Helpful Resources to Support Your Graphic Design Career

By Sarah Clark
Sarah.clark@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist

If you plan to pursue a graphic design career, you should be acquainted with organizations dedicated to promoting the graphic arts or artists by providing job listings, professional development opportunities, and various other career-related services. This list covers a few of the most prominent graphic arts organizations in North America.

American Institute of Graphic Arts

AIGA is one of the leading graphic arts organizations in the United States. Based in New York, one of its primary roles is to convene forums in which designers can learn about the latest developments in graphic design technology and thinking. Visit its web site for information on the biennial AIGA Design Conference as well as symposiums and trainings held periodically throughout the U.S.

Graphic Artists Guild

The Guild is a union of professionals working in various areas of graphic art, including graphic design, photography, cartooning, web design, multimedia, and others. It provides a forum in which design professionals can promote their collective career interests, lobbying government for favorable practices in the design field as well as promoting industry standards regarding pricing and copyrights, among other job-related issues.

Industrial Designers Society of America

Unlike AIGA and the Guild, IDSA's mission encompasses more than graphic design; it reaches out to the entire spectrum of design professionals. It helps designers in the efforts to secure jobs, equipping them with professional development opportunities as well as forums in which designers can meet with other designers.

Society of Graphic Designers of Canada

GDC does much of what other graphic design organizations do, lobbying for the professional interests of graphic design professionals, providing resources for career development and job seekers, as well as bringing members of the graphic design community together to share information about new developments in the field. GDC is a membership organization that focuses on designers living and working in Canada.

With these resources, you'll put yourself in a better position to secure the graphic design job you've set your sights on.

Sources:

Society of Graphic Designers of Canada
Industrial Designers Society of America
American Institute of Graphic Arts
Graphic Artists Guild

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who lives in Arlington, Virginia.