The mission of the communications committee is to position AIGA/LA as the authoritative design resource to members, local designers, those working in design-related industries, local government, media and the general public by telling compelling stories about events and initiatives that advance the design industry, are relevant to our community and promote social change.

Community Manager

Brandie Mata

ART + DESIGN + LOVE = ME · @ARTDESIGNLOVEME

Before Brandie graduated from college she was already a working graphic designer and received a Getty Grant Scholarship. She’s worked as an art instructor with developmentally disabled adults, graphic designer at DUB Magazine, design consultant at AVERY-DENNISON, designer at liveBooks as well as freelanced with other organizations such as CalTech, SWOOP Magazine, FOAM Magazine, Wet Seal, Billabong and Silver Jeans, Co. She is currently Creative Director and partner of Graffiti Beach Magazine and Designer at UGG Australia.

Online Communications Manager

Patricia Aguilar

Patricia Aguilar works as a graphic designer and art director where she is responsible for the design of marketing deliverables and the coordination of marketing projects for print and television. Patricia’s background includes 10 years of experience in web and graphic design. In addition to working as a designer, Patricia was Visual and Performing Arts department chair and taught studio art, digital photography, and graphic design to high school students.

Archivist

Jennifer Burch

Ever curious, Jennifer has immersed herself head first into a variety of mediums – traditional art, film photography, typography, printmaking, digital art, and storyboarding to name a few. If she isn’t drawing in her stack of sketchbooks she’s writing original stories and poring through books of all genres and concepts (while trying not to mentally kern them). Currently, she is pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration and specializing in Entertainment Arts at Art Center College of Design.

Public Relations Manager

Ellen Lutwak

@NameGirl · Community + Communications 

Ellen Lutwak writes press releases, content, copy and grants as well as many, many tweets as @NameGirl. As a packaging copywriter for Mattel, she named hundreds of toys and continues to name sites, services and products. With the newly launched marketing group, CMC, Lutwak rebrands and refreshes marketing communications for a wide range of clients. She’s getting into UX, too. Combining her love of the outdoors and writing, she recently led a walk-and-write nature workshop for WriteGirls.org. She also plays the spoons.

Webmaster

Clay Cooper

Looking · @ClayCooperD

A self-taught computer tech nerd raised on brown rice and spinach, Clay Cooper is a creative observer and director. He improves his creative process by sharing it with others openly and honestly. This methodology stems from his involvement and incredible respect for the open source web community. Although, he will never put down the pencil, he truly believes that websites are the new paper and code is the new printing press.

Photographers

Rhoel Paghunasan

A Guy Named Rho · @aguynamedrho

Rhoel has worked as a designer for over 10 years indulging in brand and identity systems. He currently kicks ass and eats cookies at Ramp Creative in Downtown Los Angeles. When not setting a beautiful rag and unchecking the hyphenation box in the paragraph palette, he engulfs himself in his photography. Armed with his Canon digi or 35mm Minolta, you may bump into him at events as he blocks your view for that perfect shot.

Ceng Ma

Online Portfolio 

Ceng is currently pursuing a Masters in Graphic Design at California State University, Los Angeles. He was born in Qingdao, China and is a graduate of the BFA program in Advertising at Qingdao University of Science and Technology in 2006. Later, he was employed at a local advertising agency while also working as a freelance designer.

Event Tweeter

Ron Tatum

After practically emerging from the womb with pencil in hand, Ron earned a bachelor of arts degree in graphic design from California Polytechnic University in Pomona. He is volunteer head of the newly formed graphic design department at Southside, as well as social media manager and missionary to Brisbane Australia for the church. He’s currently working on rebranding for the church, several in house projects, as well as a couple of small design projects for individuals, occasional live tweeting for AIGA, and still playing basketball.

Senior Web Advisor

Brad Benjamin

Analog Pixel · @analogpixel

Brad Benjamin has two decades of experience in website design, website development and advertising. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication from California State University, Long Beach. Prior to launching Analog Pixel, Brad was an Interactive Developer/Designer at TBWA\Chiat\Day\LA and TEQUILA\ and previously worked as a Senior Designer and Art Director at Guidance. Brad’s work has been featured in the New York Art Director’s Club Annual, Dynamic Graphics magazine, and HOW magazine’s Self-Promotion Issue.