As a design student or recent graduate, your focus is often on perfecting your portfolio, preparing for degree shows, or making a splash at events like New Designers. But there’s one thing that’s just as important as your final project: protecting the ideas behind it.

Your intellectual property (IP) — the designs, illustrations, products, and brand concepts you’ve created — is a valuable asset. In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, it’s easier than ever for ideas to be copied, reused, or exploited without your permission. And unfortunately, student and graduate work is increasingly at risk of infringement.

That’s why thinking about IP from the start is so important. Knowing your rights, understanding how to protect your work, and taking simple steps like documenting your designs can help safeguard your creativity and future income. It also sends a strong message: my ideas are worth something — and I know how to defend them.

ACID (Anti Copying in Design) will be at New Designers 2025 to chat with students and graduates about all things IP. Whether you’re just starting to explore the world of intellectual property or you’ve already had concerns about copying, we’re here to help with free advice and practical tools.

Watch our video below to get the essentials on why IP matters — and how to start protecting your designs today.

Take a look at ACID Student Membership