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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vice president
Vice President

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Position
Position Open
Secretary

The secretary is the key support person for the Chapter’s board of directors, leading organizational efforts to ensure the board functions cohesively and that board meetings run smoothly. They also oversee integration of new members to the board of directors, plan for monthly board meetings, take minutes, and distribute, collect, and archive files using project management software. The secretary works with the Executive Committee to review event proposals and budgets, make decisions regarding Chapter policy, and provide guidance for the Board of Directors and the Chapter as a whole.

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Dan Paulus
Dan Paulus
Treasurer

Dan Paulus is a Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He enjoys collaborating with students and clients alike—keeps him on his toes. He's a beekeeper and cat lover. He enjoys working with his hands and exploring physical media as a way to inform his craft but also to break away from the computer. He is currently exploring wood turning.

Directors

Mario Jimmy Barron Aguilar
Mario Jimmy Barron Aguilar
Co-Director of Diversity & Inclusion
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I graduated from Augsburg University during 2019-2020. I became fascinated with UX and UI in two distinct ways. UX came across me before the epidemic when I attended events for people interested in UX design. I was taking a Marketing Research course at the time, although I enjoyed it. It could not compare to the excitement I got from doing User Research exercises. I was able to relate my skills and personality closer to the field of UX as a pose to Marketing.

UI became of interest through the books I would buy outside of my Graphic Design classes. It was like Graphic Design but with a different feel. I think the UI designer can control and maneuver through various tools. I am a person who thrives by being challenged, is very curious about my learning style, and is an empath at heart.

Ready to connect with you on any D&I initiatives

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Position
Position Open
Director of Communications

Oversee the development and implementation of AIGA Minnesota communications to support our members.

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Development
Director of Development

Julia Hunter Rancone is a Managing Partner and VP of Creative Strategy for Ultra Creative, an independent creative agency in Minneapolis. She has been in the strategic design services industry for over twelve years, positioning brands of all sizes and ages and advocating the importance of design to achieve brand and business objectives.

She holds a B.A. from Whitman College in Art History and Visual Culture Studies and a Masters in Strategic Communication from the University of Minnesota. As Director of Development for AIGA MN, she aims to establish the strategic framework for chapter development goals and opportunities, working with the board and members to create connections with the broader community to enrich the AIGA MN experience.

Diversity & Inclusion
Director of Diversity and Inclusion

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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 Alliances

The Director of Alliances cultivates partnerships with organizations and associations in the creative space and adjacent fields. This role helps our chapter broaden our community and provide design leadership across a wide variety of opportunities.

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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.

Muriel Bartelme Kreske
Muriel Bartelme Kreske
Director of Membership

Thoughtful design is powerful, it can solve problems, ignite passion and bring people together. Design can also be beautiful, functional and change the way people interact in the world.

Operations
DIrector of Operations

Legacy
Director of Legacy Programming

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.

May Hayes
May Hayes
Associate Director of Student Affairs
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Recently graduating from Winona State University, May earned her Bachelor's of Arts in I-Design with honors. Finding new ways to become involved within the design community led her to volunteer as the Associate Director of Student Affairs through AIGA Minnesota. As an emerging designer, she is currently gaining experience in her full-time position with a Minneapolis based media production agency while simultaneously taking on freelance clients.

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

Brent Larson
Brent Larson
Committee Chair, In-house Designers

Cailey Birchem
Cailey Birchem
Chair of Portfolio 1-on-1® Committee
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Hi, I'm a designer, illustrator, educator, and artist based in Minnesota.

After graduating from Alexandria Technical College in 2017, I went on to get my Bachelor's Degree from Bemidji State University with triple emphasis in exhibit design, graphic design, and studio arts. I graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in the spring of 2022 with my MFA.

Currently, I am an experience designer at X-FCTR. We are an agency that focuses on consumer engagement through both digital and live brand activations.

Brent Stickels
Brent Stickels
Committee Chair, Insights Design Lecture Series

Rich Higgins
Rich Higgins
Chair of Solopreneurs

Rich Higgins is the chair of Solopreneurs. Contact him if you are interested in participating in Solopreneurs.

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Position
Position Open
Chair, Design Show



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Position
Position Open
Co-Chairs, Design Camp®



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Position
Position Open
Chair, Lunch & Learn

Our Lunch & Learn program offers the creative community a virtual hour of inspiration, education, and community. As the chair of Lunch & Learns you'll suggest topics, find speakers, and coordinate the programming for the events. Help us keep this popular inspiration hour going.

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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