AIGA

Wednesday Webs: I AM AIGA

Adunate is a proud sustaining member of AIGA

I just renewed my annual AIGA membership. This is a big expense for me, a solo entrepreneur, but it’s a statement I’m willing to make. I support the joining together of creative professionals, both newcomers and seasoned professionals.

On that note, among others, here’s an interesting article on AIGA’s opinion of the logo for Tokyo’s Olympics 2020:

No Pain, No Gain Doesn’t Apply to Desk Chairs

Office
Last year around this time I pulled something in my back. Technically, it was a herniated disc, which then pinched a femoral nerve down the front of my leg. Normally I wouldn’t know such anotomical terms except it hurt so much I broke down and went to a doctor. What a drag.

I’ve gotta admit I’m a wimp for anything medical. Determined that this should never happen again, I got right on the ball with preventative measures (yes, pun intended, as my photo above shows). My goal: better posture, more exercise and strengthening my back (I do believe they refer to this whole area as core strength, of which, after four kids and too much desk-time, I have none).

I also started researching desk chairs.

Exercise Ball

My first experiment was using my exercise ball as a desk chair. Initially it was fun. I put on some music and started jive-bouncin’ away. I was like—hey, I’m exercising my back while I’m working! I can do two things at once! Then, because coordination isn’t one of my inherent traits, I literally rolled onto the floor. When I did manage to stay upright, I noticed I was subconsciously stabilizing the ball with my feet and arching too far forward with my torso.

The ball was out.

Swopper

Ergonomic Chairs

I then researched brand names for their innovative furniture. Gaiam: Not too expensive. Swopper: More expensive. Herman Miller’s Aeron Chair: Way too expensive.

The Swopper was most intriguing. I liked the idea of training muscles and my moving joints, and when I tried one at Century House I really liked it. It’s comfortable, stable and, yes, I really, really like it. But wow, $699 is a lot of money for a chair. And besides, what if sometimes I actually want to sit back and relax?

The Swopper was delegated to my “maybe someday, when I have more money” list.

Disc

Voilà. The Balance Disc

Enter the balance disc, a.k.a sitting disc or exercise disc. Last month, for less than $50, I bought Dynatronic’s 15″ inflatable cushion with a smooth sitting surface on one side and a textured foot massage on the other. It combines the core workout of an exercise ball or Swopper with the continued use of my well-worn and comfortable chair. What’s really nice is when I need a break from such active sitting, I just throw it on the floor and work without it.

So far, I love it!

Speaking of chairs, today AIGA is officially celebrating a century of design. There are exciting design events in the months ahead, including Facing Forward, an AIGA National Design Center exhibit in New York City featuring member-designed Windsor chairs. I’m looking forward to seeing them!

My AIGA is Fashion Freedom

Adunate works its magic from a 1917 American Foursquare in southeastern WIsconsin

Do you ever read Penelope Trunk? She’s a career columnist and founder of four startups, most recently Quistic. I follow her blog because she’s a marketing genius and if I don’t learn something from her, I know I will from her huge following of commenters.

So Penelope is quite—how shall we say—unique. Every once in a while I smile and totally relate with what she’s written, like her recent post “Your weird behavior is the key to finding your career niche”. What’s obvious is that Penelope and many of her followers have rather unrefined dress habits. They do the Steve-Jobs-black-turtleneck-and-blue-jeans thing where they wear the same clothes every day. Some have several of the same item; for example, one commenter has “15 Talbots cardigans in different colors.” Others simply wear the same single piece day after day. And finally there are some who, to which Penelope admits, are rather remiss in the personal hygiene department.

I can relate to wearing the same clothes every day. Rest assured, they’re the same clean clothes.

Being self-employed in the middle of nowhere affords me the freedom of working unseen by the scrutinizing public. That’s my home office up above and each day if I wear one of the many pairs of identical yoga pants I own just because they’re warm and cozy, who’s going to know?

(Just a little aside: The great thing about having a limited wardrobe is the justification for spending more on each piece. If you’re going to repeatedly wash and wear the same things, they’d better be of good quality.)

Anyways, let’s get to the real point of my story.

My AIGA means I have the freedom wear slippers to work.

This month AIGA is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Formally known as the American Institute of Graphic Arts, AIGA is the oldest and largest professional membership organization for graphic designers. In some ways, being an AIGA member is what enables me to scuff around in this stylish footwear. AIGA keeps me and thousands of other one-outfit-wearing entrepreneurs connected to the professional world of business and design.

AIGA uses the term My AIGA a lot. Members use it to describe what the organization means to them. My AIGA is advocation, education, ethics, fellowship and resources.

And freedom.

Freedom to wear the same clothes everyday if, for whatever reason, that’s what I want to do.

 

 

Wednesday Webs: Forward With AIGA

Mail from AIGA

My annual AIGA membership dues are up for renewal and I have to admit each year I do an evaulating cringe when writing that check. At a hefty $295, they are some expensive dues.

Oh, wait. Last year they were only $275. And this year they’re at a tiered level for even less.

Is this membership worth it to me, a small (and highly professional), one-woman show? Yes, I think so.

  • AIGA is campaigning to be accessible to more designers. Here’s an explanation of its new membership model.
  • Morning Blend is an intimate group of creatives—what else can you be at 7:15 in the morning! We’re also very welcoming. Our first gathering for the season is this coming Tuesday, Sept 11. Do join us!
  • EDGE as in educational. This month’s presentation is Cognitive-Based Information Design, by Lou Tetlan, Ph.D. Wednesday, Sept. 19: 6:30-8:30 PM.
  • AIGA Wisconsin is alive and growing. Check out all the stuff going on!

Are you a designer? Are you in AIGA? It’s great for networking, getting involved and learning!

AIGA is Like a Fine Wine

grapes on vines

For the past three years, my husband and I have been planting grapes. Each year we add another row and now we’re up to 36 vines of Marquette, Frontenac and Frontenac Gris. As you can see by the one dried, bug-eaten yuck, we still don’t have this viticulture thing fully mastered. But we’re learning. And one thing that’s helping is our membership in the Wisconsin Grape Growers Association (WGGA).

As a business, I have membership in other organizations as well. They’re all paid memberships, but none of them so costly as the AIGA membership I renewed this week. It’s annual dues are a whopping $295 and for a one-chick design agency like mine, this is no small change.

But here’s why I’m a proud member of AIGA and gladly squeeze out the money.

AIGA is the professional association for graphic designers. It was founded in 1914 as the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and it’s the oldest and largest organization for design. Yes, being a member of AIGA is kind of a status thing for designers. And, yes, I suppose you could say it’s one we can simply buy into. But when designers join AIGA, it shows they’re committed to a high standard of professional ethics. It shows they believe “designers serve a critical role as communicators, educators and innovators.”

As a designer, AIGA does a lot for me. It offers a plethora of benefits, including product discounts, members-only job listings, and more resources than I can mention in one blog post. But what I value most is the camaraderie. Being a solo entrepreneur is great. But it’s also…well…solo-ish. Sometimes I feel isolated. Sometimes I want to bounce ideas off another designer or learn something new. Here’s where AIGA is especially helpful.

So, come Tuesday, September 6, when everyone else is lagging back to work after a 3-day weekend, we Madison AIGA’ers are going to hold off another hour or so. We’ll be gathering for our Morning Blend of coffee and conversation. This month’s topic is social media—do join us!

Or if evening and a glass of wine are more to your liking, Madison AIGA is presenting Hey Neighbor, An Evening With Local Creatives on Thursday, September 8. Check it out!

In addition to AIGA and the Wisconsin Grape Growers Association, Adunate is also a proud member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation and the Seed Savers Exchange.