The International Association of Societies of Design Research was formally established on November 1, 2005.

The Association is an international, non-governmental, non-profit-making, charitable organisation, and is comprised of member societies of design research from around the world.

The purpose of the Association is to promote research or study into or about the activity of design in all its many fields of application, through encouraging collaboration on an international level between independent societies of design research.

The Association promotes, amongst other activities, the organisation of a biennial International Congress of Design Research, at appropriate venues around the world.

The Rules of the Association (version dated: 26 April 2017, renumbered 21 May 2019)

The International Association of Societies of Design Research is an international, non-governmental, non-profit-making, charitable organisation. The Association was founded on 1 November 2005.

1. Purpose of the Association
The purpose of the Association is to promote research or study into or about the activity of design in all its many fields of application, through encouraging collaboration on an international level between independent societies of design research.
1.1 The Association will promote, amongst other activities, the organisation of biennial International Congresses of Design Research, at appropriate venues around the world.
1.1a The official language for congresses and for conducting the business of the Association is English.

2. Membership of the Association
The Association is comprised of member societies of design research from around the world.
2.1 Member societies are independent bodies and, for the purposes of membership of the Association, do not represent specific countries or constituencies.
2.2 Any society which is comprised of independent, individual members and has aims of promoting or encouraging research or study into or about the activity of design can apply to join the Association.
2.2a Admission of member societies to the Association is decided by majority vote of the Executive Board of the Association.
2.2b The Executive Board can also invite societies to become members.
2.3 Member societies are required to pay annually to IASDR a subscription of US$500.
2.3a Income from member societies is to be used by the Executive Board solely for promoting and supporting IASDR activities and events and the business of the Association.
2.4 Member societies may resign from IASDR at any time by giving notice to the Executive Board Secretary.

3. Management of the Association
The business of the Association is managed by an Executive Board, comprised of two members appointed from each of the member societies.
3.1 Each member society will select from its membership two (2) suitable representatives.The selection of representatives is entirely at the discretion of the member society.
3.2 Each representative shall be appointed for a period of two (2) years. Re-appointment for a further term is entirely at the discretion of the member society.
3.3 The IASDR Board shall elect from its members a President for a period of two (2) years. An election shall be by confidential ballot presided over by an agreed member of an IASDR member society.The IASDR Board will select such a person following the advice of its member societies.
3.4 The IASDR Board shall elect from its members a Vice-President for a period of two (2) years. An election shall be by confidential ballot presided over by the current IASDR President or his/her nominee.
3.5 The IASDR Board shall elect from its members a Treasurer for a period of two (2) years. An election shall be by confidential ballot presided over by the current IASDR President or his/her nominee.
3.6 The IASDR Board shall elect from its members a Secretary-General for a period of two (2) years. An election shall be by confidential ballot presided over by the current IASDR President or his/her nominee.
3.7 The IASDR Board shall, if thought necessary, co-opt up to three (3) further members drawn from the member societies.
3.8 Normally, appointment of representatives will occur at the time of the biennial conference.
3.9 Normally, a Board Meeting will be held at the time of the biennial conference, and at least one other meeting held online in alternating years.
3.10 The Secretary-General will keep all member societies informed of all IASDR activities.
3.11 The Treasurer will make annual summary reports of IASDR income and expenditure to all member societies.
3.12 The immediate past-President shall be a non-voting member of the Board.

These rules were agreed by the Board dated 26 April 2017, and corrected 21 May 2019 by renumbering from 3.4 onwards.