Testimonials from participants

“None of us is as smart as all of us” comes to mind when reflecting on this fantastic program. The leadership and faculty at the AIGA Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders program make participants feel like they are at the very heart of the matter, collectively. There’s not time for the periphery in this program. It provides a framework for critical thinking for critical (very) creative thinkers, and a balance of finance, ethics and leadership that none of us can afford to be without.”
Scott S. Williams, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

“If you’re a designer who wants to understand how business works—for both you and your clients—this one week will change your life.“
Michael Bierut, Pentagram Design

“This week was more than worth the time and money. I came back energized, with new ideas about how to think about our business and our clients’ businesses. Bring an open mind and don't worry if you feel like you don't know what to expect. Do your best to finish all the readings in advance! You definitely do not want to miss out on the steadily excellent off-line conversations.”
James Bradley, Chase Design Group

“This course has been such an eye-opener for me, both in regards to the different angles of approach facilitated by the HBS faculty, but also in regards to the high standards it which the program was executed. My high expectations were completely exceeded. The study-groups and overall networking that occurred throughout the week contributed to this very special experience.”
Lise Vejse Klint, Trademarkers.dk

“For me, the residual value in the AIGA/Harvard program comes from immersion into such a stimulating environment. It’s a week spent away from our workaday lives, with a group of outstanding peer professionals and accomplished professors considering business challenges in a new and more comprehensive way. I found the format to be lively and often surprising, and the bond formed with fellow attendees is likely to have lasting impact on my professional life.”
Michael Lejeune, Metro Design Studio

“The AIGA Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders program surpassed all my expectations in both form and content. The exceedingly well-organized logistics paved the way for universally relevant learning and discussion. It was delightful to go back to school and experience learning without consequence, not to mention the continuity and stimulation of discussion with fellow participants at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The caliber of the other participants was a true plus in the program, as was the expertise, energy level, and preparation of the instructors. I highly recommend this program.”
Jen Bilik, Knock Knock

“One of the most energizing life experiences—due to the fact that it attracts the most energizing people. Extremely worthwhile and immediately impactful. The ability to tap into the HBS library of case studies and faculty has already proved to be an invaluable resource for discussions with clients.”
Craig Welsh, Go Welsh

“I found the AIGA Business Perspectives for Design Leaders experience at Harvard to be intellectually challenging and very inspiring. This was a true Executive education experience. It was great to have deep and meaningful business conversations within a design context. I would recommend the experience to other designers, particularly practice leaders looking for insights regarding how business leaders think.”
Elizabeth Pastor, Humantific

“The AIGA/Harvard Business School Program was the highlight of my summer. I was inspired by the academic challenges, I was riveted by the enthusiasm of the professors, and I was enthralled by the people in the program. It felt like a “freshman year“ experience compacted into one amazing week. I didn't want to leave!”
Elicia Putnam, The Shop

“If you’re considering attending the AIGA|HBS program, go for it! I loved every minute of it, and came away with a much deeper understanding of business concepts, strategic planning, competitive strategy and finance. It’s hard to know what the best part was—the faculty, the fascinating exchange of ideas, the other attendees, the staff—the whole experience was tremendously rewarding. It is a truly excellent program, and I learned much I could immediately use. I’d go every year if I could.”
Janet DeDonato, Methodologie

Testimonials from designers who attended the program in 2003

“My big takeaway is that business is not a “thing,” but a system of thinking about products, people, problems and pecuniary issues. Design thinks about this stuff, too, but within a fairly narrow band. The AIGA|HBS program made me think twice about age-old assumptions I had about the business world and I will never think the same way again.”
Gong Szeto, Szeto Partners

“The very name Harvard raises your expectations—and fears—to an unrealistic level. Amazingly, though, the week surpassed what I could have imagined. Not only did I confront and scale the things I knew I didn’t know, but I confronted things I thought I knew only to come to know them more deeply. Harvard professors are my new heroes.”
Tod Martin, EAI

“Attending the AIGA|HBS Program literally changed my view of the relationship of design and business. The program is designed to challenge and deconstruct our assumptions about business and it provides hands on strategies to shape new conversations about the value of design as seen from the eyes of C-level executives. I learned amazing things about myself and fellow designers. It was one of the best investments I have made in my career and the new friendships are beyond measure.”
Ann Willoughby, Willoughby Design Group

“The course at HBS was remarkable. I can now see more clearly and directly the dynamics of the business environment. This understanding has also helped propel me into a more strategic and proactive process of business planning for my firm.”
David Gibson, Two Twelve Associates

"This class was amazing. I wrote ten pages in my journal on the flight home because I was so inspired. I am more energized than I can remember since starting this company. I have already talked to several CEOs I deal with daily about changes I want to make in how we work and they are psyched. I have used the word “profitability” more in one day than ever before. I didn’t think it was possible to learn that much in one week. Harvard’s reputation is clearly founded in its incredible teachers."
Katherine Jones, Milkshake Media

“I am just back from a new business meeting at which I felt so empowered and presented what we offer in such a different way that my partner turned and looked at me with amazement and said ‘You were unbelievable! Did you learn all that in one week at Harvard?’ It was life altering, empowering, frightening and so worth the investment!”
MaeLin Levine, visual asylum

“Excellent instructors, intense classes, great company. The AIGA|HBS program put into perspective what tools are required to lead in the marketplace of today and tomorrow, not form a design perspective, but from a business perspective, which makes all the difference. Additionally, it offered the very finest in networking among design professionals. Worth every dime and then some?”
Peter Scherrer, studio mousetrap

“Personally, I found the program one of the most invigorating educational experiences I have had in my career. We rarely get a n opportunity to remove ourselves from the daily challenges of managing the minutiae of our businesses and experience the bigger picture in such an intense and intellectual way.”
Barbara Cohen, Cohen and Company

“1. Go! Five intense days that’ll improve the way you think and work for the rest of your career. You’ll feel smarter but leave wanting more.
2. Mind opening concepts AND everyday applications—plus great people to learn with and from.
3. Essential information that you didn’t know you needed—and now can’t do without.”
Laurie Churchman, University of Pennsylvania

“A revealing experience! It has become much clearer to me how most of our clients think and function. For a whole week, I was trained the same way that they’re trained for life: think ‘profitability’... it was worth every minute and every penny!”
Marian Nunez, Aji Pinatao

“I found the experience at Harvard one of the most fulfilling and meaningful experiences of my professional and academic career.”
Debbie Millman, Sterling Brands

“A mind-altering experience! I will never approach ad new business presentation the same way again. You can’t effectively position your company to raise the perceived value of your design work if you do not know the real parameters by which you will be judged. The AIGA|HBS program provided me with tremendous insight into C-level thinking.”
Bennett Peji, Peji Design

“After a few weeks of distilling my experience at Harvard Business School, what I keep coming back to is the work focus—aligning all of a business’s activities to seamlessly reinforce each other.”
Leslie Smolan, Carbone Smolan Agency

“The AIGA|HBS Program validated and codified my business knowledge. It gave the saying ‘You don’t know what you don’t know’ a new reference point. For those who think they know it all or business school is for anal-retentive types, think again. You’ll be surprised!”
Clement Mok

“The discussions outside of the classroom were just as interesting as the ones inside. There were genuine conversations happening all over the place (egos in check). I recall numerous conversations about managing risk, capital expenditures relating to buying property or moving to larger offices, one firm’s approach to creating an ethical and effective incentive program for its employees, and a succession strategy for exiting the business and ensuring its prosperity after a partner or partners choose to move on to new things.

I have never been exposed to the intellect and passion that the HBS professors possessed about their subjects. It is no wonder that Harvard has the worldwide reputation that it does.

As I rode the elevators up and down all week with different executives from global conglomerates who were studying the same principles, I couldn’t help but think that this was exactly where I wanted to be: equal, but a whole lot more interesting.”
Jeff Zwerner, Factor Design

“This wasn’t about running my business better, managing my team or designing better looking things. This was about thinking in new ways, understanding the context of our profession and having a short look through a keyhole to this profession’s future.”
Sean Adams, AdamsMorioka

“Meeting with all levels of design professionals on an even playing field, the AIGA|HBS Program and faculty seem to have the power to turn the designer’s brain inside out. It is a completely exciting and stimulating experience in business which would be beneficial for all design professionals.”
Jude Glenzer, Miro Design