By Barbara Young —
If you dig design then the University of Wisconsin–Stout chapter of American Institute of Graphic Artists may be the perfect fit for you.
The group is a student-run organization that focuses on graphic design and interactive media. Anyone with an interest in graphic design is welcome to attend meetings and events.
“We try to switch it up so it’s not the same thing every week,” said Rachel Bachmeier, AIGA president. “We do workshops, have speakers come in to talk about their work or internship opportunities and do collaborative activities like hand lettering or book binding.”
Throughout the year AIGA hosts a number of large events aimed at furthering their design skills and marketability on the job market.
“We attend events like Design Camp and Portfolio 101,” said Bachmeier. “In the fall we sometimes go on studio tours and we do a poster printing party in the spring. Two of our newer events are a UW–Stout portfolio review and the Monster Drawing rally.”
Every year the organization does things a little bit different, but their goals are always focused on developing a creative community that is beneficial to the graphic designers who attend.
“We want students to meet other graphic designers that aren’t in their classes but are in their school and have experience,” said Bachmeier. “It’s a great thing to put on your resume to say you’re involved and actively taking your education further.”
AIGA requests members to pay a $10 entry fee to assist their event costs but welcomes all to attend any events. The community is large and offers students many opportunities to grow as professionals.
For those interested in attending, meetings are held Mondays in Jarvis room 110 at 5:45 p.m., though this may change in subsequent semesters, depending on the executive board members.