How AIGA at Friends Can Help You Build Your Creative Future

You might’ve heard of AIGA before becoming a student, you might have no idea what it is, or maybe you’ve seen a poster on campus and the name sounds a little familiar. I’ll give you a quick one-sentence rundown of what AIGA on campus is: a group of creative-oriented students aiming to connect with others through the power of design. Want to know more? Need to get involved? I’ll go more in-depth.

AIGA is a global organization, the letters standing for American Institute of Graphic Arts, with hundreds of professional chapters and tons of student chapters across the country. Two years ago, the current officers of AIGA at Friends, with some encouragement from our professors, decided we needed to bring a student chapter to Wichita. Our creation was uplifted by the official Wichita chapter, and our club sprouted and grew through official citywide events and our own on-campus activities. We went from seeing design as schoolwork to pushing ourselves forward into the professional field. Through our student chapter, we volunteer at AIGA’s community events, participate in competitions, collaborate on creative projects, and get exposure to what design looks like in the real world.

For me personally, I see our participation in AIGA’s Student Portfolio Forum as something that really pushed me forward as a creative professional. Our club prepares for this annual event by curating our portfolios, crafting resumes, and printing business cards. SPF allows students like me to present my work in front of Wichita’s design professionals, getting honest feedback and my foot in the door of the local creative scene. The panels during SPF also offer great insight into what employers are looking for, industry trends, and how to make the transition from student to designer. It’s an incredible experience that makes the design world feel less intimidating and more achievable.

Alongside our participation in professional events, we also aim to provide a fun, safe space for creative students. Whether you need design help, a critique, or just want to make new friends who understand the struggle of all-nighters and creative block; our space is open. AIGA at Friends is a place to let your creativity flow freely. Got a deadline coming up? We plan worknights for big deals like First Friday student shows, the end-of-the-semester Student Showcase, or any project we’re working on! We’ve hosted workshops, art crawls, and collaborative design projects that help our members grow both personally and professionally.

In AIGA, we’ve built more than just a club; we’ve created a community. Whether you’re a graphic designer, photographer, painter, or creative-minded, there’s a place for you here. AIGA at Friends is here to support you, connect you, and guide you toward your creative future.