AIGA’s mission is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force.

AIGA, the professional association for design, is the premier place for design—to discover it, discuss it, understand it, appreciate it, be inspired by it. It is the place designers turn to first to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis, and research and advance education and ethical practices. AIGA sets the national agenda for the role of design in its economic, social, political, cultural and creative contexts.

Founded in 1914, AIGA remains the oldest and largest professional membership organization for design. AIGA now represents more than 22,000 design professionals, educators and students through national activities and local programs developed by 63 chapters and 240 student groups.

AIGA serves designers with five critical functions:

• Information
• Communication
• Inspiration
• Validation
• Representation

Since 1990, the Richmond chapter has provided annual programs and activities to encourage the exchange of ideas and information among designers and creative professionals. Our committees are very active, and we are reaching potential new members daily through our programming and communications.

Mission

• To promote the highest level of creative excellence and professionalism in the communication arts as a strategic tool for business and as a cultural force.
• To encourage creative thinking, solutions and teamwork in the graphic design community. We are here to help educate one another, share ideas and help inform the community and our clients about the value of graphic design.

Objectives

• To encourage excellence in the communication arts through a program of publications, exhibitions, competitions, lectures and other projects in the public interests.
• To promote higher education in the communication arts through contact with and support of local educational institutions offering courses of study in the communication arts; to assist and encourage the study of communication arts through scholarship programs, portfolio reviews and professional counseling; to encourage research into the history and development of communication arts for the preservation and appreciation of past styles, techniques and influences.
• To encourage and stimulate public interest in the communication arts through lectures, exhibitions, publications and other activities.
• To elevate standards of design and quality of production in the communication arts by encouraging the introduction and development of new methods, techniques and materials.
• To create a forum for the exchange of information, views, styles and techniques between those engaged in the communication arts.
• To purchase, rent, borrow and maintain premises where archives, collections and exhibitions may be housed and where meetings, research and educational programs may be conducted.
• To employ necessary personnel to carry out the Chapter’s functions.
• To fund the above programs through Membership dues, publication, lecture and exhibition fees, and contributions from Members of the profession, the business community, the public, and local, state and national funding agencies.