professional associations

An interesting piece of juicy talk concerning the American Institute of Architects lately, and this time completely unrelated to either Kermit Baker or the always sexy Billings Index. Story goes is that the AIA has decided to suspend Montana-based architect Donald Briggs after it was learned that he had been having an affair with one of his clients. If that weren't enough. the husband of the affairing-woman was also upset at the cost overruns during the new house design/building they'd hired Briggs for, particularly because he'd largely only spoken about the details about the project to his wife. The AIA determined that Briggs' conduct had violated the rules of their Code of Ethics, given that said affair might have "affected his professional judgment while rendering professional services" and thus, his membership has been suspended for two years. Although this doesn't have any baring on Briggs' license to practice architecture, who knows what the effect on his business will be without that AIA affiliation. The whole case has drummed up some interesting debate over at Archinect's forums, with readers offering opinions from both sides, all under the forum's title "The Farnsworth Days Are Over."

In probing interviews, she reminds the world just how much design matters. She wrote the book on how to think like a great graphic designer. And now, it's official: UnBeige favorite Debbie Millman is the president of AIGA. She replaces outgoing president Sean Adams, who will remain involved in an ex officio role. Millman's three-year term begins today, as do those of four other newly elected AIGA board members: Julie Beeler (Second Story Interactive Studios), AIGA treasurer Zia Khan (Lucid Partners), James Koval (VSA Partners), and Angela Shen-Hsieh (Visual i|o). Additionally, three board members will begin positions to finish the incomplete terms of former directors: Shelley Evenson (Carnegie Mellon University), Louise Sandhaus (California Institute of the Arts), and Lynda Weinman (lynda.com). They'll all be working toward AIGA's new mandate—"to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool, and vital cultural force"—as the organization approaches its centennial in 2014. Check out the below video from last month's AIGA Leadership Retreat in Portland, where Adams passed the baton to Millman. Note that the baton was metaphorical, but were it literal, it would be one well-designed baton.

In a world of crunched corporate budgets and proliferating online open calls, AIGA this week affirmed its longstanding policy against speculative work—work done prior to engagement with a client and in anticipation of being paid if selected. After reviewing the policy in the context of the changing marketplace, the AIGA board of directors maintains that spec work "can compromise the benefits of effective design for both clients and designers—and that a designer fully engaged in a client's business challenges is necessary to an effective solution." The professional association for design says that it recognizes that the decision to engage in spec work is up to individual designers. At the same time, AIGA is committed to making designers aware of the associated risks. "By providing educational information on what it means to do work without the promise of compensation, and the resulting risks for both the client and the designer, we hope to empower every designer to make an informed and intelligent decision on an individual basis," said AIGA executive director Richard Grefé in a statement issued this week. Read on for AIGA's full, updated position on spec work.

(Image: Von for No!Spec)

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Wow, the IDSA is making some major changes and we sure do like them. You'll remember they hired a new hottie superstar executive director and just threw a killer conference, and they've also got a new weekly email newsletter, designBytes, that will surely appeal to you even if you're not an affiliated member or even an industrial designer.

This week's email, for example, gives a little update on newsmakers like K-Rash, some must-read articles, and a listing of IDSA events in a city near you. You can email designBytes AT idsa.org to get added to the list.

Remember back when the IDSA was looking for a new executive director, and only a REALLY passionate, design-consuming superstar would do? Well, guess we know what brand of strategic innovation Frank Tyneski eats for breakfast because the senior director of industrial design and human factors at Kyocera has been named as the IDSA's new head honcho:

With a reputation as one of the world's premier designers and visionaries, Tyneski brings a powerful combination of professional accomplishments, personal magnetism and dedication that will appeal to ID professionals, consumers and business leaders of all ages and nationalities.

Maybe it's just us, but we're definitely getting superstar vibes from that photo. Like, "American Idol" superstar vibes. Talk about some human factors!

It's not often that we cover the revamped website of AIGA chapters, but when one packs a punch like this, we feel the need to say something. AIGA NY has relaunched their site, designed by the kids at Kind Company (they did that pretty Alvin Lustig site, remember?). Poke around a bit but be absolutely sure to check out the new DESIGNY blog, where the super smart team of Michael Brenner, Randy Hunt and Louise Ma will cover design-y issues in NY. We are afraid. We are very afraid.

Attention industrial designers/gluttons for punishment everywhere, IDSA is looking for a new head honcho:

Are you passionate about design? REALLY passionate? Do you perceive the infinite possibilities for design and designers in the 21st century? Do you eat, breathe and sleep strategic innovation? Do you secretly--or maybe not so secretly--believe that everything can be improved through design? Do you seek the ultimate design project? The ultimate design project is to design the context in which the direction of the profession is designed. This will create new paradigms of thought and shape public opinion.

Although the order seems a little tall (we hear eating and breathing strategic innovation can be hazardous to your health), designing the context in which the direction of the profession is designed will no doubt make you famous. Or crazy. Nominations will be accepted until August 15 so the new leader will be installed before the big CONNECTING'07 conference planned for October 17-20 (which we told you 'bout way back when).

People love to whine about not "getting" anything for their professional association fees and while don't want to ruin their little pity party, we have to say that the newest feature that comes with an AIGA membership is pretty darn useful. Members get a free subscription to ID magazine online, which is delivered in the completely readable interface you see above.

Terrified as we are of technology and things that are new, we were afraid that we'd miss the "real" magazine in our hands. But it's actually a comfortable way to enjoy it and the really good news is, the ads are there, too, so you won't miss a thing.

While more attention is certainly being paid to the "female factor" at design conferences, there hasn't been much discussion about the fact that most of the talking heads are pretty much always white. AIGA is addressing the issue by looking for under-recognized American designers from diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds for their Diversity Archive:

The intention is to provide an archive of the invisible legacy to light: role models, those who have pioneered and mentored for other, career paths that provide a model for young people from diverse backgrounds who want to understand the path others like them have pursued to achieve success in this rewarding profession.

Portfolios, bios and achievements from the highlighted designers will be available on the AIGA website and, organizers hope, will eventually grow into a traveling exhibition. If you know someone who should be included, even if they're no longer living, submit their information by April 30. It would be a shame for under-recognized designers to be even more under-recognized here.

Well, we knew this day would come--in fact, we were so prepared for this day to come that we spent a little extra time on the AIGA site the other day, saying goodbye to its sweet, stodgy interface. We don't know how long ago that site had been around, but judging by the color palette, we'd guess 1973.

Today, it's a whole new AIGA, after almost a year of collaboration with Happy Cog team leaders Jeffrey Zeldman and Jason Santa Maria, and tech support from Thirdwave. Executive Director Ric Grefe seems pleased:

"We are proud of the fact that www.aiga.org has regularly exposed an audience 10 times our membership to the stories of design excellence and effectiveness, providing inspiration and education, and we are confident that the redesigned site will go even further toward meeting those ends."

Our only wish is that a little "Tell us what you think" button would lead to a discussion about the new site. But maybe we'll leave that up to one of the other sites that focuses on that kind of stuff. Ready? Check it out.

Update: More at Happy Cog and from Zeldman and Santa Maria.