For the first time since 2018, the DC design community gathered in person to celebrate the winners of this year’s AIGA50. This iteration of our biennial competition honored works created by professionals and students in the region between 2020 and 2022.
This biennial tradition showcased a dazzling array of talent spanning advertising campaigns, packaging design, interactive experiences, environmental design, and various other design disciplines. The event recognized the seasoned professionals and shone a spotlight on the future of design through the remarkable achievements of student winners. We awarded customized trophies crafted from a black-dyed anodized aluminum block, etched with the distinctive AIGA50 logo, the AIGA DC logo, and the winners’ name and entry information.
Breaking from tradition, we seamlessly integrated this year’s celebration into our 15th DC Design Week. The venue, Taoti Creative’s new events space in the heart of the Eastern Market neighborhood, provided the perfect backdrop for the gathering of creative minds. From seasoned creative executives to emerging designers, we united the best and brightest members of the creative community, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and inspiration.
We invited attendees to enjoy curated bites and refreshments while experiencing our winners’ work in our gallery. The showcased pieces included framed masterpieces, interactive displays, and tangible samples of physical work. One unique aspect of this year’s AIGA50 gala was the opportunity for attendees to bid on select pieces of the winners’ work, among other items. This not only added an element of excitement to the event but also contributed to fundraising efforts for the chapter’s Design Continuum Fund. The fund, dedicated to providing merit-based scholarships to students pursuing a design education, exemplified the commitment of the AIGA DC community to nurturing the next generation of designers.
The gala was heightened by the presence of creative powerhouse, Debbie Millman, who offered a workshop during DC Design Week and served as a judge for AIGA50. Millman’s remarks resonated deeply, emphasizing the crucial role of innovation during times of global crisis. Awards Chair Juan Pablo Madrid, AIGA DC President Raksa Yin, and DC Design Week Jr. Chair Kela Lester also provided opening remarks to set the tone for the evening.
The evening brought connection and inspiration to our attendees, marking a triumphant return of the DC creative community after the challenges of the past two years. AIGA DC eagerly anticipates the AIGA50 in 2025. We invite you to explore our online AIGA50 winners gallery at aiga50dc.org.
