Dids Macdonald, CEO of ACID (which stands for Anti Copying in Design) has been nominated for the First Women Awards 2014. The nomination in the Business Services category demonstrates Dids’ unwavering contribution to the design sector.  According to Dids:

‘Design is all around us – from iconic to everyday, the zeitgeist of our past and the architect of our future. From Edison to Ipod, Mackintosh to Conran and Brunel to Westwood, these are just some of the many familiar names that evoke design excellence.

Design has been an unsung hero in the UK economy. Surprisingly so, since Its 350,000 army of lone, micro and SME designers contribute a staggering 33.5 billion pounds to the UK economy.  However, with success, for many, comes a real threat. Theft. Imitation isn’t flattery if it costs you your business'.

Dids has been a passionate lobbyist for designers' rights, and her campaigning has led to the criminalisation of certain types of design infringement in the UK. She has also worked to establish ACID's 'Mediate to Resolve' programme.