Chapter Spotlight: AIGA Salt Lake City

December 01, 2009 Filed Under: AIGA Chapter Spotlight 0 Comments

AIGA Salt Lake City
Number of members: 197
Year Chapter was founded: 1988

1. What is your Chapter's proudest recent accomplishment?
Last June, our chapter was part of the Utah Arts Festival for the first time. The festival is one of the largest in the country with over 80,000 patrons over the four day event. AIGA Salt Lake City was asked to host an interactive workshop and booth during the festival that people could participate in. We developed the Revinylize Project where we reclaimed thousands of square feet of vinyl and gave it new life in the form of unique vinyl bags. We held daily workshops where participants created their own vinyl bags, as well as, sold pre-made messenger bags and wallets. Throughout the event, we encouraged social awareness through the power of creativity and the value that AIGA has in our community.

The Revinylize Booth quickly became the most popular of the entire festival. With enormous lines for each workshop, we had people of all ages learning about AIGA as they created their own pieces of urban art. The visibility our chapter received has been astounding and the project continues to grow in our community.

After launching the web site, revinylize.com, we were a part of the 20/20 segment of the National AIGA conference in Memphis. We continue to empower the public to use design thinking to stimulate thought, dialog and action by holding workshops, community events and local projects.

2. Tell us about your Chapter's Design Competition.
The AIGA Salt Lake City 100 Show, is our region's most prestigious juried competition, honoring and showcasing the year's best design, advertising and digital media. Both print and interactive entries are judged by some of the most recognized names in the design community. Of the 100 pieces selected, only 10 entries are awarded the Copper Ingot, one of the most sought-after communication awards in the Intermountain West.

The annual 100 show is held each spring and draws the region's elite community of designers together in a formal evening event. The 2009 show was held in the Salt Lake Public Library, one of the most unique structures in our city with elements including logo and wayfinding designed by Pentagram. This show was the first ever to display the winning pieces in a public exhibit both during and following the event. Past judges include Joel Templin, Petrula Vrontikis, Terry Marks, Deborah Sussman and many more.

3. What are some design trends or influences that are unique to your Chapter's city?
One design trend unique to Salt Lake City is the world of scrapbooking. Salt Lake has been dubbed the scrapbooking capital of the world. Because of Utah's love for crafts as well as genealogy, this industry has grown incredibly in the past decade. A good portion of our design community works for these types of companies creating patterns, albums, papers, stickers and other embellishments. This world of arts and crafts can be very appealing for a designer as these companies promote creativity and unique ideas. Some of the local leading companies include Making Memories, American Crafts, and Basic Grey.

4. If we were to visit your Chapter's city, what are three must-sees for a visiting designer?
Salt Lake Public Library
The Salt Lake Public Library was designed not only to be an architecturally striking landmark but also to be the new information center and gathering spot for the 21st century. With elements such as logo and wayfinding designed by Pentagram, art galleries, cafes, and public meeting spaces, this modern design has become a public gathering space in the heart of the city.

Rice Eccles Olympic Cauldron Park
Adjacent to Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah, site of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Olympic Cauldron Park has preserved the very best memories of the XIX Olympic Winter Games. The purpose of the park is to enable the public to share many of the magical, once in a lifetime, experiences that made the 2002 Olympic Winter Games so unforgettable. Some of the items include the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron, a gallery of images and breathtaking films, and the Hoberman Arch, where athletes received their medals.

National Parks
With 21 National Parks and Monuments within a few hours' drive, Salt Lake is the perfect gateway for some of the world's most acclaimed outdoor escapades. Nearly 80% of of Utah is managed for public use by federal and state agencies – you might say Salt Lake and Utah are a mecca for outdoor (and indoor) sports and recreation.

5. What type of food is your Chapter's city famous for?
Green Jell-O. According to Kraft, Utah residents eat more Jell-O per capita than the other 49 states. Lime is a particular favorite. This Jell-O was *immortalized* during the 2002 Winter Olympics, where pins depicting this dessert were sold. Apparently, Kraft underestimated the demand and they became collectors items.

Utah is also famous for fry sauce, a mixture of mayonnaise, ketchup, and various spices developed by the Salt Lake City fast-food chain Arctic Circle; few restaurants serve a burger or fries without it.

About AIGA Charlotte's Chapter Spotlight
Each month AIGA Charlotte interviews a selected AIGA Chapter. It is a great opportunity for the Charlotte design community to learn about the incredible activities going on within AIGA Chapters across the country.

Written by: Kevin Perry, President, AIGA Salt Lake City