The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) is on a mission to make sure designers are recognized and counted in the 2026 Australian Census. With a catchy campaign called 'Write Designer', the DIA is urging designers to identify themselves as such in the upcoming census, which takes place on August 11th. This initiative is a significant step towards highlighting the importance and impact of design on the country's economy, society, and culture.
Design, an integral part of our daily lives, has been an underappreciated sector. The DIA estimates that the design industry contributes a substantial $67.5 billion to Australia's economy annually, yet the number of designers has never been accurately recorded. This campaign aims to change that by providing designers with a dedicated category in the Census, '242 Design Professionals', ensuring their profession is finally given the recognition it deserves.
Simone LeAmon, DIA's chief executive, emphasizes the campaign's dual purpose. It's not just about filling in the census; it's a symbolic act of advocacy for the design profession. LeAmon believes that this campaign is a collective effort to showcase the value of design and its profound influence on various aspects of Australian life.
The 'Write Designer' campaign is a creative collaboration involving renowned agencies and artists. Clemenger BBDO, N'fa Jones (an ARIA Award-winning artist), and composer Jonah Gabriel have joined forces with various Australian design studios and businesses. This collaboration aims to demonstrate the diverse range of design practices across the country, featuring notable names like Marc Newson, Bluey, Romance Was Born, and many more.
The DIA is providing designers with clear instructions on how to identify themselves in the census. They recommend selecting the specific occupation category '242 Design Professionals' and describing their work in the 'tasks' section, starting with 'Designing...'. This approach ensures that designers are accurately classified and counted.
LeAmon believes that this census will be a historic moment for the design profession. She encourages every designer to participate and contribute to the creation of an accurate picture of Australia's design industry. The DIA's website (https://www.design.org.au/write-designer) offers valuable resources, including a toolkit and a video, to support designers in this important endeavor.
