Roundtable Recap

May 15, 2008 Filed Under: Chapter News 2 Comments

In mid-April, AIGA Charlotte held a roundtable discussion with a small group of its members ranging from students to seasoned designers. The main goal of the roundtable was to explore how to encourage members to feel comfortable and become more actively involved in the AIGA community and to explore what else members are looking to AIGA to provide to facilitate their professional growth and deepen their connection with the organization. 

We asked a handful of questions and received quality feedback from the group. Some main points we learned that our members are looking to AIGA to provide were: 

- Build awareness of AIGA in the community and bridge the gap between business and design by educating the local corporate community  that design has a big value and an impact on business. 

- Join efforts with the Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations to lead in educating local businesses and the community about  environmental practices of sustainability and integrate sustainable and ecologically driven design decisions into our design processes  as much as possible. 

- Since most designers wear many hats, the members want to learn more about and/or see more events geared towards the business side of design to gain a greater sense and balance to run their own businesses efficiently. 

- Keeping up the big name speaker events (ie Talk About with Stefan Sagmeister Sagmeister) as well as to see more lectures and workshops. Possibly have luncheons and/or roundtable discussions with other creative and local organizations to reach a broader audience and community in the future. 

- Members would like to tweak the formats of the already existing AIGA Charlotte events such as having Meet | Market at a different location other than a bar and become more subject oriented. In meeting with our members needs, our next Meet | Market in May is a bowling event with the local ad organization, Ad2 Charlotte. 

- Have AIGA Charlotte work more closely with the local colleges and universities to promote educational events, workshops and the value of AIGA. Continue efforts in helping students gain access for crossover from school to the “real world”, networking, internships and mentors. 

Here’s a sampling of some of the questions asked at our roundtable discussion. Let us know what you think? 

1. How do you define AIGA (not necessarily persuasively)? 

2. When you are explaining to another designer why he or she should join AIGA, what are the most important activities or benefits that you mention to define AIGA’s positive role? 

3. What was the most valuable AIGA program, local or national, you participated in the past year? Why was it valuable to you? 

4. What type of programming would you like to see offered in the future? 

5. What would help to make you more active and welcome in our chapter? 

Written by: Rachel Martin | Membership Director | AIGA Charlotte