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Mentoring in the Design Professions

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:46:12 GMT

Despite the connectedness of the current business world, aspiring design professionals face new challenges in the age-old problem of getting noticed, especially by the elite practitioners. George Nelson’s wit and insights helped me understand design as both a serious profession and a creative adventure. Here are a few of his choice observations and some thoughts on the special relationship we know as mentoring.

The 10 Building Blocks of Design Studio Culture

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:39:58 GMT

Culture is everything people in a design business do that supports the process of making work happen. Culture can create joy for designers, while improvements in process can facilitate profit.

What Aspiring Designers Need to Know About Strategy

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:55:32 GMT

If you’re going to run a design-led business, it’s inevitable that you will need to talk strategy with your clients. Here are some of the types of strategies you might create as a design businessperson, plus some thoughts on how these different strategies might support the efforts of your clients.

A Place Where I Thrive

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:54:06 GMT

I’ve been an AIGA member since I moved to Raleigh in 2009, and in that time I have gained so much through what I have given to the chapter. As a chapter, our mission is to create a place where design thrives. What I found through my involvement with AIGA Raleigh is a place where I thrive, too.

Mommy in a Designer's World

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:48:53 GMT

As a mother of two and a full-time art director at Savage, I regularly battle the ups and downs of being a mom in a designer’s world. Although it can be overwhelming at times, it can also be highly rewarding. As everyone handles the balance in their own way, I’ve assembled some thoughts and advice for creative working mothers.

Video: Outside Perspective from In-house Creatives

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:17:42 GMT

Curious about what goes on in-house at ESPN, Design Within Reach and LEGO®? Creative leaders from these teams came together to discuss their work and offer a glimpse of their day-to-day operations for an in-house event organized by AIGA Connecticut and The Creative Group.

Beyond Borders: An exhibition of contemporary posters from Iran

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:44:14 GMT

It’s rare for American audiences to have access to the wealth of graphic design that is currently being created in Iran. Recently, a team of designers, writers and scholars have convened to curate a collection of contemporary Iranian design and exhibit it in the United States.

Confessions of an Undercover Innie

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:29:59 GMT

As in-house designers, we often become immersed in our companies, causing us to lose perspective on our assignments and, more insidiously, on appropriate behaviors and ethics. Learn to identify if you’ve fallen prey to “brand blindness” and adopted the company culture wholesale, and use your creativity to improve the culture instead.

Make / Grow / Live

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:33:16 GMT

If instances of self-questioning about working in-house become a catalyst for self-doubt, why not redirect some of that energy toward constructive self-evaluation? We can’t count on having control over everything that affects our design careers, but we can establish focus, build accountability and develop a newfound sense of assurance about our professional trajectory in-house.

Building Your In-house: 10 Ways to Grow and Sustain an In-house Career

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:35:04 GMT

It takes a special right brain/left brain blend of interests and skills to succeed as an in-house designer. These 10 strategies will help you develop your expertise, strengthen your reputation and ultimately build a successful career in the “in-house neighborhood.”

The Studio is the World: Educating Tomorrow's Designers

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:28:09 GMT

All around us, we see organizations and communities that need to change. The job for design is everywhere. I would like the people who come through our design education program to become embedded in thousands of places, helping our species evolve from selfish users of resources to expanders and creators of resources. And for that, while there is no “studio” involved, we hope you join us.

Video: William Drenttel & Jessica Helfand

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:59:55 GMT

A short film about William Drenttel and Jessica Helfand, who were both awarded the AIGA Medal at “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards Gala” in New York City in April 2013.

Video: John Bielenberg

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:48:45 GMT

A short film about designer, entrepreneur and social advocate John Bielenberg, who was awarded the AIGA Medal at “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards Gala” in New York City in April 2013.

Video: Stefan Sagmeister

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:47:00 GMT

A short film about designer Stefan Sagmeister, who was awarded the AIGA Medal at “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards Gala” in New York City in April 2013.

Video: Jonathan Hoefler & Tobias Frere-Jones

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:36:11 GMT

A short film about type designers Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones, who were awarded the AIGA Medal at “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards Gala” in New York City in April 2013.

Video: Lucille Tenazas

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:07:11 GMT

A short film about design educator and practitioner Lucille Tenazas, who was awarded the AIGA Medal at “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards Gala” in New York City in April 2013.

Video: Wolfgang Weingart

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:46:04 GMT

A short film about designer and instructor Wolfgang Weingart, who was awarded the AIGA Medal at “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards Gala” in New York City in April 2013.

Video: Rainbow Skateboard

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:33:06 GMT

AIGA member Jessi Arrington made this video about creating her skateboard for “Bordo Bello,” an annual skateboard art show hosted by AIGA Colorado. Her skateboard design is one of many on view at the AIGA National Design Center in New York City April 22–July 2, 2013.

Pay Up KCP&L

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 02:08:51 GMT

A public campaign that brought together a local coalition of labor, faith, student and community organizations—including Occupy Kansas City—to demand that the utility company KCP&L pay its fair share in taxes and stop raising rates on Kansas City’s “99 percent.”

Now's Our Time

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:46:53 GMT

Finally. The rest of the world has caught on. Everyone knows it: design matters. We’re no longer the weirdos hidden away in fancy studios kerning type. All eyes are on us. So how do we respond? What bold moves do we make? How do we change the way we work to truly deliver on the power of design?