Building on the recent successful launch of the National Design Centre (NDC) in Melbourne, AGDA is pleased to announce that it is an official Founding Partner along with the Royal Institute of Architects and the DIA.

"Given the opportunities for mutual collaboration (eg. the recent Australian Poster Annual) we're delighted to be associated with the NDC and we look forward to a long and beneficial partnership," says Simon Pemberton, AGDA National President.

The National Design Centre is Australia's first major, public, design centre.

Established by Founder and Director Kathy Demos, the NDC has the support of Federation Square, professional bodies, Universities and long-term industry supporters such as Spicers Paper and Paperpoint.

"A feasibility study undertaken by Ernst & Young determined that a National Design Centre would promote an established and internationally recognised professional design industry as a key driver in educating and encouraging innovative change through design," adds Kathy.

It's location, in a prime position at Federation Square, reinforces one of the main objectives of the Centre, that regardless of its host city, it can be a high profile, accessible and valuable resource to all in the community who are interested in design.

Over the past twelve months AGDA has collaborated with Kathy Demos in this regard

• firstly implementing as part of the 2004 Design Festival, the AGDA Typography Forum which included panellists Garry Emery, Vince Frost, David Pidgeon, Jack Yan, Scott Carslake and Anthony Deleo; and

• secondly, the nominations for the City of Milan 2005 Young Foreign Designers Award for which a panel of Italian design experts selected as the overall winner Linda Jukic, highly awarded designer at the most recent AGDA National Biennial Awards.

"For the first time," declares Rita Siow, AGDA General Manager, "Australian design will have a central hub, one with which AGDA, as the peak body representing the profession, will be able to showcase its achievements and aspirations more extensively to business and the wider community."

Information about the National Design Centre is available through their website - http://www.nationaldesigncentre.com