The Day of Design is a one-day event organized by AIGA Austin focusing on independent talent with a series of lectures, workshops and party for Austin’s most innovative creatives. The conference consists of: three workshops in the morning, four lectures into the early evening, a celebration with food / drink, DJ (!!), a DJ and special announcement about our 2023 AIGA Fellows recipient. Join us!

SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)

9:00 Registration / Coffee / Network

9:30 - 12:30 Ranchette : Judy Schulz, Get Gelli!

9:30 - 12:30 Ranchette : Dallas Hudgens, The Key to Leatherworking

9:30 - 12:30 Ranchette : Chad Muzzerelli, Printmaking 101

12:00 - 1:30 Lunch (On Your Own)

1:30 - 1:45 Welcome! Introductions!

1:45 - 2:45 Lauri Johnston, Illustrator and Lettering Artist

3:00 - 4:00 Group Project, Jimmy Luu, Ryan Menefee

4:15 - 5:15 Raul Garza, TKO Advertising, Art Director

5:30 - 7:00 Tacos / Beverages

7:00 - 7:15 Welcome (Again) / Fellow Award / Announcements

7:15 - 8:30 DJ Stout, Pentagram, Designer

8:30 - 10:00 Membership Party

10:00 Goodnight!

WORKSHOPS

We’ve wrangled up the best workshop leaders from across our fair city to deliver unique, engaging programming. All materials provided. Please wear something that can get dirty. Workshops are first come first served. Seating is limited.

Judy Schulz : Get Gelli! (@judyisokay)

Allow Judy to introduce you to this soft, floppy slab of amazingness. The GelliArts gel plate will become one of your favorite art tools. In this unique workshop you’ll discover so many ways to create monoprints with different paper, paints, and materials.

Dallas Hudgens : The Key to Leatherworking (@craftalong)

Unlock the techniques of leather working while making your very own keychain! This workshop is beginner-friendly and will teach all the basics you need to know to work with leather from creating designs with stamps, to dying and painting, to hardware. With this introduction you'll be just dangerous enough to venture out into a new hobby.

Chad Muzzarelli : Printmaking 101 (LINK)

Have you ever wondered how woodcutting is done? In this workshop we will go over the basics of how relief printing is produced from start to finish. We also will go over the history behind the process that hasn’t changed much in a very long time, as well as walk away with a freshly printed concept that you have created.

LECTURES

AIGA Austin brings together a captive audience for intimate, inspirational, and humorous talks about the creative journey. Presenters share oddball passion projects, design-adjacent experiences, or lessons learned along the road. You may also hear from emerging designers with uncommon skills, as well as late-in-life career moves and the projects that keep creatives inspired well into retirement.

45 minute lecture with 15 minutes for Q&A. Seating is limited.

Lauri Johnston, Illustrator and Lettering Artist (@laurilj)

Lauri is a neurodivergent artist enjoying her third year working on her own after pivoting from her graphic design career of 15 years. Her illustration work spans from editorial and advertising to greeting cards and children’s books, and recently she has been spending her free time exploring ceramics.

Group Project, Jimmy Luu, St Edwards Design, Ryan Menefee

Group Project, is the collaborative practice of designer and educator Jimmy Luu and design strategist Ryan Menefee.

Group Project brings together their respective experience and expertise to partner with organizations that value a thoughtful, nimble, and scrappy approach to crafting meaningful brand strategies and realizing brand activations that are relevant, resonant, and delightful.

Most recently, they’ve partnered with The Contemporary Austin to help the museum better understand their audiences, draft a new mission, and develop an updated strategy for artist-centered programming. This fall, they will publish a monograph for Las Vegas-based artist Justin Favela.

Raul Garza, TKO Advertising, Art Director (@tkoadvertising)

Launched creative-focused advertising agency with NYC creative director James Walker. Clients have included Valvoline, AmeriCorps National Service, Texas Workforce Commission, City of Austin Tourism, City of Austin Health and Human Services, Texas First Time Homebuyers Program, Texas Secretary of Sate - Help America Vote, Texas Department of Insurance, Whole Foods Market, BlueAvocado and many more.

In 2006, TKO opened a full-service office in Albuquerque, New Mexico to serve clients including City of Albuquerque, State of New Mexico, Keva Juice, Village of Ruidoso Tourism, Santa Fe Tourism and more.

Prior to TKO, Raul worked in advertising's mega-agencies including Leo Burnett and FCB, serving clients including Miller Beer, Sony, McDonald's, Kellogg's, Levi's and Reebok.

DJ Stout, Pentagram, Designer (@djpentagram)

DJ Stout is a sixth generation Texan, born in the small West Texas town of Alpine. He studied graphic design at Texas Tech University, where he was honored as a distinguished alumni. DJ began his graphic design career in 1981 working for Robert A. Wilson Associates in Dallas. In 1987 he moved to Austin, where he was the award-winning art director of the nationally respected and critically acclaimed Texas Monthly magazine. In January 2000 DJ joined Pentagram as a partner in the Austin office.

Distribution Hall 1500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78704

Originally constructed to house Austin's first German beer importer, this thoughtfully restored mid-century structure now features a 6,000 sq-ft studio warehouse, a 3,000 sq-ft open-air hangar, and a beautiful 7,000 sq-ft courtyard and lawn. Amenities include a green room, infinity wall, production suites, and catering kitchen.

AIGA Austin Fellows Award LINK

We are pleased to announce the 2023 Fellows Awards honorees at this years Membership Party. The AIGA Annual Fellows Awards Banquet was held in February 2023. Membership Party is a free event but registration is required. Fellows announcement starts at 8:00. Visit aigaaustin.org for more.

AIGA Austin Membership Party

Join us as we celebrate Austin's creative community at the annual AIGA membership party. We'll have a few drinks and tasty appetizers while we catch up with old friends and make some new ones. At the event we’ll announce the 2022 AIGA Fellow Award, which recognizes designers who raise the standards of excellence within their local or regional design community as well as in their local AIGA chapter. Membership Party is a free event but registration is required. Fellows announcement starts at 8:00

Meals

Breakfast and lunch will be on your own. Dinner will consist of onsite catered Tacos and cold beverages available for an additional charge.