It’s been a minute, hasn’t it?
Like many organizations, we’ve navigated real ups and downs over the past few years. But here’s what I want you to know: AIGA Colorado is worth fighting for. We have over 100 years of legacy behind us—our chapter alone is over 30 years old—and that’s something you don’t just let fade away.
We’re ready to find the people who want to help shape the next iteration of this professional organization.
Why Now
The world has changed. How we design has changed. You know this. But our profession’s fundamental value hasn’t. We move culture and business forward. We understand the human side: the emotion, the psychology, the nuance of color and typography, the subtle differences in cultural expression that actually move the needle in the marketplace.
This is the moment to activate that power locally.
What’s Coming
We’re hosting gatherings to reconnect with past board members, celebrate a chapter fellow’s poster collection at the Denver Art Museum, bring back the speaker series, and explore conversations around AI ethics and workflow. We’re also eager to hear what you want to experience. Because it’s your future as much as ours.
Better Together
Here’s the beautiful part: you’re not reinventing the wheel. Nationally, the organization provides playbooks, guidelines, mentorship, and a network of peers across the country.
You can host events virtually to reach practitioners nationally, or locally to create those intimate conversations that actually build community. You have support just a message, email, or dare I say, a phone call, away. The chapter has the infrastructure to make it possible with a very large reach.
And more importantly, you have local wisdom and support. Every new board member will be paired with a board mentor who was a previous board leader. We have a group who have stepped up to be your Sherpa, your guide, your support system through this. I can tell you from experience. The best part is collaborating with people you didn’t know before and seeing great things through. We will help make that happen.
The Ask
We’re not asking for perfection or burnout. The goal for the next board is 6 events per year; a sustainable rhythm that allows for quality and presence. The priority is finding a steady cadence and building professional conversations shaped around the head, heart, and hand framework to inspire our intellectual side, impact our community, and elevate our craft.
We also encourage you to co-host events with other organizations around town. AIGA Colorado is a tool to build community for our members and the design community at large. When we partner and collaborate, we amplify our impact.
Your Move
If you have ambitions to shape the Denver, Boulder, and Greater Colorado design community (the culture, the conversation, the future of the profession), this is your chance. Nominations are happening in October. We’re actively looking for people who believe this work matters and are willing to show up. A couple of hours a week.
Here’s what I know: when you bring people together with intention, create space for connection and learning, and honor the profession and the people in it… magic happens. I know you know this. We have the infrastructure, the members, the national network. All it needs is activation. All it needs is you.
Let’s Talk
Curious but not sure? Want to talk through what board membership looks like? Reach out and let’s connect you with previous board members, current leaders, and anyone who can answer your questions.
The answers are still a work in progress. This is a rebuilding moment, which means there’s real opportunity to shape what comes next. And the best work happens when people who genuinely care show up and lead together. We trust that person is reading this letter, and we can’t wait to meet you.
With excitement and gratitude.
Elysia Syriac, Charles Carpenter, Jenny Taylor, activating Denver
Colin Christie & Joseph Bullard, leading Colorado Springs
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Ready to get involved?
Reach out at president@aigacolorado.org.
Nominations open for all positions in October.