Participation in AIGA (the professional association for design) is the primary means by which I have contributed to the design profession throughout my career. I have been an AIGA member since 1995, and have served actively in various capacities since 2003 at both the national and local level.
Along the way, I have produced programming, conducted workshops and events, written editorial content, and developed design frameworks — as well as provided service, guidance, governance, and stewardship.
Executive Board, AIGA SF Chapter
San Francisco
2016–2023
Upon completion of my San Francisco chapter presidency, for several years I continued to serve on the chapter board as an executive officer. In this capacity, I provided strategic perspective acquired from my extensive AIGA involvement, mentored new board members, assisted with chapter programming, and served as liaison for the School of Graphic Design student group.
Additionally, I continue to serve as an advisor to San Francisco Design Week — a large municipal celebration of all things design. Once the signature initiative of the AIGA SF Chapter, SFDW has since become a separate standalone organization.
President, AIGA SF Chapter
San Francisco
2014–2016
After completing my three-year term as a national board member, the San Francisco chapter asked me to assume its presidency, a two-year commitment that shifted my focus from sustainable business practice to more generalized community-oriented governance. During my tenure as president, the chapter attained its membership peak with over 800 registered members. Key initiatives included rebuilding the chapter’s online presence to better facilitate programming and reconfiguring the chapter’s board to provide better governance.
National Board Member, AIGA
New York
2011–2014
Incorporation of the Center for Sustainable Design and ongoing development of the Living Principles for Design led to a position on the AIGA National Board, a three-year term from 2011–2014. During this time the organization attained peak membership — with over 22,000 registered members operating in 70+ nationwide chapters.
Center for Sustainable Design Co-chair, AIGA
New York
2005–2010
In the course of utilizing AIGA as a platform for developing my own interest in sustainability, I was asked by Executive Director Ric Grefé to spearhead a national task force for the benefit of the membership at large. I worked in conjunction with Marc Alt to create the Center of Sustainable Design — the means by which the national organization developed consensus on sustainable design practice.
This consensus took the form of the Living Principles, a comprehensive framework through which the design community could develop and deploy sustainable business practice. Created in conjunction with Gaby Brink and Nathalie Destandau of Tomorrow Partners, the Living Principles framework was unveiled in June of 2009 and guides designers who wish to align their projects and practices with the natural world.
Environment Chair, AIGA SF Chapter
San Francisco
2011–2014
I joined the San Francisco Chapter board as the Environment Chair in 2003. It was in this capacity that I created and produced the first Compostmodern in conjunction with Jennifer Pattee and Amos Klausner. Originally a bi-annual event convening designers interested in sustainability, Compostmodern has assumed many guises over the years and still remains an ongoing property for the chapter.
Member, Winterhouse Institute
New York
2009–present
My ongoing interest in sustainable business practice and my role as a design educator led to involvement in the Winterhouse Institute, a not-for-profit organization of design educators devoted to creating tools that advance social innovation in higher ed curriculum. Comprised of design educators located throughout the country, the Institute holds annual meetings and is responsible for the Social Design Pathways model.
Incarceration video courtesy Stan Zienka and MetaDesign San Francisco
#aiga4life tattoo art courtesy Astra Sodarsono (AAU MFA, 2011)
SFDW logo by Manual San Francisco
SFDW 2017 campaign theme by Ed O'Brien (AAU BFA, 2003) and Character San Francisco
