The Raymond Walters College AIGA Student Group is sponsoring the AIGA Design Career Forum on February 16 at 6:30 p.m. Normally, this forum is offered only to those taking AIGA Cincinnati’s Mentoring Program, which, according to Patrick Schreiber, RWC Assistant Professor of Visual Communication, is “a regional initiative that individually pairs graduating design students with successful professionals in the industry.”
This works to the advantage of both the students interested in this specific career choice, and the professionals who offer advice. “Students who participate are interested in furthering their knowledge within the field and setting career goals,” Schreiber said, “[while] professionals who participate generously share their expertise and advice on a one-to-one basis with their mentee, looking forward to learning and growing.”
With that being said, what’s the purpose of the forum? It is simply an extension of that mentoring program. Schreiber explained that “The AIGA is the oldest and largest membership association for professionals engaged in the discipline, practice and culture of designing and is comprised of 62 regional chapters.”
Furthermore, the Raymond Walters section is only one of eight in the Cincinnati section of AIGA, a section which includes UC-DAAP, University of Dayton, Sinclair Community College, Ohio State University, Miami University, Eastern Kentucky University, and the College of Mount Saint Joseph.
So where does the rest of the Raymond Walters student body fit in? Patrick Schreiber has news for us all: “In light of the recent economic downturn, AIGA Cincinnati has decided to open the Design Career Forum to all students and professionals rather than just students participating in the mentoring program, who are interested in pursuing a career in today’s tight job market.”
The event will be a collection of panelists comprised of different backgrounds and design disciplines. They will offer “advice on the current job market, how to interview, how to create a dynamic portfolio, and how to move up in the world of design,” Schreiber said. The ultimate goal behind the event is to allow students to learn from the experiences of weathered designers.
Currently, the panel includes David Bushle, Senior Designer, from American Red Cross; Katie Gerth, Project Manager, from Pop Design Works; Lisa Kuethe, Senior Designer, from Great American; Joe Kruessel, Web Designer, from U.S. Digital Partners; Michel Bourgeois, Production Artist, from Rocket Science; Tim Smith, Creative Director and AIGA Fellow, from FRCH; Bridgette Hon, Environmental Designer, from IKEA; Tom Gilmore, Director of Brand Strategy, from RGI, Inc.; Mark Thomas, Art Academy Professor, from Art Academy.
The event will be held in Muntz Hall Room 119 (the auditorium) on Monday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Any additional info can be fielded by Joe Tipton by email at tiptonja@email.uc.edu or by visiting the AIGA Cincinnati website at http://www.cincinnati.aiga.org/.