AE CUDE—the Australian European Culture & Design group of senior designers—make their knowledge available to the next generation through courses and workshops and assists individuals and small businesses in the design industry. AE CUDE coaches starting professionals and provides business direction and customized advice to strengthen the commercial impact of products and overall business success.

AECUDE is an organization established with the aim to:

> construct relationships and exchanges between European and Australian designers for the advancement of the culture of “country of origin” and businesses in the form of exhibitions, representation and professional coaching

> help promote Australian design culture in Europe by securing high quality articles in the business and design media

> provide professional business guidance to designers wanting to enter foreign and local markets

> conduct market and cultural behaviour research on behalf of design businesses wanting to enter a market

> provide coaching in the culture of design business

> provide structured teaching classes in Best Design Practice 

The AE CUDE group is led by Dr Mieke Leppens who has more than 20 years experience as a practicing designer internationally and 15 years as academic studying the culture & design dynamic worldwide. She was elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing & Commerce in 2003 and was admitted to the Australian College of Education in 1996. She has taught and lectured on design for the last 10 years at university and implemented new design theory and practice as Academic Director at one of Sydney’s private design institute until the formation of AE CUDE. Currently Dr Mieke Leppens is adjunct Professor of Design at Raffles College of Design and Commerce (RCDC) in Sydney where she serves on the Council.

The aim is to be a guide towards success that is both lucrative and prestigious, based soundly on cultural insight and design excellence. Our philosophy is to nurture creativity and to foster the training and development of the design associates to improve the viability of their design practice. On an international platform AE CUDE aims to contribute to the appreciation and visibility of Australian design.