On creativity, community, and finding connection wherever life takes you.

Where did your AIGA journey begin?
LH: Over 20 years ago, I joined AIGA as a student at SCAD and have stayed involved throughout my career — through many moves, jobs, and chapters of life. AIGA has helped shape not only my professional network, but how I think about connecting to a larger creative community.

You’ve lived in eight states. What has AIGA meant through all those moves?
LH: AIGA has been a creative constant. Moving somewhere new can be daunting, and having an established design community gives you an immediate place to land.

Why have you stayed involved for more than two decades?
LH: Because creative careers are better with community! The jobs, cities, and technology change, but having other designers to learn from, collaborate with, and be inspired by never stops being valuable.

What does AIGA offer that you can’t get from Instagram or LinkedIn?
LH: Actual relationships. Social media is great for seeing work, but there’s something completely different about knowing the people behind it and being part of a local creative organization.

Has AIGA influenced your career?
LH: Absolutely. It exposed me to different disciplines, perspectives, and people at every stage of my career — and reinforced the idea that design is much bigger than the work happening on your own screen.

Why AIGA Colorado now?
LH: After moving to Colorado, getting involved felt like a natural way to become part of the creative world here. Colorado has an incredible mix of designers, artists, makers, agencies, nonprofits, and independent creatives. I’ve also lived in three very different parts of Colorado, and there’s a unique advantage to having a statewide chapter — with remote opportunities to connect and get involved across different regions, that community doesn’t have to be limited by where you live.

What would you say to someone wondering if they should join?
LH: Don’t wait until you “need” a network. Join because you want to be part of one. The relationships you build now may become collaborators, mentors, friends, clients — or simply folks who make you feel more engaged with your profession.

Describe AIGA in three words.
LH: Community. Connection. Possibility.

Connect with Lynda on LinkedIn or email Lynda_Hodge@me.com