Leading Icograda's Education Portfolio on behalf of the Executive Board for the 2009-2011 term, Vice President Omar Vulpinari outlines new initiatives for 2010.

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With 2010 well underway, your Icograda board has already begun working on its agenda for the 2009-2011 term.

One of Icograda's strategic objectives is to support the development of communication design education in theory, practice, and research, around the world, and 2010 includes two major initiatives in support of this aim: the launch of Iridescent: Icograda Journal of Design Research and an update of the Icograda Education Manifesto. Here's a look at how we are advancing these two items.

Iridescent: Icograda Journal of Design Research

The main focus for Iridescent has been to lay down the infrastructure for the journal, establish the submission and peer review process. Through a Call for Nominations, we have received a number of nominations from respected individuals for the Iridescent Editorial Board and Advisory Panel. A guiding principle in our selections is mirroring the cultural diversity found within the Icograda network. We also sought to include individuals who bring specific professional expertise in their respective fields and regions. We are confirming the participation of these individuals who will establish Iridescent's editorial themes and referee articles.

Next steps include the creation of the Iridescent website, scheduled to be launched on 1 March 2010. The papers presented during in IEN conference at Xin: Icograda World Design Congress in Beijing will be the first Iridescent content. Following the launch, the first set of themes for Iridescent will be announced and we look forward to receiving contributions.

Icograda Education Manifesto

To mark the 10 anniversary of the Icograda Education Manifesto, first launched at the Oullim Millennium Congress in 2000, Icograda is revisiting this core document. We have extended invitations to internationally renowned and highly regarded design educators to co-chair this initiative. Their expertise and longstanding relationship with Icograda will guide the evolution of our education platform.

In addition to securing the participation of our co-chairs, we have invited 10 experts - educators, design practitioners, education theoreticians, design futurologists to contribute essays on the future of design education. We look forward to sharing the profiles for these individuals as soon as their participation is confirmed.

As the year unfolds ahead of us, we will continue working to serve the design education and research community within and beyond the Icograda Education Network, encouraging dialogue and debate that advances the understanding of design as a medium for progressive change.

Omar Vulpinari
Icograda Vice President - (Treviso, Italy)
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