About

The Sponsors

The Social Studies conference is a project of AIGA in partnership with Adobe Systems. The conference hosted by the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore.

The Producers

Graphic Design MFA program at MICA:

Helen Armstrong

Kristian Bjørnard

Ryan Clifford

Danielle Davis

Joe Galbreath

Joo Ha

Lindsey Muir

Tony Venne

Faculty:

Ellen Lupton &

Jennifer Cole Phillips

The Committee

Audra Buck-Coleman

Assistant Professor of Design at the University of Maryland; co-author of Sticks+Stones, a collaborative exchange of design students exploring labeling and stereotyping. MFA, Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Bernard Canniffe

Co-Chair, Graphic Design BFA, MICA; leader of the MICA/JHU partnership, which educates East Baltimore residents about public health issues.

Joseph Coates

The Co-Chairs

Ellen Lupton

Director, Graphic Design MFA, MICA; author and editor of numerous books, including Thinking with Type and D.I.Y.: Design It Yourself.

Jennifer Cole Phillips

Associate Director, Graphic Design MFA, MICA; co-author of Graphic Design: The New Basics; award-winning designer.

Brockett Horne

Co-Chair, Graphic Design BFA, MICA; graphic designer and member of AIGA’s National Design Educator’s Committee.

Conference Theme

This AIGA design educators' conference addresses the social life of design. Graphic designers work with clients, institutions, users, and communities to make things happen in the world. Yet education often focuses on the individual voice. How are we preparing students for a lifetime of working with and for other people? How are our students connecting to the world? Come participate in a relaxed and stimulating weekend of lively discussions, hands-on workshops, and informal activities.