Australian Indigenous Design CHARTER

"The Australian Indigenous Design Charter is not only about best practice in working with Indigenous images, as it also posits a framework to give Indigenous voice with political integrity. Image making in Indigenous culture is paramount to relaying our memories of the past into the present which has been practice throughout millennia" Brian Martin (Muruwari,Bundjalung , Kamilaroi) 2016.

Despite the existence of protocols for the creation, distribution and ownership of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual and media arts, there remains a lack of information, guidance and professional leadership regarding the appropriate creation and commercial use of Indigenous graphical representations in communication design practice. The Australian Indigenous Design Charter: Communication Design (AIDC:CD) responds directly to calls by governments, professional design associations, professional design practitioners and buyers of design.

“Engage by showing human reasons to move closer” Gabrielle Lorraine Fletcher 2016.

The Australian Indigenous Design Charter – Communication Design was coauthored by Dr Russell Kennedy and Dr Meghan Kelly from Deakin University, School of Communication and Creative Arts in collaboration with Dr Brian Martin (Muruwari, Bundjalung, Kamilaroi), Deakin University, Institute of Koorie Education (IKE), Jefa Greenaway (Wailwan/Gamillaraay), Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria (IADV) and the Management and Executive Board of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA). 

Tailored specifically for the communication design profession, this Charter expands on the research findings of Dr Russell Kennedy’s PhD thesis titled: Designing with Indigenous Knowledge: Policy and protocols for respectful and authentic cross-cultural representation in communication design practice. 

International indigenous design charter

Coming soon.