AIGA Launches Disaster Relief Task Force Efforts

First responses
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, AIGA has created a Disaster Task Force and begun to focus efforts on providing assistance to design professionals who were directly impacted. AIGA has approximately 250 members living and working in the Gulf Coast region. At this time, it appears that most have managed to leave the disaster area with their families and most are in safety within 600 miles of their homes. These devastated designers are beginning to contact AIGA to let us know what their situation is and how we can help them. Many have lost their homes, jobs and studios, while others are completely uncertain of their situation because they are unable to return to survey the damage. Meanwhile, hundreds of AIGA members have already responded, offering compassion and contributions to help those affected.

There are typically three stages of disaster response:

• Emergency occurs in the first weeks, with the focus on search and rescue, temporary shelter, medical services, food and water. This stage is usually accomplished through the Red Cross, FEMA and other trained agencies.
• Relief focuses on short-term housing, health services and employment counseling; it may last up to six months and is provided by individuals, agencies and organizations.
• Recovery is characterized by rebuilding that may last several years.

AIGA's efforts will focus on relief and recovery. Initially, the Disaster Task Force will coordinate pairing the needs of design professionals and students with the contributions being offered (including, but not limited to, equipment, work, schooling, space and funding). These offers to help will be publicly posted online so that peers can directly help peers.

It is important to note that storm victims’ needs are actively being assessed and not all victims of the storm have checked in yet. To deliver the relief aid, AIGA will be partnering with Displaced Designer. These efforts are being coordinated by former AIGA president, William Drenttel and The Chopping Block, Inc. principal, Matthew Richmond, whose firm developed the Displaced Designer site. We are also in the process of creating practical information to be made available online.

AIGA has established a Relief Fund of $10,000. Some members have chosen to donate to this Fund; contributions will go toward providing basic support to get affected designers back in business.

Eventually, the Disaster Task Force will create a handbook and set of tools so that AIGA can help in future crisis situations. In addition, AIGA will be seeking to make contact at the national level with FEMA to offer assistance in way-finding and other communication support in the relief and recovery efforts for the Gulf Coast and in future disaster situations.

How AIGA members can help

We request that all members in the affected areas sign in online at www.aiga.org/reliefeffort.

This form is also where willing volunteers can register to let the Task Force know what they can contribute. You can offer equipment, work, space, school facilities and other needed assistance. Use this service for all inquiries and offers so that we can make sure your generous contributions are logged into our central relief database.

If you would prefer to contribute funds, checks should be made out to “AIGA Disaster Relief Fund.” Please mail to:
AIGA Disaster Relief
164 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010

The funds will be used to facilitate opportunities for designers to recover their practices. All funds given to the AIGA relief fund will benefit designers. No monies will go to administrative expenses or other general purposes. Some funds, however, may be used by AIGA chapters in the affected areas to establish networking and support systems.

Note: Humanitarian aid, or money intended for this purpose, should be given to general agencies such as the Red Cross.

AIGA Design Conference in Boston

To help inform the effort, two sessions will be added to the AIGA Design Conference program: one on how to be most effective in aiding relief in the Gulf Coast area and a second on what this dreadful experience suggests in terms of the power of design to aid emergency procedures and evacuation. Details will be provided on the conference site and at the conference.