Students » Organizations » AIGA (Graphic Design)

Student Membership in AIGA

Student Chapter

SDSU has a very active AIGA Student Group, which schedules regular student events and activities with the professional community, such as studio tours, portfolio reviews, panel discussions, and workshops. AIGA student groups throughout the city meet to plan citywide events.

About AIGA

"AIGA(external link), the professional association for design, is the place design professionals turn to first to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research and advance education and ethical practice. AIGA sets the national agenda for the role of design in its economic, social, political, cultural and creative contexts. AIGA is the oldest and largest membership association for professionals engaged in the discipline, practice and culture of designing. Founded as the American Institute of Graphic Arts in 1914 as a small, exclusive club, AIGA now represents 22,000 designers through national activities and local programs developed by 59 chapters and 240 student groups.

AIGA serves designers with five critical functions for a profession:

  • Information
  • Communication
  • Inspiration
  • Validation
  • Representation

AIGA is authoritative in promoting and communicating standards for ethical conduct and professional expertise and in collecting and analyzing data about the profession. It is stimulating in its provocative programming on critical issues facing design and in celebration of both effective and innovative design, a source of inspiration for many members. And it is open to new ideas, new professional disciplines and the ever-evolving nature of design...." --(read more from AIGA's mission statement(external link))

Becoming a Member

Please contact Professor Susan Merrit at smerrit@mail.sdsu.edu for more information on membership.

This page was last updated at 12:03PM on July 11, 2008