Providence, RI (February 11, 2008)—The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the nation’s leading industrial design organization today announced the launch of its Rhode Island chapter affiliate, IDSA Rhode Island.

“Clearly, the launch of the Rhode Island Chapter is exciting news for IDSA,” said Frank Tyneski, IDSA’s executive director. “But even more exciting is that industrial design in Providence-and throughout Rhode Island-has long been widely respected for the contributions it has made within many sectors. An active IDSA chapter in Rhode Island will serve as a catalyst for continued growth of industrial design throughout the state. Our national office looks forward to working with the Rhode Island chapter, and assists in further developing a robust design community with an eye towards innovation and economic growth.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Rhode Island ranked second in the nation for its concentration of industrial designers.

IDSA’s mission is to lead the profession by expanding our horizons, connectivity and influence, and our service to members; inspire design quality and responsibility through professional development and education; and elevate the business of design and improve our industry's value.

“The formation of this newest chapter of the IDSA represents an opportunity to promote and showcase Rhode Island’s industrial design community while strengthening our state’s network of industrial designers,” stated Matt Grigsby, incoming IDSA-Rhode Island chairman and co-founder of Providence-based Ecolect. “Rhode Island is home to a host of assets such as the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and our other institutions of higher education, a renowned industrial design community and an active entrepreneurial community—all crucial ingredients in driving innovation, growing our community and impacting our state’s economy.”

During its inaugural launch, IDSA Rhode Island is pleased to announce that it has members from the following companies, thus far: Bose, Cutler & Company, Design Formations, Design Lab, Ecolect, GTECH, Hasbro, Item Group, Kaiju Studios, and Wooding Design. For more information on membership, please contact IDSA membership services at 703-707-6000 or visit www.idsari.org.

“Rhode Island’s industrial design community has long been on the forefront of embracing innovation and developing new solutions to the real world challenges we are facing in the areas of healthcare, education, public safety as well as our quality of life,” according to Saul Kaplan, executive director, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC). “We are proud to support the IDSA-Rhode Island chapter, which will not only serve to bring our state’s industrial design community closer together, but will also enable new company creation, stimulate entrepreneurship, foster new types of collaborative partnerships and help to create a culture of innovation that is key in creating high-wage jobs within our state.”