AIGA Charlotte

Call for Volunteers

AIGA Charlotte — Mon, 21 May 2018 19:35:58 +0000

AIGA Charlotte is looking for volunteers to join our Board of Directors!

You may attend AIGA Charlotte events regularly. You may have volunteered a couple of times in the past. You may have even been involved as a mentor in our Mentorship program. You’ve been drawn to Charlotte’s design community over time, and find yourself with a continued drive to do more, become more involved, and make more of a difference. If this sounds like the energy and passion you’re looking to provide, and if you are wanting to become more involved with our chapter, AIGA Charlotte wants you!

We have multiple positions available on the Board—Programming Managers, Communications Managers Diversity & Inclusion Managers, Education Managers, and more! Apply now!

General Responsibilities
+ Attendance at all Chapter Board Meetings (held once per month on the 3rd Wednesday of each month).
+ Act as a leader for the design community and a good steward of our profession.
+ Adhere to the AIGA Standards of Professional Practice.
+ Lead and direct the future of the AIGA Chapter.
+ Manager positions are 1-year commitments.

Time Commitment
+ Individual position responsibilities vary by role but all positions require active participation via slack and email.
+ All Board positions are flexible and can be shaped by the person in that role. Each Board Member can choose what it is they want to bring to the chapter and the design community within the general realm of their position.
+ Board Members are not limited to contribute only within their position’s role. All Board Members are encouraged to work as a team and are free to bring expertise in any area they have or develop initiatives in areas they have a special interest.

Benefits
+ Board Members are leaders within our community.
+ Getting further involved with AIGA helps influence and shape the future of design, both locally and nationally.
+ Board Members meet, mingle, and spend time outside of events with leading designers who come to speak to our community such as Aaron Draplin, Josh Higgins, Kyle Letendre, Amy & Jen Hood, Lauren Hom, and more.
+ Each year 3 to 4 Board Members from each of the 70
chapters nationwide are selected to attend a multi-day Leadership Retreat conference which is hosted in a different selected Chapter city each year.
+ Board Members create invaluable networks of professional relationships and friendships locally and nationally.
+ Board Members create relationships with local and national vendors from paper reps, printers, etc.
+ Board Members attend all AIGA Charlotte programs for free.

Complete the form below to apply:

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Charlotte Is Creative Presents: Creative Business Power Panel

BPayment — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 21:11:02 +0000

Event Details:
Monday, June 26 (6-9pm) at Wray Ward
2317 Thrift Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Registration: $10

Charlotte Is Creative is excited to announce their inaugural Creative Business Power Panel designed to address some of the most common legal, financial, insurance, and real estate questions that creatives hear in their community. They have gathered experts to address questions about legal entities, contracts and agreements, copyright and trademark, licensing, taxes, liability insurance, worker’s comp, and more through a panel discussion and break-out sessions.

“Artists kept asking us for advice in the areas above, so we assembled a panel of experts that are prepared to answer any/all questions from attendees. $10 for three hours with lawyers and experts in taxes, real estate experts and insurance who can steer creative businesses? Kinda’ priceless!”

Register Here! Space is limited!

Community Spotlight: Megan Easterday

BPayment — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 18:29:44 +0000

Megan Easterday is a Charlotte based editorial brand photographer. You can see more of her work on her site, easterdaycreative.com and on instagram @easterdaycreative!

What attracted you to photography as a profession?

I’ve always loved history and learning people’s stories. Human existence and progress fascinates me, and having the ability to freeze a moment in time for the people I photograph means I get to take part in memorializing important times in their lives. Doesn’t matter if it’s photos of people or photos of the things they create–the photos are still something that future humans will look back on and marvel at what life was like before.

Who are your biggest influences and what do you like about their work?

I always feel like such a fake-tog whenever I’m asked this question. I didn’t go the traditional route of going through photo school to learn my trade–I first learned pro photography while in the military, so I ironically never learned the history of many photographers. That being said, I find that inspiration comes from a wide array of photographers I personally know as well as some I’ve discovered on social media. I am also inspired by interior designers and artists. The type of work I’m drawn to the most is anything that inspires joy. The quirkier, the extra colorful, the better.

What are your tools of the trade?

Currently, I work with the Sony A7iii camera bodies, and although I have a variety of lenses, I am and always will be obsessed with the 35mm focal length. In my opinion, it is one of the most versatile lenses even though it’s a fixed lens. For editing software, I use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop on my trusty MacBook Pro.

Do you have a specific creative process?

Maybe this isn’t the best to admit, but I’ve never actually written down my creative process. I don’t fly by the seat of my pants by any means, but it feels so ingrained within myself, that I don’t even think about it at this point. But if I have to describe the most important part of the process, it’s getting to know my client and their story. If I don’t have that knowledge, I am not going to be able to tailor their experience to them or create a final product that reflects them or their brand accurately.

How do you define success as a creative?

The concept of success is so incredibly subjective. I suppose that’s why you’re asking me what I think it is, eh? I’ve found I feel most successful when I get to work with clients who genuinely value the services I can provide for them. When potential clients reach out and tell me they want ME as their photographer, that feels like a win too. There are SO many talented photographers here in Charlotte and across the globe that when someone wants you as their photographer, it is quite meaningful.

Do you have any creative goals you’re working towards?

I am in the process of finding someone to add to my team so I can keep growing at a steady pace! Another thing I’m working on is creating a course for photographers. Hoping to launch early in 2023!

What’s your favorite thing about your work?

Hands down–the unique and special humans I get to meet. They drive me to keep going!

What is your dream project?

Whew! Great question. Probably working on a commercial project for a company like Madewell or having the opportunity to photograph behind the scenes for a blockbuster movie!

What’s your best piece of advice you have to offer to other creatives?

Always be open to learning. We’re never done growing our craft!

Where can we go to support your work?

You can follow along on Instagram and Pinterest: @easterdaycreative (I have other social media that I don’t utilize as much–but it’s out there) My website: www.easterdaycreative.com (sign-up for the newsletter!)

Community Spotlight: Dustin Harbin

BPayment — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 18:15:01 +0000

Dustin is a Charlotte based illustrator and cartoonist. You can support Dustin by visiting his website dharbin.com or checking him out on instagram @dharbin where you’ll find tons more of his amazing illustrations, comics, and prints!

What attracted you to the design profession?

I worked at the comics shop Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find, eventually becoming one of the showrunners of the yearly HeroesCon, and being surrounded by cartoonists, interacting with them, studying their work, inevitably led me to the hubristic “I could do that.”

Who are your biggest influences and what do you like about their work?

Hm good question. Let’s say William Dempster, illustrator of the 1960’s Paul Bunyan book from Educators Classics Library, Ronald Searle, and (more recently) the late great Richard Thompson, of Cul de Sac fame. Dempster was a massively muscular ink drawer in the Ben Shahn mode, Searle packed more nuance and energy and information into his littlest pen line than anyone else, and Richard was just incredibly incredibly funny and loose with his linework, in a way that looked effortless but took an entire career to perfect.

What are your tools of the trade?

I draw nearly everything with a Hunt 108 and a bottle of ink. There are other nibs I use, but that’s the center of my universe. Most everything else (color, layout, etc) gets done on the computer in Good Ol’ Photoshop.

Do you have a specific creative process?

I sure don’t! I generally just draw in the morning over coffee, and sometimes an idea happens and I follow it, and more often nothing happens at all and I make ugly drawings in my sketchbook that irritate me to death until I inevitably cover them up with something else.

What’s your favorite thing about your work?

It does feel really good to finish a drawing and then look at it and think “yeah I nailed that.” It’s like an audible click when things work right, although I couldn’t even begin to say what that entails.

Do you have any creative goals you’re working towards? What are they?

I would like to do more important work, I think. But until that “important” idea arrives, I’ll keep noodling in my sketchbook in search of it.

Where can we go to support your work?

My website is dharbin.com, and has a bunch of comics, plus links to all my other places, where I sell prints and post drawings and so forth.

Community Spotlight: Alex Osborn

Aiga Charlotte — Fri, 14 May 2021 16:42:34 +0000

My name is Alex Osborn and I’m an indigenous designer and photographer. I make contemporary art and designs influenced by my people’s historical and traditional art as well as my experiences as a member of today’s society. I also do brand design and social media management for the Catawba Nation Tribal Government in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Where are you from?
I grew up on the Catawba Nation Reservation in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you?
I’ve been a freelance designer and photographer for a few years as a side gig and a little over two years ago a position opened that I was able to take with the Catawba Nation Tribal Government. It’s been a rollercoaster since then, as cliché as that sounds!

What’s your proudest accomplishment?
I can’t really think of anything specific, but I’ve been really proud that I’ve been able to break out of my shell the past couple of years. I overcame my fear of flying right before the pandemic and, even though that feels like ages ago, that happened alongside the chance to accomplish a couple, small professional achievements that I never thought I’d get the chance to do. I’m really grateful for that.

What’s your favorite font?
My favorite recently is probably Museo Sans. It’s really clean, but also somehow edgy enough to make “every day” designs feel fresh, too.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
A lot of my work is inspired by very old Catawba art, with new experiences – both political, personal, and professional – thrown into the mix.

How and why did you get involved with AIGA? Approximately how long have you been involved with the organization?
I joined AIGA last year after researching local design organizations. I didn’t see a lot of representation for Native American art and design and I hope that I can bring a little bit of awareness for that to our communities.

If there is karaoke at the next office party, what song will you be singing?
You’ll probably laugh, but My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.

Where do you see yourself as a designer in five years? In ten years? In other words, what issues do you envision will be important to you as a designer at those benchmarks in your career?
In five years, I’d be happy still working for the Catawba Nation, hopefully as part of a larger team. In ten years, I hope I’ll be able to lead more people to accomplish more as a team of creative, communicative people.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Deep breaths, no worries” from my Dad right before making a presentation I was nervous about at the time. The presentation became very unimportant, but that mantra has stuck with me.

If you could be any superhero (existing or new), who would you be and why?
Doctor Strange has always been my favorite!

What’s your secret talent (big or small, silly or serious)?
Can you wiggle your ears independently of each other? I can.

What’s one goal (professional or personal) you have for the future?
I’d like to continue my education. I’ve been fortunate enough to learn a lot from experience and opportunity, but I’d like to have more credentials to back myself up, too.

What are you currently working on?
I’m working on a lot of different projects (thankfully), but one of the ones I’m most excited about is an exhibition for the Native American Studies Center at the University of South Carolina–Lancaster.

What is the best purchase you’ve ever made?
It sounds really random, but I’ve had this Jawbone Big Jambox Bluetooth speaker for like… probably over 10 years and it’s still seriously great.

What sound or noise do you love?
I love the sound of running water, whether that be a creek, a river, or rain on a summer night.

See more from Alex Osborn here.

Community Spotlight: Wabwila Mugala

Aiga Charlotte — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 17:24:43 +0000

Wabwila Mugala is a graphic designer and artist based in North Carolina. Most of her work is a culmination of many mediums or what they simply describe as interdisciplinary. Her work can be found at an exhibit or in a corporate style brochure, just depends on the day!

Find more of her work on her website here.

1. Where are you from?
Born in Zambia but North Carolina has been home for a while

2. What are you currently working on?
I have an upcoming artists residency at Goodyear Arts in Charlotte and I continue to try and advance in my current Graphic Design position!

3. What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you?
The first photoshop course I ever took originally deterred me from the profession/major but other classes I was taking at the time led me to explore design and eventually I found myself deep into a graphic design major/career path. The possibilities seemed endless and ever-changing and that was exciting!

4. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Other creatives, I love Lorna Simpson, Malick Sidibé, Mickalene Thomas, etc. A lot of writers; Zora Neale Hurston, Bell Hooks, Baldwin, Chinua Achebe to name a few. And the general true but cliché answer is that everything around me inspires me.

5. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Something that always sticks with me is by Toni Morrison who said: “I wrote books I wanted to read,” and I try to apply that to any creative endeavor I have.

6. What would people be surprised to know about you?
I have lived on 3 continents! Africa, Europe, and N. America

7. What is your favorite food/book/movie (you pick one) and why?
I really love a good Margherita pizza, it’s perfection.

8. Where do you see yourself as a designer in five years? in ten years? In other words, what issues do you envision will be important to you as a designer at those benchmarks in your career?
I’m not one to plan too far into the future but eventually, I would like whatever role I have to be resourceful. That could mean being a mentor, a teacher or someone that aids financially. A large reason why the design world doesn’t reflect the landscape of the city or the country is that many don’t think it’s possible, don’t have the access and resources necessary to begin or stand out, the list goes on. I’d like whatever I do to allow me the space and resources to be of use in that way. Also, I’d love a home studio of course!

Photo Recap: An Evening with Titus Smith

Aiga Charlotte — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:26:27 +0000

Last Friday & Saturday, AIGA Charlotte had the pleasure of welcoming Titus Smith, senior designer at ESPN, for phenomenal, wisdom-packed, back-to-back sessions at Free Range Brewing. And as if we didn’t glean enough information during the sold-out session the night before, a group gathered the following day in that same, sunshine-filled space for Mr. Smith’s hands-on workshop. Participants interacted directly with the teacher himself, and as a thank-you for their attention & participation, each left with a one-of-a-kind ‘zine freebie.

Titus shared his top ten tips for finding success in anything you do. Ready for these super top secret nuggets of wisdom?

10. Communication is key

9. Educate yourself

8. Don’t take anything personally

7. Networking is also key

6. Find (or build) a design community

5. Rivalries make us better

4. Find what you love and own it

3. You only get better

2. We’re on the same team

1. There are no wrong decisions

A huge thank you to the man himself—Titus Smith—for taking the time & energy to impart his wisdom on each and every person who he met this past weekend. Interested in seeing what we’re up to next? Visit our Events page for more information. Thank you to our amazing sponsors: Metrographics, Advent Coworking, The Creative Group, and Free Range Brewing. And thank you to all of YOU who came out to spend some time with us.

Photo Recap: 2019 Giving Gala & Silent Auction

Aiga Charlotte — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:42:00 +0000

Photo Recap: Drink & Draw

Aiga Charlotte — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 19:12:53 +0000

Our very first Drink & Draw was a huge success! 40 of our new best friends braved the cold and our scary sounding drawing game to come out and create some incredible works of art!

Exquisite Corpse is a vintage drawing game that was played by surrealists in the 1920s. Based on an old parlor game called Consequences that broke a story down into a set structure, Exquisite Corpse breaks down a drawing of a body into three sections: a head, torso, and legs. By keeping each section a surprise from the next person, the combinations become spontaneous and outrageous.

At the end of the night, we had 174 drawings sprawled out across the Suffolk Punch patio. We couldn’t bare to narrow it down so buckle up, there is A LOT to look at!

Photo Recap: A Night with Courtney Rowson of Stitch Design Co.

Aiga Charlotte — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 14:39:54 +0000

Picture this: it’s a dark and rainy Thursday night when nearly seventy eager individuals assemble in the front meeting space of Union. The moment she is announced, a hush falls over the room. Courtney Rowson has travelled from Charleston, South Carolina, a three-plus hour drive, and all attendees are waiting with anticipation to hear the nuggets of wisdom she just might share.

Stitch Design Co. was started ten years ago, a partnership between two geniuses named Amy Pastre and Courtney Rowson. In ten years, the team has grown from two partners to a full team of eleven, all nestled in a history-meets-modern-architecture studio in downtown Charleston.

“We at Stitch Design Co. believe that imperfect balance can sometimes create harmony,” Rowson relays to the crowd.

Symmetry and balance are themes that run deep within both in their business and their client work. Collaboration is the heart of their business – no one piece of work throughout their entire portfolio is reflective of just one individual. Rather, many hands have touched their work to bring about a perfect final product.

Symmetry is a heavy theme that Rowson and Pastre are examining as they approach their ten-year anniversary. The two vowed to create a business that operates solely on the principle that they make all decisions together as one so that there is a seamless transfer from one project to the next without controversy and unrest. The pair have launched Stitch Design Co. with collaboration resting as the pillar of a healthy business model.

Yet with collaboration comes with the need to listen–to your clients, to your teammates, to your gut instincts. A few years ago, Stitch Design Co. rebranded their business as SDCO & Partners, a nod to the collaborative nature of the organization with their clientele. “Our clients are our partners, our collaborators in every project we embark on together. There is no one side that is the boss and another that is the worker. Together we create a vision that comes to life.” Rowson discloses.

Other tidbits of wisdom she sprinkled during our time together included (but is not limited to)….

Remembering that small allows for experimentation – remember this when growing your business or team.

Study the past to inform the future.

There is a beautiful balance in masculine and feminine energy – supplement one or the other to create neutrality in design spaces.

Limitations can create new opportunities so be ready to jump outside of the box!

Order plus innovation equals full potential.

AIGA Charlotte extends a huge thank you to Courtney Rowson of SDCO Partners for spending the evening with us and inspiring us beyond belief. Thank you to our amazing sponsors: Metrographics, Advent Coworking, The Creative Group, and Union. And thank you to all of YOU who came out to spend some time with us.