IDSA 2025 International Design Conference & Education Symposium

Theme: Where Legacy Meets Future
Dates: September 16–19, 2025
Location: Detroit, Michigan

Extended Abstract & Poster Submissions Open Through July 1

We invite educators, researchers, and design practitioners to submit a 2–2.5 page anonymized extended abstract (PDF) or poster for the IDSA 2025 International Design Conference & Education Symposium.

Submissions should present original work—academic research, case studies, or reflective essays—that contribute to industrial design education, research, or practice. All extended abstracts and posters will be peer-reviewed by the IDSA Education Council through a double-blind process.

Authors may submit either an Extended Abstract or a Poster. The Council will determine the final presentation format for selected Extended Abstracts based on content, fit, available space, and overall scheduling. Final assignments may include (but are not limited to) panel sessions, workshops, rapid-fire presentations, or traditional presentations. 

If your extended abstract is not selected for inclusion in the program, you may be invited to present your work as a poster, space permitting.

Submission Deadline: July 1, 2025

Extended Abstract Presentation Format Options

• Presentation: Traditional speaker/audience format
   
  • Academic/Student Research: These contributions follow a systematic investigative approach to a question, problem, or situation, that builds on or addresses an existing theory and contributes new knowledge to the body of industrial design research or practice. The study should address clear research goals, questions and conform to formal research procedures and methodologies.
  • Case Studies: These contributions are investigations into one topic area, such as describing a process or project with tangible outcomes. Examples might be curriculum investigations, course projects, technologies, or industry product developments. They should demonstrate new ideas in industrial design pedagogy or practice.
  • Design Letters: These contributions are open; they follow a looser investigative approach. Thought pieces, lessons learned, and calls for action in industrial design practice or education would be appropriate contributions.
     
• Poster: Visually presented research or concepts. 

Extended Abstract & Poster Themes

• Track 1 – Design Practice: Speaks to the vital intersection of design practice and forward-thinking innovation. This theme also invites speakers to explore how honoring past wisdom can fuel transformative learning, inclusive practices, and sustainable progress in design.
   
• Track 2 – Design Education: Frames design education and pedagogy as a space where enduring principles intersect with emerging knowledge, technologies, and ethical imperatives. It emphasizes the role of educators and institutions in bridging generational design foundations with forward-looking practices to cultivate responsible, innovative designers for the challenges ahead.
   
• Track 3 – Research in Design: Highlights the evolution of industrial design from traditional practice to a research-driven discipline. It invites inquiry into how design science builds on foundational values to address today’s complex challenges with rigor and foresight.
   
• Track 4 – Open Track: This theme welcomes bold, interdisciplinary, and unconventional work that expands the boundaries of industrial design. It is a space for experimental approaches, emerging practices, personal narratives, and speculative visions that may not align with traditional categories—but which provoke dialogue, challenge norms, and reimagine the future of design in unexpected ways.

Evaluation Criteria

• Relevance: Clear alignment with the theme and fit within industrial design education.
• Significance: Provides new or underexplored insights beyond surface-level observations.
• Method or Approach: Clearly stated methodology or pedagogical framework.
• Findings or Insights: Specific takeaways supported by evidence and valuable to the audience.
• Writing and Organization: Clear, professional writing and logical structure. Relevant visuals enhance understanding.
• Style, Citations & Sources: APA style. At least 5 credible references (peer-reviewed, scholarly sources).

Submit Your Extended Abstract or Poster

• Link to Submission Portal

Download Submission Guidelines

• Extended Abstract Submissions: 
  • 2025 Extended Abstract Template
  • 2025 Extended Abstract Guidelines
• Poster Submissions:
  • 2025 Poster Template Download
  • 2025 Poster Template Guidelines

Submission Requirements

Note: We are accepting only 2–2.5 page extended abstracts and final poster PDFs. All submissions must follow the formatting guidelines and be anonymized for double-blind review—this includes removing names, affiliations, and identifying details. For posters, submit a redacted version of your final design (e.g., blacked-out or redacted text where necessary) as a PDF for review. All files must be uploaded as PDFs through the online portal.

Key Dates & Deadlines

• July 1, 2025 – Extended abstract/poster submission deadline
• Mid-Late July – Notification of acceptance begins