AIGA’s design community gathered in New York City on April 19, 2012 for the second annual “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards” celebration, honoring the extraordinary lives and careers of four AIGA Medalists whose exemplary work has inspired and defined the profession: Ralph Caplan, influential author and design advocate; Elaine Lustig Cohen, pioneering graphic designer, artist and archivist; Armin Hofmann, legendary Swiss graphic designer and educator; and Robert Vogele, ground-breaking design entrepreneur and mentor. “Bright Lights” was co-chaired by DJ Stout, Pentagram and Su Mathews, Lippincott. This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our supporters!

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Meet the medalists

Learn more about each of the four design legends honored with the prestigious AIGA Medal at the 2012 “Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards” celebration:

	Influential author and design advocate Ralph Caplan was recognized for turning his discerning eye, deftness with words and wonderful sense of humor toward defining design over half a century through writing, editing and teaching. View the video profile | Read Ralph’s biography
	Pioneering graphic designer, artist and archivist Elaine Lustig Cohen was recognized for her body of design work integrating European avant-garde and modernist influences into a distinctly American, mid-century manner of typographic communication. View the video profile | Read Elaine’s biography
	Legendary Swiss graphic designer and educator, Armin Hofmann was recognized for his immeasurable influence on generations of designers, teaching the power and elegance of simplicity and clarity through a timeless aesthetic, always informed by context. View the video profile | Read Armin’s biography
	Groundbreaking design entrepreneur and mentor Robert Vogele was recognized for being a business strategist and visionary who nurtured the creative potential of generations of Chicago designers, challenging all to think about design for the greater good. View the video profile | Read Robert’s biography

About this event

“Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards” is an annual celebration to honor the distinguished practitioners, educators and role models whose creativity, intelligence, perception and skill have inspired and shaped the entire design profession. Proceeds from the event benefit the AIGA Design Archives, Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships and the Legacy Fund, an endowment to secure the future of AIGA, the professional association for design.

The evening kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception to mingle with old friends and meet new ones. At 7:30 p.m. the evening's program began, featuring presentation of the AIGA Medal for lifetime achievement in design and the premiere of videos about each medalist by award-winning filmmakers dress code. Then from 8:30–10:00 p.m., guests had the chance to congratulate the newly minted AIGA Medalists and enjoy another round of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music and conversation.