Register for “Gain” by June 6 to save

“Gain: AIGA Design for Social Value Conference” in San Francisco this October brings together the best and the brightest innovators working in design and social good today. The lineup of all-star presenters includes Tomorrow executive director Gaby Brink, Winterhouse founder William Drenttel, Acumen Fund leadership manager Blair Miller, SYPartners executive creative director Susana Rodriguez de Tembleque and Rock Health chief evangelist Leslie Ziegler. Prices increase after June 6, so register now! more-Gain »

Design Leaders maintain confidence in the design economy’s growth

AIGA’s Design Leaders Confidence Index rose again in the first quarter of 2012, demonstrating a continuing surge of optimism in the design industry. Looking ahead, nearly all respondents are confident that the broader economy will improve over the next six months and also believe this economic growth will drive improvements in the design economy in the next six months. more-index »

“Bright Lights” raises funds for special initiatives

Last month, designers from around the country gathered in New York for “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards,” a celebration to honor Ralph Caplan, Elaine Lustig Cohen, Armin Hofmann and Robert Vogele—AIGA's newest medalists. The $30,000 net revenue supports AIGA Archives, Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships and celebrating design legends through the Legacy Fund. See photos from the event and video profiles of the four medalists. more-awards »

Adobe and AIGA bring you a new Breakthroughs webinar series!

Following up on the popularity of last year’s free members-only webinar series, 2012’s six-part Breakthroughs series will focus on designing for mobile. Developed jointly by Adobe and AIGA, this set of Breakthroughs webinars will explore the ways that today’s studios are creating innovative, multi-platform experiences and the tools they’re using to achieve them. Learn new techniques and methodologies that will ensure success when adding mobile to your repertoire! more-webinars »

Only a few seats left for “Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders”

Advance your professional capabilities this July at AIGA’s executive education course with the Yale School of Management. This one-week program focuses on leadership, competitive strategy, operations, financial accounting, negotiations and law and management—to help you become more persuasive and effective in creating change in business, nonprofit and public organizations at the highest levels. Only a few spots remain—submit your application by June 1. more-Yale »

Adobe offers AIGA members discounts on new products

Adobe, AIGA’s official sponsor of Design Solutions, recently announced the release of the Adobe® Creative Cloud™ and Adobe® Creative Suite 6. For a limited time, AIGA members can sign up for annual membership to Creative Cloud for only $29.99 per month. (Not ready for Creative Cloud? You can always upgrade to any of the new CS6 software using your 15 percent AIGA member discount.) more-discounts »

Announcing “Pixels of Fury,” a live design competition sponsored by Shutterstock

AIGA and Shutterstock have come together to present “Pixels of Fury: A Live Creative Inspiration Tournament,” where designers compete under pressure in front of a live audience to answer one big design challenge: What will you inspire us to do? As AIGA’s Official Sponsor for Creative Inspiration, Shutterstock challenges each contestant to inspire every designer to learn something new. Local superstar judges select winners who must conceive and create inspirational posters at breakneck speed using masterful skills. Check the calendar for “Pixels of Fury” events happening across the country this year in San Francisco, Omaha, Baltimore, Denver, St. Louis, Milwaukee and more. more-competition »

NEA awards two grants to AIGA

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded two grants to AIGA! Through the Art Works’ Design program, AIGA received support to develop a national mentorship program to help more chapters encourage middle- and high-school students to pursue design as a career path. And, in the Arts in Media category, support was awarded for 100 Years of Design in America, a series of video portraits of accomplished designers being created in honor of AIGA’s centennial year. more-NEA »

Enter Fast Company’s “Innovation by Design Awards”

Have you designed a brilliant, life-changing device? Has your firm created an inspiring tool for tomorrow? Enter Fast Company’s inaugural “Innovation By Design Awards,” honoring the year’s most innovative designs. Finalists will appear in print and on Co.Design, with winners announced at a gala in New York City in October. Entries are due June 1. more-innovation »

AIGA’s professional members ratify new directors for national board

From member, chapter and design leaders’ nominations, a slate of nominees for AIGA’s national board of directors was selected by the nominating committee and presented to professional-level members for ratification in April. The 2012 slate of nominees was approved, with 93 percent of votes in favor. Learn more about the board members who will begin their terms on July 1. more-board »

Last call for AIGA Medalist recommendations

The AIGA Medal is awarded annually to individuals in recognition of their distinguished achievements, services and contributions to the field of design. Do you have a colleague or mentor who has made a significant impact on the practice of design in the United States? Recommend someone you admire to this year’s AIGA Awards Committee by Friday, May 18. more-nominations »

Follow where chapters “Go!”

Volunteer leaders from AIGA’s 66 chapters are preparing to gather in Salt Lake City from May 31–June 2 for “Go! AIGA Leadership Retreat.” They’ll share insights on Twitter using the hashtag #aigaretreat as they discuss best practices and successes, learn about tools to address a wide variety of issues and collaborate on new ideas to have an impact on local design communities and beyond. more-retreat »

Designing for Social Change: Stumbles to Strategies

By Andrew Shea
Andrew Shea, author of Designing for Social Change, highlights four strategies that will help you better navigate your next social-impact project. more-Shea »

Medalist video: Robert Vogele

Robert Vogele was honored with the AIGA Medal this year. Learn about his work and fellow medalists Ralph Caplan, Elaine Lustig Cohen and Armin Hofmann in this series of video portraits. more-videos »

Take advantage of member benefits

Did you know that your AIGA membership gets you discounts on great brands like Adobe, Apple, FedEx, lynda.com, Shutterstock and more? Learn about these and many other benefits offered exclusively to members.

Catch up on the latest news

Missed the last issue of this newsletter? You can still read the March and April issues of Communiqué online.

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