As 2017 winds down, I want to take a moment to thank the community that makes up AIGA Los Angeles for everything we’ve accomplished this year.

The year started with some changes, as we chose to focus our efforts on fewer events, while stretching into discussions that go beyond AIGA’s typical audience. We talked about Failure, Diversity & Inclusion, Virtual Reality, Sports, and the challenges of designing for cities, community engagement, & public transportation. We looked into the minds of Rebels, gained insight on the interactions of In-House designers and Agencies, discussed the future of engagement, and explored the line that separates the act of making from the process of designing.

We produced three webinars this year, along with new written content, new interviews, and video captures of events. And we reached into the community through new social meet-ups and a partnership with The 90. It was year of celebration, as we celebrated the achievements and influence of Michael Hodgson, honored Wayne Hunt and Errol Gerson with AIGA LA Fellows Awards and Good Worldwide with the AIGA LA Visionary Award, and local legend Rebeca Méndez became an AIGA Medalist at the National Awards Gala. It was also a year of sorrow, with the passing of Margo Chase and Clive Piercy, two inspiring designers who not only leave us with insightful bodies of work, but also, through their mentoring and teaching, continue to impact the future of design.

To address the challenges and opportunities facing the design community, we nearly doubled the size of our Board this year, and I can not thank this team enough for the work they tackled throughout the year. We found ourselves questioning the role of a professional organization in Los Angeles, which lead us to build a vision for the future of AIGA in Los Angeles. It’s a vision of wonder and wisdom, a vision of well-being and community.

As always, thank you to our local sponsors Typecraft, Coloredge, Media Temple, and our partners Helms Design Center, Herman Miller, Village Workspace, The Unique Space, and Gnomon School of Visual Effects. The services and support you offer allow us to impact the creative community.

And to the members, volunteers, advisors, sponsors, partners, board members, speakers, and friends that make up our Los Angeles design community, thank you for making this a year full of energy, insight, and engagement. As we enter our 35th year as a chapter (yep, we’re older than the Macintosh), we look forward to continuing our relationships and sharing this vision with you.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing and meeting you next year,
Amanda Hovest
President, AIGA Los Angeles