NCIDQ is pleased to announce the establishment of official registered trademarks for the name NCIDQ®, the graphic logo and the tag line, The Mark of a Professional®.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) approved NCIDQ as owner of the federally registered marks. NCIDQ has also applied for ownership of these items with the Canadian copyright authorities.

Having registered trademarks grants NCIDQ protection against illegal use of its intellectual property. Having a registered mark not only helps protect NCIDQ's creative works from plagiarism or theft, it helps establish our brand and gives credibility to the source of the mark.

A: Yes, if you use it correctly. Let us explain:

Earning an NCIDQ Certificate is an important credential for any interior designer. In today's increasingly competitive marketplace, an NCIDQ Certificate demonstrates that you are uniquely qualified through education, experience and examination to competently practice interior design.

When using this credential, it is important to use it properly. NCIDQ is not a membership association for individuals like the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) or the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Only U.S. regulatory boards and Canadian provincial associations may be members of NCIDQ. Therefore, it is incorrect to use the acronym "NCIDQ" after your name on any business correspondence.

The correct way to showcase your credential is to add "NCIDQ® Certificate Number [No.] XXXXX" after your name.

Correct Usage:
Your Name, NCIDQ® Certificate Number 000000
or
Your Name NCIDQ® Certificate No. 000000

Incorrect Usage:
Your Name, NCIDQ
or
Your Name, NCIDQ-Certified

If you are a supervisor or mentor, you know just how important your knowledge and guidance are. We want you to be prepared for what's ahead in order to better prepare your IDEP participants.

Beginning July 1, 2008, the Interior Design Experience Program (IDEP) fee will increase to $85 per installment. This fee will apply to everyone regardless of their program start date.

IDEP is a monitored, documented experience program administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) for entry-level interior designers. IDEP assists entry-level interior designers in obtaining a broad range of quality professional experience. The program provides a structure for the essential transition between formal education and professional practice, recognizing the differences between classroom and workplace.

Read more about IDEP at www.ncidq.org

Want to be a Mentor or Supervisor?

There are many good reasons to become a mentor or supervisor. As you bring your wealth of experience to the relationship, in turn, the participant shares his or her knowledge of the latest design trends and technology, resulting in a cultivated relationship where you learn from each other! You can feel good about your role in the growing professional's education and experience as you help to create a more skilled and valuable designer and potential employee.

To learn more about becoming a supervisor or mentor, download our Guide for Supervisors and Mentors or visit our Web site.

Industry News

Proposed CIDA Professional Standards Open for Review and Comment CIDA LogoThe Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) invites community comment on proposed Professional Standards 2009. Finalized CIDA standards are scheduled for adoption in May 2008, with a proposed implementation date of July 1, 2009. "The CIDA standards project has demonstrated how deeply our profession is committed to quality interior design education. Stakeholders agree that future interior design graduates should not only be prepared with the skills required for entry-level practice, but also with a foundation that poises them to be highly valued contributors well into the future. CIDA is grateful for the community's involvement to date in describing the characteristics that define quality interior design education, and wholeheartedly welcomes future input," states Cary Johnson, CIDA Board Chair. To review the proposed CIDA standards and provide your comments, please visit the CIDA Web site at http://www.accredit-id.org/09_jan_news.html. Comments must be received in the CIDA office no later than April 15, 2008.

Contact Information Requests
Are you Moving? Let NCIDQ Know! In order to ensure you continue to receive these newsletters, we need your current e-mail addresses. If you are planning on moving or have moved recently, please update your contact information. To update your information, simply go to our Web site at www.ncidq.org and click on MyNCIDQ located on the right-hand corner of the page.