AIGA Member Meetups
Introducing a pilot program exclusive to AIGA members for networking, conversation, and community. Every meetup brings together voices from across the AIGA community for intimate and real conversations covering a wide range of design-related topics. Join us to help navigate challenges, opportunities, and issues facing designers today.
Topics & Themes
Career Transition and Resiliency
Design Leadership
Change by Design
Industry Trends
Design and Life
Professional Craft
Register to Attend
This event is free and exclusive for all AIGA members. Session availability is released monthly.
Have questions? Email aiga_registrar@aiga.org
The 2021 Member Meetup pilot program has concluded.
Watch for more member exclusive content and opportunities to connect in 2022!
These virtual synchronous meetups will be highly conversational and participatory. You’ll drive the conversations by sharing your own experiences and listening to those of fellow AIGA members. Sessions are not recorded for the privacy of our participants. Sessions are 45 minutes long.
Don’t miss this new opportunity to build connections and meet your peers within our community!
This is a pilot. What happens after these end?
We will run a total of six meetups in this initial pilot. We’ll conduct a survey at the conclusion to determine demand for continued programming of this nature.
Do I have to be a member to join these sessions?
Yes, all levels of membership are welcome to join these sessions for free.
Are the sessions recorded?
No, these are meant to be candid dialogues among our community members and for the privacy of our participants, sessions will not be recorded.
The session is filled. How can I join?
Sessions will be released at the end of the month. For example, sessions taking place in September will be announced at the end of August. Keep an eye on AIGA communications to ensure you are able to register before all the seats are taken.
Why aren’t more seats available?
We have designed this program so that it’s intimate, to promote open and honest dialogues about important issues our community is facing. As such, each session will be limited to 50 seats.
Do I need to be on camera?
We encourage you to join us however is best for you, but we do ask that you are prepared for a participatory meetup.
Be a Part of the Conversation
Claim your seat in this new pilot series. Become a member of AIGA today.
Meet Your Facilitators
Joseph Carter-Brown
Global UX Manager
Stanley Black & Decker
Meaghan Dee
Associate Professor
Virginia Tech
Lauren Dougherty
Director, Design and User Experience
FS Investments
Timothy Hykes
User Experience Designer
World Wide Technology
Jennifer Marin Jericho
Strategist
Jericho Vinegar Works
Anthony Welborn
Creative/Marketing
Senior Flexonics Pathway
Past Meetups
Design and Coffee Talk
Thursday, October 21 | 12 p.m. ET
Settle back onto our virtual leather couch with your favorite coffee or tea, and hangout with us as we recap this first prototype member meetup series. This series began as furthering the idea that community is one of our big strengths. We've had some great conversations over the course of this series. We're interested in your feedback, especially if you attended more than one session. As we look ahead to offering another series of member meetups, we want to know what you'd find useful or meaningful. So, come spend some time with us in our virtual coffee shop, and let us know!
Design and Growing Your Design Influence
Friday, October 8 | 3 p.m. ET
Do you want your design influence to grow? In this meetup, we will help you grow your design influence through discussion and demonstrate proven examples. We will examine how you can establish trust, build relationships, and extend your influence at all levels of your organization. Register now before space runs out. You won't want to miss this meetup.
Design and Owning UX in a Corporate Environment
Friday, October 1 | 3 p.m. ET
Whether you’re new in the field or a seasoned pro, the life of a UX practitioner varies from organization to organization. You may be breaking through silos,...and it can be exhausting to try. That’s why it’s important to take time to connect with fellow UX professionals to share insights, learn a thing or two, or simply give/gain some encouragement to...Join us as we look to bring to light the perspectives, struggles, or learning experiences of other UX pros from around the country who are navigating the corporate landscape, just like the rest of us.
Design and Impacting Change
Friday, September 17 | 12 p.m. ET
What do you consider to be the most pressing issues of our present moment? In what ways can designers help create positive change? What causes have you dedicated your time to?
In today's member meet-up, we want to hear about what issues (e.g. climate change, systemic racism, COVID-19, access to education) you are tackling with design. This can be a space to share, listen, and connect.
Design and Parenting
Friday, August 27 | 3 p.m. ET
Being an exceptional parent and a top notch professional are things that can coexist, so why not embrace both? Join us, with other parents (mini office mates welcome!) as we network, discuss challenges in doing both, or simply talk shop. Our conversations will range from incorporating little humans into our creative lives, all the way to helping mentor a new designer when your adult child heads down the path of design.
Design and Employment Gaps
Friday, August 13 | 3 p.m. ET
The pandemic has completely disrupted the workforce. Many left their jobs in order to take care of children or ageing family members. Others were let go due to budget cuts. Many more decided to quit, because of fears of face-to-face work requirements. Now that vaccines are more readily available, companies are expanding again, and daycares are re-opening – many are choosing to go back to work.
During our discussion, we want to hear from you all about the challenges you face (or have faced in the past) in having gaps in your employment. Do you have advice for others? What did you do to make the most of your time away from the workforce? (e.g. spend time with family, learn a new skill, go back to school) How have employers reacted when you have a few years "blank" on your resume?
Design and... Kickoff Mixer
Thursday, July 29 | 7 p.m. ET
What event series would be complete without a kickoff? Join our meetup facilitators for a hangout, and instead of us giving you drink tickets, learn very quickly how to make 2 cocktails that anyone should have in their repertoire.
We’ll also invite you to share what topics are on your mind, and what you are seeking to connect with other designers about to help inform and shape future sessions.