IDSA’s network of Professional Chapters, Women in Design Chapters, and Student Chapters in the United States is organized into five Districts based on geographical region. This structure allows for even distribution of these communities and ensures equitable support from headquarters to serve the different populations of working professionals and students of industrial design across the country. The District map is also used by our Board of Directors and other planning teams when looking ahead (usually 2 to 5 years in advance) to where future events will be held. Doing this makes certain that there will always be nationally produced content within close proximity to different concentrations of membership groups every year. IDSA’s annual Student Merit Awards program also relies on the District boarders in the celebration of top design student talent, one winner is selected from each District. 

Each District is led by a District Chapter Representative (DCR) who plays an active role in supporting the professional and student chapters within their district. They accomplish this by fostering the growth of chapters, mentoring chapter officers, creating connections among chapters, and engaging members who live in between chapters. DCRs make up the Districts Committee, chaired by the Chapter Director on IDSA’s Board of Directors.