank Robert L. Peters enough for his mentoring and friendship today and I can only hope to return to Vancouver, BC, and Canada and impart some of this knowledge to the rest of our GDC membership. One observation I can’t let go unmentioned and in stark contrast to the my 3 previous GDC National AGM’s is absolutely NO open laptops, no discussion of Skyping in missing members or chatting agendas, no use of smartphones and Twitter or social media channels. From the top of the Executive Board through to every delegate and observer in the room the phones and laptops were away, people were present and engaged. I sensed discussions and issues were strategized before the GA and any concerns or issues were debated openly and in as much detail as time allowed. That’s the way it should be and I will plan to share that perspective in Canada and the GDC’s AGMs.
With these experiences I’m overwhelmingly inspired for a long term commitment to our growing Canadian design organizations and it’s partnership with the global design community. What is the value of design membership? I’ll echo simply what Robert said, “it’s what you put in” and encourage those looking for something from being a GDC member to make the effort to get involved instead of sitting on the sidelines, help create change and move our design profession forward in a collaborative and intelligent manner. The rewards are invaluable!
Posted: October 28th, 2011 under Creativity & Innovation.
Tags: creativity, design, events, GDCBC, inspiration
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