AIGA DC is the DMV’s professional association for design. We’re a group of local leaders dedicated to sharing knowledge, skills, and resources with the local creative community.

Board members don’t need to work as designers: Past members have been writers, engineers, development or fundraising specialists, project managers, and business owners.

It’s important to our chapter that the AIGA DC Board of Directors be diverse and represent the DC design community. We aim to have a board with diversity in age, gender, industry, race, background, education, income, physical ability, and more. (Note: Nominees and applicants are not required to offer this information.)

To apply or submit a nomination, send us:

• Your resume
• A 1-2 paragraph description of a time when you ran something as a team lead, a project lead, managing people, planning an event – anything!
• A writing sample: Draft an email asking someone you admire to speak at an AIGA DC event! You can make up whatever logistics you like – time, date, location, other speakers, etc. We’re looking to get a sense of how you think about AIGA DC and how you write in a professional context. A good writing sample would communicate clear directions, offer a compelling pitch, and reflect who our community is. A great one would also tell us who you are and which parts of design you’re most excited about.

About the Communications Director role

This Executive Board Member role oversees the Communications team, which publishes our social media content, sends our weekly emails, and makes sure our words match AIGA DC’s brand voice/tone. 

Core responsibilities:

• Oversee the development and implementation of the chapter communication and marketing efforts.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to craft and execute an editorial calendar full of content each month.
• Collaborate with fellow AIGA DC boardies and volunteers to know which upcoming events we should promote, and which comms channels will be most effective.
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for fellow board members who serve on the Comms team.
• Monitor the chapter’s general email address, and direct inquiries to the appropriate team/board member.

Apply if you are someone who:

• Love engaging new people through online communications and social platforms.
• Enjoys designing and executing communication across diverse platforms, from video clips to newsletters.
• Is a motivated person with a vision for what AIGA DC can achieve and the drive to make it happen.
• Is a proactive team lead who enjoys mentorship and helping colleagues reach their full potential.
• Believes design can – and does – shape the world we live in.

About Being Part of the Executive Team

The Executive Leadership Team is responsible and accountable for developing and submitting their team’s strategy, project calendar, budget, and annual report summary. They shape the structure of their team and manage day-to-day activities. 

The Executive Leadership Team also mentors their individual team members, and helps them meet their professional goals. 

Why Join the Board?

AIGA DC’s board consists of 18 volunteers who organize local programming and communications for designers in the DMV region. 

Being on the Board is a great way to help shape and give back to our area’s creative community. You’ll develop skills in leadership, management, organization, and more while keeping DC designers informed of our chapter’s events, volunteer efforts, development workshops, and more. Bonus perk: Board members also attend all AIGA DC events for free 🙂

Board of Directors General Expectations 

Joining the AIGA DC Board is a two-year commitment. You can also serve for longer (and many do). At the end of each year, board members may decide if they want to keep their current role or move to another open position.

• Be (or become) AIGA members in good standing at any level. 
• Attend all required planning retreats and monthly board meetings.
• Attend major events. (Bonus: Board Members get into all our events for free!)
• Be responsive on Slack and email. Slack is our main communications platform, and we expect messages/emails to be answered within 24 hours excluding extenuating circumstances. 

Nomination Review & Interviews

During the open window of us accepting applications, AIGA DC’s Executive Board of Directors will review applications. The team will build a shortlist of candidates and arrange interviews with them between February through mid-March.

Taking into account individual skills and experiences, and with the expectation to create a board that is diverse and reflects the community it serves, the outgoing Communications Director will recommend the new Communications Director for approval by the current AIGA DC Board of Directors.

Invitations Extended to Join the Board

AIGA DC will extend an offer for one final candidate to join our board tentatively around the end of March.

If you have any other questions, please email us at talktous@dc.aiga.org.