Our social design director and subject of this month’s Board Member Spotlight, Jami Dodson sat down to fill us in on what this Southerner has been doing in Baltimore for the last decade.

“I moved here for grad school after working in advertising in Chicago,” she says, “I’ve always worked on the agency or design firm side and have recently switched it up by moving to an in-house team at a nonprofit. We’ve just built the marketing team from the ground up and the work has been very fulfilling and inspiring.”

When it comes to design, Jami’s says, for her, it’s all about the process.

“It’s problem solving,” she says, “that requires responsibility, intellect, and insight that’s clearly articulated to intended audiences. You can work for hours on something and then somehow when you’re about to give up and go be a farmer, it all comes together.”

About joining the AIGA Baltimore board, she says, “I’d been on the sideline of the Baltimore design community for awhile and decided it was time. I’d like to expand the role of what it means to be a designer by advocating for how our abilities can help to create social change. We have a lot to offer and I want to encourage designers to be active participants in the world around them.”

Speaking of the world, if she could paint her surroundings with one color, what would she choose?

“Any shade of green,” she nods, “Pantone 340 or Crayola’s yellow green.”

In her spare time, Jami says she likes to get outdoors and head to one of Baltimore’s parks.

“I love our city parks. Druid Hill Park has so many different parts to it. Nearby is Cylburn Arboretum, my favorite spot to take a walk or sprawl out on a blanket. It’s a hidden respite.”

When not designing or enjoying the outdoors, Jami says she’s often in the kitchen. Currently, her obsession is making fresh ricotta and grilling pizza. Next up: kimchi and sauerkraut.

“I really want to get to South America and Southeast Asia. The food alone would be worth the trip. Finding a chunk of time to take off is the hard part. Sagmeister was onto something when he recommended everyone take sabbaticals…it’s really important to step away from the screen.”

We totally agree.