Before you book your stand, ask how the exhibition protects original design
Jolene Levin on the questions exhibitors should ask before committing to an event.
Read article →Education Design & Innovation Council
Original thinking.
Better learning.
The Education Design & Innovation Council champions original design, responsible innovation and professional integrity across education furniture and technology.
Design integrity · Responsible innovation · EducationA shared commitment to original design
Latest from EDIC
News & Insights.
Designer spotlight
Michael Daubner · WD3
Michael Daubner: a simple block, a world of possibilities
How a sculptor’s stool inspired Michael Daubner and the WD3 team to create a versatile building block for learning spaces.
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Do we want our children to be original thinkers?
Darren Buttle on creativity, the people behind original ideas and the example our industry sets.
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Designer spotlight
Mike Prendergast · Muzo
Mike Prendergast: the designer behind Kite and Versatilis
How Kite’s success in schools opened up new possibilities for classroom shapes and working heights.
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Member spotlight: Muzo
Flexible furniture and connected solutions for changing learning environments.
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Original design deserves clearer protection
What UK research reveals about design rights, reported copying and the need for clearer guidance.
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Five principles for constructive design-integrity discussions
A practical guide to evidence, fairness and responsible dialogue.
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Jolene Levin
Chair, Education Design & Innovation Council
Be part of EDIC
Make your commitment visible.
For the people who design, make, specify, supply and use education products.
Recognition
A public member profile with your logo, company story, website and showcase images, following approval.
Knowledge
Explore practical guidance, council documents and the development stories behind original designs.
Contribution
Share your expertise and suggest designer stories, resources and topics that deserve industry attention.
01 / Our purpose
The next great idea
should be worth creating.
Better learning environments begin with people willing to think differently. That takes creativity, expertise and sustained investment.
Headquartered in the USA, the Education Design & Innovation Council supports education furniture and technology manufacturers in protecting intellectual property, addressing product copying and safeguarding the investment behind original design.
Our mission is to build a fairer, more innovative global industry where businesses can invest in new ideas with greater confidence, and where educators and learners benefit from meaningful progress.
International presence
A shared purpose.
An international perspective.
Our network of members and expert advisers spans the USA, Germany, the UK, Finland, Australia and New Zealand. By connecting industry experience with specialist knowledge, EDIC helps members understand their IP protection options early, make informed decisions and approach new markets with greater confidence.
Practical guidance and the right expert connections can save valuable time, helping businesses plan protection before exhibiting, launching or exporting their products.
02 / Our work
Our priorities.
Championing originality, sharing expertise and advancing responsible industry practice.
Give original design
the recognition it deserves.
Celebrate designers, development stories and ideas that improve education environments. Make the contribution behind a product more visible.
Build understanding.
Share better practice.
Help the industry understand design provenance, intellectual property and responsible product development through practical resources and expert conversations.
Create space for
constructive dialogue.
Advance fair, evidence-led dialogue on design integrity, with respect for different perspectives and a focus on constructive resolution.
03 / Design integrity
Originality at our core.
Fairness in our approach.
Originality matters. So does the way we discuss it. These principles underpin EDIC’s approach to design integrity and its Design Integrity Charter.
01
Evidence before conclusions
Similarity alone does not establish copying. Development history, function, chronology and both parties’ evidence must be considered.
02
A fair opportunity to respond
A concern remains an allegation until a fair review is complete. Every party should have an opportunity to be heard.
03
Independence in decisions
Commercial interests must be declared. Anyone with a conflict must step away from the assessment and decision.
04
Room for lawful competition
Encourage innovation and genuine choice. Membership must not be used to restrict lawful market entry or disadvantage non-members.
05
Respect for legal processes
EDIC’s purpose is education, design integrity and responsible dialogue. It does not determine legal IP ownership or replace courts and legal advice.
04 / A shared industry commitment
A united voice
for design integrity.
EDIC’s membership framework spans the people and organisations that create, specify, supply and use education products.
Manufacturers & technology companies
Investing in product development, engineering and new solutions for learning.
Designers & architects
Shaping products, spaces and experiences that respond to education’s changing needs.
Dealers & industry organisations
Connecting original ideas with schools and supporting responsible supply.
Educators, universities & researchers
Bringing the needs of learners and the next generation of designers into the conversation.
Membership applications are open. Apply to join EDIC →
Our Design Integrity Charter
Shared principles.
A responsible approach.
Original work deserves recognition. Questions about design deserve evidence, fairness and an opportunity for every party to respond.
Read the draft charter →The draft charter remains subject to council approval. Membership is a commitment to responsible practice, not certification of individual products.
Recognise original work
Consider evidence before conclusions
Declare commercial interests
Respect lawful competition
05 / The council
Built to serve
the wider industry.
EDIC’s governance principles place impartiality, accountability and balanced industry representation at the centre of the council’s work.
Co-founder & Chair
Jolene Levin
Co-founder & Industry Engagement Lead
Darren Buttle
Co-founder & Industry Engagement Lead
Heidi Välimäki
External IP Counsel
Graham Wood
Accountability & transparency
The governance framework sets out independent leadership, transparent support arrangements and clear conflict-of-interest rules. Funding or practical assistance must not confer influence over assessments or decisions.
The governance framework assigns responsibility for the charter, membership terms, programme and review procedures to the chair and governing council.
Further council appointments and participating organisations are announced following confirmation and consent.
Our commitment: impartiality, evidence and responsible competition.
06 / Questions, answered
About EDIC.
What kinds of design does EDIC cover?
EDIC’s scope covers education furniture, learning-environment products and education technology — including physical products and connected solutions.
Is EDIC a certification or enforcement body?
EDIC is an industry council focused on design integrity, education and responsible innovation. It does not provide legal adjudication or enforcement. Any formal review service requires approved procedures before it operates.
Can I join or submit a concern yet?
You can apply for membership using the Join EDIC section. Applications are reviewed before membership is confirmed. Design-integrity concern submissions are not yet open; the council will publish the contact route and review procedures when available.
Does membership prove a product is original?
No. Membership signifies a commitment to responsible design and fair competition. It is not a guarantee of originality, legal clearance, safety or product quality.
07 / Downloads
Council documents & resources.
Explore EDIC’s purpose, Design Integrity Charter and background resources. Draft documents are identified below and remain subject to council approval.
Council overview
EDIC’s mission, industry scope, membership framework and priorities.
Download PDF — Council overviewDesign Integrity Charter
Draft principles for originality, fair review, conflicts of interest and responsible competition.
Download PDF — Design Integrity CharterTrade dress explained
An introductory explanation of trade dress in U.S. trademark law. Background reading, not legal advice.
Download PDF — Trade dress explainedMake room for the next idea.
A stronger culture of design integrity starts with a shared commitment to the people creating better possibilities for education.
Join EDIC
Put your commitment
into action.
Join a community championing original design, responsible innovation and professional integrity across education.
Tell us about your organisation, select your areas of expertise and share your logo and up to four showcase images for your member profile.
Apply for membership ↗Applications are reviewed before membership is confirmed and profiles are published. Submitting an application does not commit your organisation to payment.