They need to make it work like other “real” professional organizations. And a place to start ties into a very upsetting thing that the IDSA did a few months ago.
A few moths ago I received an email from IDSA National. Just an ordinary “we got the skinny on some jobs” type email. It reads:
Dear IDSA furniture designer,
I’m writing to inform you of a design opportunity near IDSA headquarters. Universal Cabinet Designs is seeking a talented individual to design a prototype. The product will be used for consumer electronics and designed to fit a futuristic theme. We are looking for a design to be complete this winter, but the position offers potential long-term partnership. Your collaboration and creative input is required–we would like to apply your perspective to operations. Candidates do not have to be local, but must be willing to work pro bono at start. Future compensation is negotiable. Position is open immediately as interested investors and buyers are awaiting a prototype.
If interested, please contact Steve at > xxxxxx@gmail.com> .
Xxx Xxxxx
Manager of Member Relations
Industrial Designers Society of America
Tel: 703.707.6000
Fax: 703.787.8501
xxxxxxxx@idsa.orghttp://www.idsa.org
IDSA on Twitter
IDSA LinkedIN discussion group
IDSA Facebook page
Wow, Thanks!! my professional organization apparently see’s nothing wrong with aiding people in solicitations for members to work for free. Not being respected as a profession is awesome, right?!
If they respected the work the designer was doing they would hire a professional, or at least pay a grad student to work with them. I do not plan to renew my membership to the IDSA, an organization which I had volunteered with for several years prior to this. I want an organization which fights for legitimacy of it’s members, an organization that membership is a badge of honor, an organization who will stand up and guide the misinformed to correct etiquette for procurement of a designer. Ultimately I would like some standards, maybe this new guy can shape this thing up, I hope so otherwise the future feels bleak.
-Stephen T. Kamykowski, IDSA