About Us

The Northern Pacific Chapter of the International Interior Design Association consists of Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Alberta, and British Columbia. Our membership is vastly growing into these regions. Our future goals are to develop City Centers in Spokane, WA, Anchorage, Boise, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Our Chapter consists of over 340 members of all levels. Annual Chapter events, city center events, and educational seminars have proven themselves in developing a strong core of professionals in the local Interior Design industry. Our objective is to provide diverse educational and networking opportunities, and commit ourselves to strengthen the design community. Our standard is to raise the bar for our members and cultivate them into leaders, furthering the profession of Interior Design.

What is IIDA?

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is a professional networking and educational association representing more than 11,000 interior designers, industry partners and students of interior design from nine regions around the globe. There are more than 30 IIDA Chapters world-wide dedicated to enhancing the public's quality of life through excellence in interior design. IIDA hosts 8 specialty forums to study and promote design innovations and sharpen our members' technical skills and knowledge In addition to cultivating general awareness of the benefits of interior design for the built environment, the International Interior Design Association:

Advocates design excellence
Nurtures a global interior design community
Maintains educational standards
Responds to trends in business and design
Provides superior information about interior design and related issues, using its own rapidly developing body of knowledge as a resource

Who are IIDA’s members?

IIDA’s more than 11,000 members represent all levels and aspects of design, including:

Professional members, who have fulfilled IIDA’s requirements for education, examination, and experience
Associate members, who are just starting their careers
Affiliate members, who represent related design disciplines such as landscape design or graphic design
Student members
Industry representatives and individuals

Members represent all interior design specialties and may participate in any two of IIDA’s eight Forums:

Commercial
Education and Research
Facility Planning and Design
Government
Health Care
Hospitality
Residential
Retail

What makes IIDA unique?

IIDA’s International Board of Directors is committed to the concept of the virtual association; the IIDA Web sites are a key tool for communication among IIDA’s leadership and individual members around the world. IIDA’s global infrastructure and emphasis on information technology make it possible for IIDA to keep in constant touch with its members. IIDA’s 9 international Regions, more than 30 Chapters, and 64 U.S. city centers offer regular educational, social, and fund-raising activities. IIDA holds international events, such as the 1998 Second International Residential Forum Meeting, sponsored jointly with IIDA’s Chapter in Guadalajara, Mexico. IIDA is a member of the International Federation of Architects/Interior Designers (IFI) and encourages dual membership by interior designers who belong to selected design organizations in countries other than the United States.

How does IIDA assist individual designers?

Qualification
IIDA is the only interior design association that requires its Professional members to pass the examination of the NCIDQ (National Council on Interior Design Qualification). Designers with IIDA attached to their names represent the highest standards in training, experience, and professionalism.
Continuing Education
IIDA offers a full range of continuing education opportunities in interior design and business practice for interior designers. Courses are given at the regional and local levels; in connection with international trade shows; and through home study via industry publications and the Internet.
Compliance Requirements
IIDA Professional and Associate Members are required to complete 1.0 CEUs = 10 hours of continuing education instruction every two years (this requirement applies to only those who became Professional and Associate Members before January 1, 1998.
Legislation
IIDA has established a Government and Regulatory Affairs Program that has proven to be effective at the national level in the United States. IIDA is committed to assuring that interior designers are strongly and accurately represented in forthcoming hearings of the International Code Council (ICC).
Marketing
Through IIDA Chapters, an individual member may, for a nominal fee, create a Web site portfolio of professional work.
Advertising
IIDA has launched an international advertising campaign that focuses on public awareness of IIDA and the importance of interior design.

How does IIDA strengthen the design profession?

Design Congress
IIDA hosts the International Design Congress, a meeting of leaders from the interior design profession and industry, international corporations, and academia, held every 18 months. Congress participants analyze future trends that will affect interior designers and proceedings are shared with IIDA members.
IIDA Roundtables
IIDA has established a regular series of Roundtables that focus on issues of interest to large design firms, residential designers, and design educators. Members receive summaries of Roundtable discussions.
IIDA Industry Advisory Council
IIDA’s Forum Directors meet periodically with industry representatives to discuss subjects of mutual interest, including continuing education, public awareness, and pending legislation.
IIDA Research Summit

How does IIDA celebrate excellence in interior design?

Each year, IIDA sponsors international interior design competitions that are highly respected throughout the industry; winning entries exemplify three decades of the best of interior design. Competitions include:

IIDA Product Design Competition (APEX Awards)
Sponsored jointly with Contract Design Magazine, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 1998.
Interior Design Competition
Sponsored jointly with Interior Design Magazine, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1998.
Hospitality Design Competition
Sponsored with Hospitality Design Magazine.
The Will Ching FIBD Design Competition and the IIDA Foundation Interior Design Competition
Recognizes the work of small interior design firms.

How does IIDA enhance its visibility around the world?

IIDA is an education partner or is otherwise present at selected annual trade shows, including:

Decorex (England)
Orgatec (Germany)
IIDEX (Canada)
Interplan (New York)
NeoCon West and Design Week (California)
High Point (North Carolina)
NeoCon South (Florida)
NeoCon, the National Exposition of Contract Design and Furnishings, held at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, which is IIDA's annual meeting and exposition; in 1998, NeoCon attracted 51,000 designers and industry representatives from around the world, and more than 30 IIDA members gave educational presentations in all design specialties.

What is IIDA’s history?

IIDA, founded in 1994, is the result of a merger of the Institute of Business Designers (IBD); the International Society of Interior Designers (ISID); and the Council of Federal Interior Designers (CFID). The goal of the merger was to create an international association with a united mission that would represent interior designers worldwide and speak on their behalf with a single voice.

International Interior Design Association

Northern Pacific Chapter

PO Box 12826
Seattle, WA 98111-4826
Telephone: 206.762.6471
Email:

International Interior Design Association

International Headquarters

341 Merchandise Mart
Chicago, IL USA 60654-1104
Telephone: 312.467.1950
Telephone toll free within the continental United States: 888.799.IIDA (4432)
Facsimile: 312.467.0779
Email: