AIGA Design Educators

Co-chairing Throughlines, the 2026 AIGA Design Educators Community standalone conference with Lisa Maione @berriesforeveryone , is deeply personal to me. The conference theme reflects the foundation of my learning theory, Design Instinct Learning™. Here, I’m sharing a photo of Lisa and I at the 2025 AIGA Design National Design Conference visiting the Corita Art Center in Los Angeles and a page from my dissertation that my USC Rossier School of Education doctoral chair, Dr. Angela Hasan, identified as central to my argument about graphic design’s presence across the lifespan. Throughlines explores the connections that shape a designer’s journey—from first exposure and education to mentorship, leadership, and creating pathways for future designers. Together, we’ll examine how culture, values, and lived experience influence design learning across a lifetime. AIGA DEC is excited to welcome Day 1 speaker Reneé Seward Nettle and Day 2 speaker Dr. Jacinda N. Walker whose groundbreaking research—both centered in Ohio—demonstrates the power of looking more closely at design as we deepen our understanding of the relationships among graphic design, human development, and education. Reneé’s research focuses on developing digital and physical tools that address our society’s literacy challenges. She co-leads the transdisciplinary Digital Futures Learning by Design Lab and See Word Design @seeworddesign , which conducts rigorous research on digital innovations that advance inclusive literacy and learning experiences across the lifespan. As an advocate for youth leaders, Dr. Walker @designexplorr proudly mentors design students in portfolio presentation, professional development, and career planning. Her groundbreaking research on “Design Journeys” offers practical strategies for increasing diversity within the profession. Lisa J. Maione, is a designer, artist, and educator. Born in Tokyo and raised in California and Texas, her creative practice investigates the screen as both material and mode of perception, exploring relationships among images, reading, and memory. Join us at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio on July 27–28, 2026. Register today @aiga_educators

The Weave Conference Abstract Book is now available for online viewing and purchase! The book features the abstracts from all presenters and the posters presented at the conference.⁠ ⁠ You may order a copy or read it online at the link in our bio. ⁠ ⁠ #aiga #aigadec #aigadecweave #decconferences #designeducators

Our educator spotlight is Zenab Bastawala, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at James Madison University! She holds an MA in Typeface Design from the University of Reading, UK, and a Bachelor’s in Visual Communication Design from Swinburne University, Australia. As an educator, typographer, graphic designer, and a letterpress aficionado, Zenab brings a multi-script and multilingual perspective to her teaching of typography and graphic design. She is the founder of Sign Walks, a platform that critically explores urban signage through the lenses of history, language, and the evolving nature of cityscapes.⁠ ⁠ Read more about Zenab via the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ We want to feature more individuals and programs on our social media channels and are seeking nominations from any K-12, community college, or higher ed institution. If you would like to be featured or would like to nominate a fellow educator, please fill out this form (https://forms.gle/QJXBVJCrJZoDpbG79).

🎉 VIRTUAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT 🎉⁠ ⁠ Join us for a virtual event in conversation with Tasheka Areceneaux Sutton to celebrate the release of her book Renaissance Woman: The Creative Life of Louise E. Jefferson. Tasheka will share insights into her publishing and research process and reflect on her journey to uncover the life and work of Louise E. Jefferson, the first Black woman art director in American publishing. The talk will be followed by a Q&A, creating space for dialogue around design history, archival research, and the importance of bringing overlooked narratives to light.⁠ ⁠ Register for the link in bio.⁠ ⁠ #aiga #aigadec #booklaunch #LouiseEJefferson

🎉 VIRTUAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT 🎉⁠ ⁠ Have a stack of assignments to grade? A proposal with a quickly approaching deadline? Hundreds of emails in your inbox? Join us for a virtual “body doubling” session—a set time for you to get work done while others are doing the same. We will start with 15 minutes to summarize what we intend to work on, have 90 minutes of focused, productive time, and take 15 minutes to check in on how your work session went. Feel free to stay for the entire session, or leave early if you can’t! It’s a great way to get things done that you have been putting off or can't seem to find time for, with built-in accountability. We hope to “see” you there!⁠ ⁠ #aiga #aigadec #getworkdone #grading #research #designeducation #bodydoubling

How can design educators create environments that support curiosity, empathy, and open dialogue—especially when conversations become complex or uncomfortable?⁠ ⁠ Join us on Wednesday, April 22, 6PM EDT/5PM CDT/3 PM PDT for a virtual event with AIDA Medalist Rick Griffith⁠ ⁠ Rick will share his experience creating practical tools for fostering responsive and inclusive learning spaces grounded in the idea of situated knowledge—that all understanding is embodied, partial, and shaped by social, cultural, and material contexts.⁠ ⁠ This profoundly empathetic approach can help educators and their students articulate their experiences while acknowledging and using discomfort to build the growth mindset required in these times.⁠ ⁠ Rick Griffith is an award winning British-West-Indian artist, designer, collagist, writer, educator, and letterpress printer his works are found at the intersection of programming, policy, and production. He is the designer behind the Black Astronaut Research Project (BLARP), The Pledge for Spaces, and The Introductory Ethic for Designers and Other Thinking Persons. He is a lecturere at the University of Colorado, Boulder, a two-time programming chair for the AIGA National Conference, and the 2023 Acuff Chair at Austin Peay State University. Rick’s works are collected and exhibited worldwide and can be found in the permanent collections of The Denver Art Museum, Museum für Druckkunst Leipzig, The Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum, Columbia University’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library, PosterHouse (NYC), The Tweed Museum at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. And the Letterform Archive. He was recently awarded the AIGA Medal.⁠ ⁠ #designeducation #aiga #aigadec #virtualevent

Registration is now open for Throughlines 2026. Join us this July at Sinclair Community College as we bring together design educators, practitioners, students, and partners from across the country for two days of conversation, connection, and shared perspectives on design education. We’re excited to announce our keynote speakers: Reneé Seward Nettle Endowed Professor and Program Coordinator of Communication Design at the University of Cincinnati, Reneé’s work bridges typography, literacy, and inclusive design. Through her research and the development of tools like See Words Reading® and SeeType, she is rethinking how design can support learning across the lifespan. Her practice centers education, innovation, and accessibility, with a focus on expanding who gets to participate in design. Dr. Jacinda N. Walker Designer, educator, and founder of designExplorr, Dr. Walker is a national leader in advancing diversity in design. Through her Experiential Learning Center and mentorship work, she has supported over 10,000 young people in exploring creative careers. Her research on “Design Journeys” offers powerful frameworks for building more inclusive pathways into the profession. Throughlines explores the connections that shape design learning across the lifespan, from early exposure to professional practice and leadership. Hosted for the first time at a community college, this year’s conference highlights the vital role of educators, students, and institutions in shaping design futures. We’d love for you to be part of it. Registration link in bio Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio July 27–28, 2026 #Throughlines2026 #AIGADEC #DesignEducation #designeducators @designatsinclair @sinclaircollege

🎓Your expertise belongs in the classroom Introducing Faculty Finder! AIGA NY's new initiative connecting NYC design professionals with teaching opportunities at FIT, Parsons, Pratt, SVA, City Tech, BMCC, Baruch, and more. One form. A curated, private network. Real opportunities. When design programs need to fill courses, they come to us first. Your profile stays visible only to partner institutions, never public. Whether you've always wanted to teach or you're already in the classroom and looking for more, this is your in. Link in bio to get started! #AIGANY #FacultyFinder #DesignEducation #NYCDesign #DesignCommunity #Teaching #GraphicDesign #DesignJobs

JOIN THE DEC STEERING COMMITTEE!⁠ AIGA, the professional association for design, seeks active and dedicated educators and practitioners to provide service and leadership through its Design Educators Community Steering Committee (DEC).⁠ ⁠ The DEC supports design educators across a wide range of institutional contexts by fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, developing programming, and supporting research and teaching in design education.⁠ ⁠ Steering committee members serve a three-year term beginning in July 2026.⁠ ⁠ Minimum qualifications for consideration include experience teaching visual communication, graphic design, or a related field of study. Applicants must be current AIGA members or obtain membership by July 1, 2026.⁠ ⁠ Candidates with experience in academic leadership, professional practice, local AIGA chapter leadership, or committee service are encouraged to apply.⁠ ⁠ The DEC is committed to building a steering committee that reflects diverse perspectives, geographic locations, institutional contexts, and design disciplines, and we seek members who will actively contribute to the mission of the community.⁠ ⁠ We are currently seeking members interested in serving in the following subcommittees and roles:⁠ ⁠ • Community Manager — supporting the operational coordination of DEC activities, including meeting documentation, calendars, and community infrastructure.⁠ • Contributor, Virtual Events Subcommittee — developing and facilitating online programming that supports conversation, professional development, and knowledge sharing across the design education community.⁠ • Contributor, Knowledge Sharing & Publishing Subcommittee — helping shape DEC publishing initiatives, including the development of a peer-reviewed journal and rethinking peer review processes within design education.⁠ • Coordinator, Community College Subcommittee — leading a new strategic initiative focused on elevating the voice and visibility of community college educators and strengthening connections across two-year design programs.⁠ ⁠ Click the link in the bio for more information or to apply. ⁠ #aigadec #academicservice

✨️✨️ Design Educator Profile: Shannon Doronio Chavez⁠ ✨️✨️⁠ ⁠ We are excited to share profile interviews highlighting members of the DEC Community, focusing on featuring the many roles we hold as educators in various institutional settings and job titles. In this month’s edition, we share an interview with design educator Shannon Doronio Chavez, Professor & Co-Chair, Graphic & Multimedia Design program, College of the Canyons. Head to our website to read more about Chavez's work and practice. Link to full interview in the bio.⁠ ⁠ If you wish to nominate yourself or another educator you know, please complete the form at the link in our bio⁠ ⁠ #design #designeducation #designeducator #educatorprofile

🎉 🏫 EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT 🏫 🎉⁠ ⁠ Our educator spotlight is Omar Sosa-Tzec (@omitzec ), Associate Professor of Visual Communication in SFSU School of Design! As a design scholar, Prof. Sosa-Tzec studies the qualities of delightful design and user experiences, drawing on humanities-based theories including semiotics, rhetoric, and aesthetics. His design practice focuses on visual identity, type design, interface design, and graphic communication. He holds a PhD in Human–Computer Interaction, as well as graduate degrees in Information Design and Computer Science.⁠ ⁠ Read more about Omar via the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ We want to feature more individuals and programs on our social media channels and are seeking nominations from any K-12 or higher ed institution. If you would like to be featured or would like to nominate a fellow educator, please fill out this form (https://forms.gle/QJXBVJCrJZoDpbG79).

📣 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 📣 ⁠ ⁠ The 2026 Type Directors Club Scholarships are now accepting applications. Our program awards annual, talent-based scholarships with an emphasis on need and diversity. The scholarships are available to qualified students worldwide who demonstrate exceptional skill in typography, design, and creative vision. Read the specific requirements below.⁠ ⁠ Educators, we need your help spreading the word!⁠ ⁠ Deadline: Friday, April 17