“Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards Gala” took place in New York City on April 19, 2013. This night of cocktails, conversation and celebration supported key initiatives and honored eight designers with the AIGA Medal. Thank you to our event co-chairs, committees and supporters—this event would not be possible without your generosity!
Meet the medalists
Learn more about each of the design legends honored with the prestigious AIGA Medal at the 2013 “Bright Lights” celebration:
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Designer, entrepreneur and imaginative advocate for a better world, John
Bielenberg was recognized for innovative investigations into
the practice and understanding of design and leadership in the “design
for good”
movement.
Watch the video profile | Read John’s biography |
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Designer,
theorist and publisher William Drenttel was recognized for
advancing critical thinking about design; for his long-standing
commitment to integrating design strategy into organizations; for
expanding design’s role in social innovation; and for his work as
cofounder, editor and publisher of Design Observer.
Designer,
educator and writer Jessica Helfand was recognized as an incisive
critic; a pioneer in design practice and education; an innovator of new
forms of visual narrative; and for her work as cofounder of Design
Observer.
Watch the video profile | Read their biography |
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Type designers extraordinaire Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias
Frere-Jones were recognized for their contributions to the typographic
landscape through impeccable craftsmanship, skilled historical reference and
insightful vernacular considerations.
Watch the video profile | Read their biography |
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Inspirational
and intriguing designer Stefan Sagmeister was recognized for a
career based on imaginative and often unorthodox design solutions to
both commercial and social communication challenges, which often reveal
design’s potential for addressing vexing social problems within popular
culture.
Watch the video profile | Read Stefan’s biography |
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Design
educator and practitioner Lucille Tenazas was recognized for her
prominent role in translating postmodern ideas into critical design
practice; her exploration of the relationship between type,
photography and language; and the development and leadership of
highly-respected design education programs—always with exquisite
execution.
Watch the video profile | Read Lucille’s biography |
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Designer
and instructor Wolfgang Weingart was recognized for his typographic
explorations and teaching at the Schule für Gestaltung Basel, and who,
through the work of his students, created a more experimental and
expressive approach to typography that has been influential around the
world.
Watch the video profile | Read Wolfgang’s biography |
Missed this event? Click here to make a tax-deductible donation
in honor of this year's recipients and to support the AIGA Design Archives, Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships and
the AIGA Legacy Fund.
About this event
“Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards Gala” 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 to secure the future of AIGA, the professional association for design.
The evening kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with a
cocktail reception, then at 7:30 p.m. the evening’s program began, featuring the 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 9:00 to 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.