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.”
A vision for AIGA
AIGA brings design to the world, and the world to designers. As the profession’s largest community, AIGA advances design as a respected craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force. From content that defines the global practice to events that connect and catalyze, they work to enhance the value and deepen the impact of design on business, society, and our collective future.
The mission of AIGA
AIGA advances design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force. As the largest community of design advocates, they bring together practitioners, enthusiasts, and patrons to amplify the voice of design and create the vision for a collective future. AIGA defines global standards and ethical practices, guide design education, inspire designers and the public, enhance professional development, and make powerful tools and resources accessible to all.
What does AIGA do?
AIGA advances design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force by connecting practitioners, enthusiasts, and patrons through regional, national, and global events and by creating and curating content that:
- advocates for a greater understanding of the value of designers and design in government, business, media, and the public
- enhances professional development
- defines global standards and ethical practices
- inspires designers and the public
- establishes criteria for design education that meets the needs of the profession
- makes powerful tools and resources available and accessible
- celebrates and enhances the value of design
- mobilizes a global design movement
