We believe that the human condition is increasingly challenged by poor experiences. IxDA is committed to improving the human condition by advancing the discipline of Interaction Design.
To do this, we foster a community of people that choose to come together to support this intention. Diversity, inclusion, and parity are core values. IxDA relies on individual initiative, contribution, sharing and self-organization as the primary means for us to achieve our goals.
Our Work
Local groups
In 80 countries around the globe, IxDA members self-organize on a regular basis to connect, learn and inspire. Check for a local group in your area and get in touch about meetups, mentoring, portfolio reviews and other local activities.
Conferences
Our annual conferences host thousands of attendees each year. Additionally, conferences are held regionally by affiliated community members.
Online community
Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Slack, and X. Our online forums connect practitioners to learn and share around relevant topics.
Interaction Awards
To increase understanding and awareness of the field and to promote a standard of excellence, we organize the annual Interaction Awards.
Interaction Design Education Summit
The Interaction Design Education Summit connects educators and others interested in the evolution of design education.
Student Design Charette
We are fostering the next generation of designers through the Student Design Charette.
History
IxDA was incorporated in 2005 to address the needs of the then-emergent field of interaction design. In the intervening years, interaction design has grown as an industry and an area of study, at the same time the recognition of its value in the creation of great products has grown.
We were the first community for those interested in the practice of interaction design, and now we are the largest, wit local groups in over 80 countries and more than 150,000 individuals globally.
We are driven by a passion for design, and a belief that our practice of interaction design can make the world a better place. Through local meetups to global events and initiatives, this community comes together to connect, to advance our professional craft and improve our shared human condition through that effort.
IxDA Timeline
2003
Bruce Tognazzini publishes his seminal call to arms ‘It’s Time We Got Respect.’
Yahoo email group formed to connect interaction designers. Local groups form in NYC, Milan.
Interactiondesigners.com launched.
2004
Local groups start in London, Los Angeles.
2005
IxDA incorporated, first Board of Directors named. Robert Reimann is first President.
Name changed to IxDA from IxDG.
ixda.org launched.
Global membership: 1,500
2006
Local groups start in Stockholm, Portland (OR), Brussels.
2007
IxDA Group launched on LinkedIn.
Local group starts in Bangalore.
Design by Fire – first regional conference hosted by IxDA Nederland.
2008
First Interaction conference held at SCAD in Savannah, GA.
Local groups increase from 15 to 70.
@IxDA launched on Twitter.
Global membership – 5,000
2009
First Interaction South America conference in São Paulo.
Global membership – 10,000
2010
First Student Design Charette at Interaction 10 in Savannah.
IxDA Job Board launches in partnership with Coroflot.
Regional Coordinator role created.
2011
MidwestUX happens in Columbus.
Global membership – 20,000
2012
First Interaction Awards at Interaction 12 in Dublin.
Design by Fire in SF – a joint effort of IxDA Nederland and IxDA San Francisco.
Global membership – 40,000
2013
First Interaction Design Education Summit at Interaction 13 in Toronto.
Regional Coordinator role for Africa/Middle East established.
Global membership – 69,000
Local Groups – 136
2014
IxDA partners with the Gates Foundation to present 2014 Student Design Challenge.
2015
IxDA signs the Eeum Design Declaration in Korea, with 8 other international design organizations.
2017
IxDA signs Montreal Design Declaration.
IxDA and CUMULUS sign collaboration agreement.
ixda.org relaunched.
Interaction South America becomes Interaction Latin America.
2018
World Interaction Design Day established.
Global membership – 100,000
2019
IxDA and SDN sign collaboration agreement.
2020
IxDA becomes a partner in the Diversify by Design coalition.
2021
Interaction and ILA move online, live from Montréal and Costa Rica.
Global membership – 120,000
2022
IxDA Student Design Charette moves online.
2023
Global membership – 150,000
Get Involved
IxDA is fully the product of our passionate and engaged community. What’s more, membership in IxDA is free — your “dues” are paid by your participation. Connect with your local group. Join the online community. Attend a conference. You make the community better by showing up.
Have more thoughts? Get in touch with the IxDA leadership. We’d love to hear from you.
Support IxDA
Without the generous contributions, participation and support of the global interaction design community, IxDA wouldn’t be where it is today. The Interaction Design Association is member-supported rather than membership-supported. You are a member if you say you are, and pay no dues. It’s that simple. Help us keep it that way.