The board of directors comprises 15 elected directors who conduct the association’s general affairs, finance, and management of information and the center’s activities. They also establish committees to handle public relations activities with external bodies.
The center committees have various functions including the operation of the association, handle communications with organizations inside and outside of Japan, and conduct various research projects. Their activities are different from the block committees and are characterized by an activity theme of relevance to the whole association and can be shared extensively by our members throughout Japan.
JIDA’s activity objectives were established with a medium-term perspective, and employ a roadmap as a concrete approach to achieve them. This involves conducting a questionnaire survey of members and supporting members on their vision of JIDA, and reflecting the results to develop JIDA appropriately for the 21st century. Following the roadmaps proposed by the committee, national events will be held for the members and prospective members to physically meet and network.
Activities have been established to constantly provide JIDA members with specialized knowledge necessary for designers. Such information, that is directly useful for work, is difficult for individuals to obtain in a timely manner. For example information on new exterior materials and new surface treatment technology. Plans include to hold workshop type seminars with manufacturers developing such materials and establish a library of specialized information and data, and samples of actual materials. One result of this activity is our original sample book “JIDA STANDARD SAMPLES.”
This is a committee to examine, research, draft proposals, exchange opinions, share information and study specific implementation methods to realize a certification system for industrial designers. This system certifies that the certificate holder possesses at least a certain level of knowledge, skills and ability, but does not guarantee occupational status as national certificates. The certification clarifies the designer has completed a system of study and a draft proposal is in place for a screening process on qualification levels. This will be an official certification system conducted and granted by JIDA under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
A committee that forms the core of a vocational association of industrial designers will collect and study information on the vocational capacity and skills demanded of today’s industrial designers. The committee also investigates the intellectual property rights of the results created to appropriately disseminate the findings to the government and society. The committee further holds discussions regarding the tasks and issues that industrial designers and the design industry face, and plans and organizes free consultations regarding intellectual property rights and seminars on vocational skills for our members. It also handles publication and sales the results of its research.
This committee was born of the necessity to permanently store and exhibit products with excellent design. Its main activity is planning, display and management of the three exhibition sites in Japan (JIDA Design Museum 1: Shinshu? Shinmachi, Nagano / JIDA Design Museum in AXIS, To?kyo? / JIDA Design Museum Stockyard in Toyono-cho?, O￣saka), as well as the work related to JIDA Design Museum selection, and effective use of the archive, such as leasing the collection of approximately 1,000 pieces. The activity is supported by the Design Museum Support Group (individual and corporate support) and aid from the foundation.
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