ASID Membership Directory & Buyers Guide - ABC's of ASID

The American Society of Interior Designers, the oldest and largest professional organization for interior designers, was founded in 1975.

Committed to the belief that interior design is a powerful, multi-faceted profession that can positively change people’s lives, the organization has grown to more than 40,000 members in 48 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“ASID members will have met education and experience requirements and, to maintain their membership, they must regularly earn continuing education units (CEU’s),” notes Constance S. Riik of Jacksonville-based CSR Interiors, who is president-elect of the Florida North Chapter. “Members must also adhere to ASID’s code of ethics regarding conduct toward clients and other interior designers.” 

So what do the words and letters mean that appear behind an ASID member’s name? There are different titles, known as appellations, which show different levels of training and membership in the organization:

• FASID: Fellowship is the highest honor the society can bestow on its members. Elevation to fellowship not only acknowledges a designer’s professional achievements but also the contributions he or she has made to the industry and to society as a whole.

• ASID: Professional Members must have completed a course of accredited education and equivalent work experience. Each Professional Member must also complete six continuing education units every two years to maintain their membership.

• Allied Member ASID: Allied Members must have completed 40 semester or 60 quarter credit hours in interior design education from an accredited institution. They also must complete six continuing education units every two years.

• Student ASID: Students who are enrolled in an interior design program with at least 40 semester or 60 quarter credit hour requirements can become Student Members of ASID. Upon graduation, they are then eligible to apply for designation as an Allied Member.