JUROR 2011

Leimei has spent most of her adult life working to help designers and students of design promote their work across national and cultural barriers. Born in Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), raised and educated in the United States and later in Japan, she has acquired a diverse cultural and academic foundation. Leimei specializes in international policies on creative cities and has worked with governments and academic institutions across Europe, North America and the Pan Pacific Rim to implement design policies and strategic visions for the development of creative industries.

She has lectured at design conferences and academic institutions in over 31 countries. From 1997 to 2001, Julia served as an Icograda Vice President and Executive Board Member of the International Council Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) from 2007-2009. A recipient of Icograda President’s Award, she has served on numerous competition juries including Adobe Design Achievement Awards, APCI Award, BIO, Red Dot Design Concept Award, Red Star Award, Brno Biennial, Design for Asia Award, Most Successful Award, SABS Design Excellence Award, World Design Leadership Award, World Package Organization Competition and the Good Design Award.

Founded in 1963, Icograda (the International Council of Graphic Design Associations) is the world body for communication design, with over 200 member organizations (design promotion centers, professional design organizations, academic institutions and corporate members) in 129 cities and 67 countries. Icograda maintains consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO and WIPO. Icograda is a member of IFRRO and is in liaison with technical committees of ISO.

Leimei becomes Icograda's first female President Elect. She will preside over the Council's 50 anniversary celebrations in 2013 when she assumes her presidency for the 2011-2013 term.