Learn Where AIGA is headed at our Annual Meeting

November 26, 2008 Filed Under: 0 Comments

AIGA Charlotte has undoubtedly flourished over the past year.  From informational workshops, to hosting Stephen Sagimeister and Sean Adams, to the success of BOOM!, to membership growth, it’s easy to see why we’re considered one of the chapters to watch.  But while we have much we can celebrate, AIGA Charlotte also recognizes the need to move forward, continuing to aid our members in developing new skills, insights, ideas, and sources of inspiration.  Our Annual Meeting is the perfect time to reflect on our growth and inspirations and no one is a better speaker on the topic than Debbie Millman.  Please join us in welcoming her to Charlotte!

Debbie Millman has been creating work based on the principals of honesty, energy, and integrity for the past 25 years.  She is a partner and president of the design division at Sterling Brands, a leading identity firm with offices in New York, San Francisco, London, and Singapore.  Their “team" is composed of over 100 professionals worldwide, growing by double digits every year.  In the 13 years Debbie has been at Sterling Brands she’s had the pleasure of working with many household names such as Kraft, MTV, Star Wars, Nestle, and Campbell’s.  Her passion for branding is evident in her work, delivering inspiring, highly effective, and timeless work.  Good examples are the redesign of the Burger King logo, while still looks fresh after ten years, and the global roadmap for the growth of the Dove brand, currently challenging the world to reconsider “real beauty.”

Debbie Milliman’s progress and accomplishments do not end with Sterling Brands.  She is also a board member of the National AIGA.  In May 2006, Debbie completed her term as secretary, treasurer and sponsorship chair of the New York board of the AIGA where she worked to raise money for the chapter, participated in many of the chapter’s events and served as a mentor at the High School of Art & Design. During this time, she’s attended the inaugural AIGA Harvard Business School program "Business Perspectives for Design Leaders" in 2003, was on the board of the AIGA Center of Brand Experience from 1998-2002, and presented a Corporate Leadership award at the AIGA Design Legends Gala in 2005. 

Recognizing the importance of mentoring, Debbie also teaches at the School of Visual Arts and Fashion Institute of Technology. She is an author on the design blog Speak Up, a regular contributor to Print Magazine and she hosts a weekly Internet talk show on the Voice America Business network titled Design Matters. Allworth Press published her first book, “How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer,” and in 2007, and Rotovision published her second, “Essential Principles of Graphic Design,” in summer, 2008.  Be sure to pick up your copy of her newest book at the AIGA Charlotte Annual Meeting on Thursday, December 11th!

Written by: Ashley Dewitt, Local Events Coordinator, AIGA Charlotte