For immediate release, Contact Kevin Budelman / Peopledesign
616.459.4444, kevin@peopledesign.com, www.peopledesign.com

Grand Rapids, MI – May 11, 2011 – The Association of Professional Design Firms (APDF) will officially appoint Kevin Budelmann, president of Peopledesign, as its president on Thursday, May 12 at the annual APDF Exchange in San Francisco. The APDF Exchange presents a dynamic mix of interactive sessions with nationally recognized business experts and panel discussions that facilitate open sharing. The key focus is on dialogue, peer-to-peer networking, leadership learning and collaboration. APDF is directed by and for 100 leading independent product, communications, and interaction design firms in North America. This multidisciplinary network is dedicated to sharing ideas about the business of design. 

In this new role as APDF president, Budelmann plans to position the organization as a key player in defining the future of the design profession, one that creates opportunities for best practices information exchange for the benefit of members. 

“Last year, as vice president of APDF, I worked to clarify and focus the brand position and value proposition of the organization,” said Budelmann, co-author of Brand Identity Essentials (© 2010 Rockport Publishers). “As the organization’s new president, I plan to deepen the APDF focus on design entrepreneurship. I plan to extend our collaborations with other leading design associations, and help define a future path for the design profession.”

A tremendous opportunity exists for organizations such as, APDF, AIGA, DMI, IDSA, IxDA, GDC, RGD, and SEGD to create a unified message on the future of design in an increasingly multi-disciplinary world. Leaders from several of these groups met last year in New York City, including Budelmann, who represented both APDF and AIGA (he started a local AIGA chapter in 2009 and also served as its first president). These organizations share a common core philosophy that greater convergence is in their mutual best interest, and helps to elevate design as a whole. In his new position, Budelmann will play a key role in shaping what design means to business and culture over the next several years.

About APDF
Founded in 1985, the Association of Professional Design Firms (APDF) is comprised of leading firms that consult in the use of design to help drive innovation and strategic business success. Member firms represent a diverse collection of design skill sets including identity, experience, environmental, branding, packaging, interactive, product, engineering and industrial design. APDF serves its member firms by emphasizing design as a business and providing a forum for industry leaders to grow their business skills, and their businesses, through education, interaction and collaboration. For more information, visit www.apdf.org and www.apdf.org/exchange.

About Peopledesign
Peopledesign transforms businesses by helping them conceive and produce innovative customer experiences. We work with leaders to find new sources of value through insights into customer behavior and customer experience strategy. Then we design tools to support the touchpoints between the business and its customers. Rooted in empathy for people, our work results in smart strategies that connect our clients with their customers and foster loyalty. For more information, visit www.peopledesign.com. Our new book is now available; learn more at www.brand-identity-essentials.com.