2006: Standards with Sustainability

The world in 2006 was undergoing a profound shift. Climate urgency came into sharp focus with the IPCC’s fourth report, global dialogue transformed with the launch of Twitter, and the Yogyakarta Principles reframed human rights in relation to identity, space, and dignity. Design was being called to respond—and to lead.

CIDA stepped into that moment with Future Vision 2006, a comprehensive revision of its Professional Standards. Sustainability, communication, and accountability were no longer aspirations; they became essential expectations for every accredited interior design program. This update signaled a recognition that design education must prepare students to address environmental responsibility, social impact, and the interconnected challenges shaping contemporary life.

These standards were forward-looking for their time. By embedding sustainability directly into accreditation, CIDA helped define what responsible design education should look like—ensuring that graduates enter the profession ready to contribute to a world demanding clarity, resilience, and purpose-driven thinking.

Why does 2006 matter? Because it marked the year sustainability became a foundational element of design education. CIDA’s standards aligned with global urgency, ensuring that the next generation of designers would be equipped to create spaces that support people, planet, and progress.