JetBlue and Patagonia to receive AIGA Corporate Leadership Award at the Design Legends Gala

NEW YORK, August 10, 2009. The board of directors of AIGA, the professional association for design, has chosen JetBlue and Patagonia to each receive the 2009 AIGA Corporate Leadership Award at the Design Legends Gala on September 17, 2009. Both companies are recognized for the roles they play as perceptive and forward-thinking organizations that have been instrumental in the advancement of design by applying the highest standards as a matter of policy.

Since inception nearly a decade ago, JetBlue has stood apart from the competition by embracing design at every level and demonstrating a new, human-centered approach to the air travel experience. From the ease and accessibility of its website and the interface design on each seatback’s video display to the company’s advertising and newly reopened Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy Airport, design with an interest in simplicity, usability and individuality is at the core of the company’s actions. JetBlue also encourages customers to fly responsibly by purchasing carbon offsets through its Jetting to Green initiative. For its commitment to design excellence and a corporate philosophy that puts people first, JetBlue has earned our admiration.

Patagonia has earned the Corporate Leadership Award not only for being a company that sells well-designed outdoor clothing and equipment. Patagonia clearly embraces an ethos that demonstrates respect for its customers, employees and the environment—and the company has been doing so since long before it became popular to practice sustainability. From pledging transparency about the company’s manufacturing consequences and using recycled materials, to ensuring that production takes place under safe, legal and humane working conditions, Patagonia as a brand represents quality, innovation and authenticity. Additionally, by ensuring that communications are clear, informative, engaging and effective—on Patagonia.com and all its websites, as well as in its beautiful catalogues—Patagonia deserves recognition for considering both design and responsibility across materials, manufacturing and message.

The AIGA Corporate Leadership Award was established in 1980 to recognize the role of perceptive and forward-thinking organizations that have been instrumental in the advancement of design by applying the highest standards, as a matter of policy. The recipients of this award demonstrate respect for the millions whose lives they touch, a rare commitment to consistency and quality, and a model for the successful interaction between aesthetics and pragmatics.

Those who wish to celebrate with JetBlue and Patagonia are invited to attend the Design Legends Gala at the legendary Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on September 17, 2009. In addition to the presentation of this year’s Corporate Leadership Awards, the Gala will include a cocktail reception, silent auction, presentation of the AIGA Medalists, AIGA Fellows from across the United States, and student recipients of the Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships. For more information on the event, visit www.aiga.org/events-gala.

About AIGA

AIGA, the professional association for design, is the premier place for design—to discover it, discuss it, understand it, appreciate it, be inspired by it.

AIGA’s mission is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force. AIGA stimulates thinking about design through journals, conferences, competitions and exhibitions; demonstrates the value of design to business, the public and government officials; and empowers the success of designers at each stage of their careers by providing invaluable educational and social resources.

Founded in 1914, AIGA remains the oldest and largest professional membership organization for design. AIGA now represents more than 22,000 design professionals, educators and students through national activities and local programs developed by 64 chapters and 240 student groups. AIGA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational institution.

For further information, please contact:
Jennifer Bender
Manager, communications and marketing
AIGA | the professional association for design
Tel 212 807 1990   Fax 212 807 1799