This is the preliminary information provided to potential AIGA El Paso members.

2. WHAT IS AIGA?

3. • Founded in 1914 as the American Institute of Graphic Arts, AIGA remains the oldest
and largest professional membership organization for design and is now known
simply as “AIGA, the professional association for design.”
• The mission of AIGA is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool
and vital cultural force.
• AIGA supports the interests of professionals, educators and students who are
engaged in the process of designing.
• Over 25,000 members in 68 chapters.
WHAT IS AIGA?

4. WHY AIGA EL PASO?

5. • El Paso has very talented individuals in the creative community, but the
community feels spread out and distant.
• Lack of networking opportunities and difficulty connecting with fellow creatives
about the industry.
• AIGA El Paso will bring creative individuals together through meetups, workshops,
professional development events, and more.
• Focus on promoting the El Paso creative community and growing respect for the
creative community as a whole.
WHY AIGA EL PASO?

6. • Opportunities for fellowship and networking within a community of designers.
• Access to information about design and professional practices, which may also
involve networking with other professionals with similar issues.
• Finding ways to improve understanding of the profession among the public and
potential clients.
• Finding ways to increase respect for the profession and its impact.
• Establish El Paso as one of only five Texas-based AIGA chapters.
WHY AIGA EL PASO?

7. STARTING AIGA EL PASO

8. • AIGA wants to know that we are serious about forming an El Paso chapter.
• 20 current AIGA members need to sign a petition that gets sent to AIGA
headquarters for review.
• Members who sign the petition need to be at the Supporter level or higher.
• If you are already an AIGA member, DO NOT LEAVE before you sign the petition!
You will need to have your member ID number available.
STARTING AIGA EL PASO

9. AIGA MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Benefits
Sustaining Member
$250/year or $21/month
Supporter
$150/year or $13/month
Contributor
$50/year
Full member profile on AIGA.org YES YES YES
Access to members-only content on AIGA.org YES YES YES
Behance portfolio in AIGA network YES YES YES
Access to Design Jobs listings YES YES YES
Discounts on events and competitions YES YES YES
Receive membership card YES YES
Partner discounts on software, images, etc. YES YES
Apply to be a Design Envy curator YES YES
Contribute stories to AIGA.org YES YES
May serve on chapter board of directors YES YES
Health insurance discounts YES YES
Ethics and professional standards guide YES
Discounted rates to post on Design Jobs YES
Vote on national issues YES
Receive print announcements YES

10. • Professional Development. All AIGA members can access webinars produced with AIGA partners
Adobe and Aquent, as well discounted rates for certificate courses and leadership workshops.
• Design Jobs. All AIGA members can view complete job listings at AIGA Design Jobs, and
Sustaining members and above receive discounted rates for posting job opportunities.
• Designer Directory. Only AIGA members are listed in the AIGA Designer Directory, which links to
each member's exclusive member profile on AIGA.org.
• Event Discounts. Members get discounted rates for local chapter events, lectures and networking
events, as well as regional workshops and national conferences.
• And more.
AIGA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

11. • Discounts on Adobe products. Adobe Systems, Official AIGA Sponsor for Design Solutions,
offers special rates for all products in the Adobe store.
• Discounts on Apple products. Discounts on Apple products and accessories, as well as
complimentary shipping and engraving.
• Health insurance. AIGA is now partnering with two health insurance administrators to offer
group rate coverage in virtually every state.
• lynda.com training discounts. AIGA members have access to information and activities that
help develop and maintain software skills.
• And more.
AIGA SUPPORTER LEVEL BENEFITS

12. • Board needs to be formed. President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership
Director.
• Two-year commitment from each board member.
• Provisional status is granted and start-up grant of $1,000 is received.
• Bylaws are created by the chapter, and the chapter files for incorporation using a
pro bono attorney.
• The national office reviews and approves the provisional chapter's bylaws.
STARTING AIGA EL PASO

13. • The provisional chapter organizes events and recruitment activities. The national office
sends materials and publications for distribution and display.
• The national office assists in identifying current members who may be more
appropriately affiliated with the new chapter.
• National office approves new chapters in June.
• Board president participates in a monthly conference call with other chapter presidents.
• Each chapter sends at least one board member to the annual AIGA leadership retreat,
held in May/June of each year.
STARTING AIGA EL PASO

14. SUSTAINING AIGA EL PASO

15. • We already have great support from the AIGA national office and chapter leaders
in Pittsburgh, Colorado, Wisconsin, Arizona, Minnesota, Jacksonville, North
Carolina, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and more.
• Some chapters have multiple events per week!
• We are going to start with monthly events.
• Some events will be free, and other events will be paid with discounts given to
AIGA El Paso members.
SUSTAINING AIGA EL PASO

16. • Meetups. Casual networking events.
• Workshops. Typography, web development, screen printing, etc.
• Professional Development. Resume training, dealing with clients, etc.
• Mentorship. Talking with students, student shadowing programs, etc.
• Guest speakers. AIGA is well connected with guest speakers.
SUSTAINING AIGA EL PASO

17. BERENICE MENDEZ PEREA

18. JESSICA PAYNE

19. NEXT STEPS

20. • Send signed petition to AIGA.
• Choose board members.
• Like our Facebook page (http://facebook.com/aigaelp)
• Follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/aigaelp)
• We will keep everyone updated using social media.
NEXT STEPS

21. THANK YOU!