About AIGA Minnesota

AIGA Minnesota is the professional association for designers in Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Founded in 1977 as the Minnesota Graphic Designers Association (MGDA), AIGA Minnesota is one of the largest AIGA chapters in the nation.

AIGA Minnesota creates programming, professional development opportunities, and social/networking events for designers looking for inspiration and connection. We welcome everyone interested in our ever-expanding design field: graphic design, web design, strategy, design thinking, UX/UI, branding, illustration, photography, video, SEO, animation, game design, etc. Our members come from all backgrounds, all fields, and all levels of experience and include designers, strategists, developers, students, educators, and representatives from marketing, advertising, digital channels, printing, and publishing.

AIGA Minnesota is a chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design. AIGA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

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Our Purpose — what we do and who we work for

AIGA MN is an inclusive source of connection, inspiration, and support for every designer in Minnesota.
We promote the passion and power of design.

Our Vision — what we aspire to and why

We create community that empowers all designers to create a more beautiful, equitable world.

AIGA Minnesota Chapter Values

Belong

Embrace diversity.
Nurture an inclusive and unbiased environment with a commitment to justice and equity.

Connect

Lean on us.
Be a place of community and support to share knowledge through engagement and collaboration.

Partner

Work together.
Cultivate relationships with like-minded organizations and institutions for combined action and participation.

Inspire

Grow your passion.
Encourage and instill confidence in individuals to enjoy life through making and creating

Contact

Mailing Address
AIGA Minnesota
P.O. Box 18396
1600 18th Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418-4714

[email protected]

Executive Committee

Carla Januska
Carla Januska
President
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Position
Position Open
Vice President

The Vice President is generally involved in all of AIGA Minnesota’s activities, although its major contributions are in strategy, programming, and operations. This position works to maintain the high quality of Chapter programs and to ensure programs are meeting the needs of members and using Chapter resources effectively. The Vice President also acts to support the President and the rest of the board in their functions.

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Carissa MacLennan
Carissa MacLennan
Secretary

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Position
Position Open
Treasurer

The Treasurer oversees the overall financial health of the Chapter and act as advisor to and liaison between Chapter board and Chapter financial resources and systems. Advise board in financial matters to ensure that Chapter programs and activities are fiscally viable; establish long-term financial goals for the Chapter; and ensure alignment of local financial goals with national AIGA initiatives as well as local Chapter purpose statement.

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Directors

Matt Lowe
Matt Lowe
Director of Communications
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I design for clients through my business Check One Two.
I keep it funky with my band Porky's Groove Machine.
Design outside the lines, always in the groove.

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Position
Position Open
Director of Development

The Director of Development sets the strategic framework for chapter development goals and opportunities and leads the development committee to meet those goals. Leads the Chapter’s efforts to identify, pursue, and secure sponsorship partners, and ensures that partnership agreements are being fulfilled.

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Position
Position Open
Director of Diversity and Inclusion



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Danilo Bojic
Danilo Bojic
Director of Education
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As a native Serbian, born and raised in Belgrade, Danilo has earned his BFA in Graphic Communications and BA in Art History from the University of Houston in 2009. In 2012 Danilo had successfully defended his thesis and holds an MFA Degree in Graphic Communications from the University of Houston.

Danilo engages the questions of enticing shifts in perception in design education and the influence of contemporary society and culture on our visual cognition in his research practice. His goal is to visually investigate the ability to communicate in different formats and create different levels of cognition through perception, acceleration, and construction of messages that raise consciousness, sensitivity, and conviction.


In his teaching practice, Danilo is committed to transforming the traditional design curriculum to expand the level of understanding of core and advance theoretical principles while utilizing historical and contemporary knowledge to enhance the learning experience. Danilo currently teaches design at Winona State University in Minnesota, USA.

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Position
Position Open
Director of Technology

The purpose of the Director of Technology is to oversee and improve electronic communications, systems, and processes in support of AIGA Minnesota’s interactive, communication, and programming needs. This includes the chapter website, discrete websites for legacy events, and other technological services we regularly rely on as a chapter.

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Position
Position Open
Director of Membership

The Director of Membership ensures Chapter membership activities are aligned with AIGA national initiatives as well as local Chapter goals. The Director acts as advisor to and liaison between Chapter board and Chapter membership to ensure Chapter activities meet the needs of the membership. The Director develops membership growth strategies and oversees any Chapter activity measuring member satisfaction in collaboration with AIGA ambassadors.

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Position
Position Open
DIrector of Operations

The purpose of the Director of Operations is to assess AIGA Minnesota’s processes and policies and to guide the development of operational strategies that are in support of AIGA Minnesota’s mission, aligned with chapter goals, and in the best interest of its membership.

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Theresa Shim
Theresa Shim
Director of Alliances

Theresa is a Minneapolis-based Korean American professional and a freelance designer. She has much experience in the human services industry connecting marginalized communities to various resources including people and organizations. She believes in teamwork and bringing people together to achieve great results. Art and graphic design has always been part of her life, and as a starting designer, she wishes to be more connected to the creatives, while connecting the creatives to the larger community!

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Position
Position Open
Director of Legacy Programming

This position will oversee Chapter programming efforts that produce the Chapter’s legacy events. The Director will ensure that these events continue to be developed in the Chapter’s best interests, are produced within budget and contract terms, and are revenue-generating or revenue-neutral. Further, the Director will ensure that, commensurate with longstanding tradition, these events continue to align with Chapter objectives by offering benefits including educational and networking opportunities to the Chapter membership. The Director will not run or micromanage the events listed below. Rather, the Director will oversee the formation and smooth and continued operation of committees who, led by their respective committee Chairs, will actually produce the events. The Director will also oversee the Associate Director of Programming Opportunities.

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Associate Directors

Jhoselin Dominguez
Jhoselin Dominguez
Associate Director, Communications

I am a graphic designer from Kansas currently living in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. I graduated May of 2019 from Fort Hays State University with a B.F.A in Graphic Design. My hobbies include writing short stories, riding my longboard, and playing the piano.

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Position
Position Open
Associate Director of Student Affairs

To act as liaison between the Chapter’s leadership and its current and potential student members; to provide a voice for the AIGA Minnesota Chapter to ensure student affairs are considered in Board strategic decisions while offering a deeper insight to AIGA and the design profession both locally and nationally. The AD of Student Affairs is a non-voting member of the board and reports directly to the Co–Directors of Education.

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Jenni Lathrop
Jenni Lathrop
Associate Director, Registration

With over 18 years as a graphic designer, brand manager and marketing team member, Jenni Lathrop has a wide range of graphic design experience ranging from print to digital. Her work includes websites, logos, event collateral, advertising and publications. She also has a background in writing and editing.

Jenni is currently an independent, Twin Cities-based graphic designer working collaboratively with nonprofits, small businesses and individuals. A member of the AIGA since 2014, Jenni has worked with the In House Designers and Solopreneurs Committees and served as AD of Registration since 2016.

When she’s not enjoying time with her family, she spends time consuming too much pop culture, reading and knitting. Lots and lots of knitting.

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Position
Position Open
Associate Director, Archives

The role of the archivist is to be the guardian of the memories, materials and records that have shaped and continue to shape the identity of AIGA Minnesota. This includes collecting copies of all AIGA Minnesota communication materials for archiving and making appropriate information easily accessible to users such as board members and committee chairs.

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Committee Chairs

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Position Open
Business Committee Chair



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Position Open
Chair, Lunch & Learn



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Brock Ray
Brock Ray
Chair, Design Show

Matt Lowe
Matt Lowe
Acting Chair of Solopreneurs

Matt Lowe is the temporary chair of Solopreneurs. Contact him if you are interested in being the chair.

Brent
Brent
Committee Chair, Insights Design Lecture Series

Brent Larson
Brent Larson
Committee Chair, In-house Designers

Leslie McDougall
Leslie McDougall
Chair, Design Camp®

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Position
Position Open
Chair of Portfolio 1-on-1® Committee



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Position
Position Open
Chair of Sustainable Design Committee

To lead the Sustainable Design Committee, which works to provide sustainable resources, ideas and practices to designers and the community, and strives to make AIGA Minnesota sustainable in its operations and events. To help maintain a resource of sustainable practices and materials, plan and promote events and programming, prepare communications to members through available chapter media, staying current with relative industry topics, and act as an advocate for sustainable practices with other AIGA Minnesota committees.

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Past Presidents

  • 2019-2021 Heather Michael, President
  • 2016-2019: Katrin Loss, President 1
  • 2014-2016: Jenny Price, President
  • 2012-2014: Jenny Schmitz-Hinshaw, President
  • 2010-2012: Seth Johnson, President
  • 2008-2010: Christina Jackson, President
  • 2006-2008: Jim Madson, President
  • 2004-2006: Amy Anderson, President
  • 2002-2004: Scott Geiger, President
  • 2000-2002: Joelle Sather (née Anderlik), President
  • 1998-2000: Doug Powell, President; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2014)
  • 1996-1998: Dan Woychick, President
  • 1994-1996: Grant Pound, President
  • 1992-1994: John DuFresne, President; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2012) 2
  • 1990-1991: Paul Wharton, President
  • 1988-1989: Jo Davison (née Strand), President; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2014)
  • 1986-1987: Carol Capistrant, President 3
  • 1985-1986: Mark Odegard, President, MGDA
  • 1984-1985: Bruce Rubin, President, MGDA
  • 1983-1984:  Heather Olson (née Soladay), President, 
MGDA; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2012) 4
  • 1982-1983: Robert “Bob” Fleming, President, MGDA
  • 1981-1982: Dale Johnston, President, MGDA
  • 1980-1981: Timothy “Tim” Larsen, President, MGDA; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2007)
  • 1979-1980: Patrick Redmond, Chairman > President, MGDA 5
  • 1978-1979: Peter Seitz, Chairman, MGDA; AIGA Minnesota [first] Fellow (2000)
  • 1977-1978: James “Jim” Johnson, Chairman, MGDA
  • 1976-1977: Timothy “Tim” Larsen, Founding Chairman, MGDA; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2007)

Notes: 1. Three-year term 2. 1992-1994 First time AIGA Minnesota President is two-year term 3. MGDA becomes AIGA Minnesota (AIGA Minnesota Chapter) in 1986 4. First female president 5. Although elected with the title “Chairman”, title was changed from “Chairman” to “President.”

Contact Leadership

Carla Januska
Carla Januska
President