The Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), established in 1945, is the UK's most prestigious professional body for designers operating in the many fields of engineering design - product design, architecture, the marine, automotive and aircraft industries and many more. It is licensed by the Engineering Council to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of Professional Engineers and Technicians and accredits courses for their training. Once members have achieved the appropriate academic and competence standards they are rewarded with Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer or Engineering Technician status, as appropriate.
All accredited courses at universities in the UK and abroad are fully supported by the Institution. The accreditation for membership of the IED is very thorough, involving an assessment of the course documents, assessment procedures and teaching facilities by a panel of acknowledged experts. The panel also meets with lecturers and current students during the course of the assessment.
IED student membership is free to full-time students for the duration of their studies and their first year of graduate membership, then they can progress to full membership of the Institution.
The IED offers a number of members' services, such as advice on professional codes of conduct and a helpful advice line and there are plenty of opportunities to network with other professional engineering designers at IED events. The IED also actively encourages CPD for all members, supporting ongoing training and skills development.
Membership is also open to all companies who have a design function and employ design engineers within their organisation.