Like most boards, the AIGA Baltimore board is comprised of 100% volunteers. So you can get to know the board and recognize some faces at our events, we are featuring board members. Today’s post focuses on Meg Marx, our Volunteer Chair!

Q. Tell us about yourself.
A. “I’m from Marinette, couldn’t be prouder. If you can’t hear me, I’ll yell a little louder!”

That’s Meg, reciting a retro cheer from her mom, a former cheerleader. She hails from Marinette, WI, forty-five minutes north of Green Bay (“Go Pack go!”) and came to Baltimore by way of Hell’s Kitchen “for love and the smell of green”—trees, that is. Meg, who once worked in a factory making all kinds of pistons, loves fine wine, kayaking, walking, and taking pictures of fireflies. She currently teaches at Towson and Stevenson Universities.

Q: What do you love about design?
A: The method behind the madness. The constant learning. You never know what you’re gonna get sideswiped with!

Q: What do you love about being on the board?
A: The connection, community, support, and interaction it provides. Plus, I can act as a liaison for my students.

Q: What part of Baltimore inspires you?
A: Station North. There’s hope and change happening there. It’s interesting when you’re driving through there not to experience the stigma that used to be attached to the area. It’s full of beautiful old buildings. I don’t experience the same caution as many lifelong Baltimore residents do because I didn’t grow up here and wasn’t exposed to the recent history of that neighborhood, but the people and sense of community in the city are inspiring. It’s a true small town feel—and I would know, I grew up in one!

Q: If Baltimore was an ice cream flavor what would it be? 
A: Rocky road, because of the awfully potholed streets. Also the water main breaks, which are an obsession. I love photographing potholes and water main breaks.

Q: Name a song that inspires you.
A: I have loved Barbara Streisand since the fourth grade!

Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
A: The Galapagos Islands. I’ve been fascinated with them since reading the “G” volume of the encyclopedia in grade school.

Like most boards, the AIGA Baltimore board is comprised of 100% volunteers. So you can get to know the board and recognize some faces at our events, we are featuring board members. Today’s post focuses on Alissa Jones, our President!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
A. Alissa was born in New York and grew up Florida. Later she went to college at the Savannah College of Art and Design and soon after met her husband Neil. After getting married, Alissa and Neil moved to Japan where she taught English. Alissa currently lives in Baltimore and both teaches and freelances.

For fun Alissa likes biking, knitting, sewing, letterpress and anything to do with printmaking.

Q. What do you love about design?
A. I like playing with letters, but more recently I enjoy branding and studying the client/designer process.

Q. Why did you decide to join the AIGA Baltimore board?
A. Events and networking. I wanted to go to events that did not exist. Now that I sit on the board, I’m able to help implement new programs that did not exist before. Another highlight I enjoy is meeting new members both locally and nationally.

Q. Favorite drink of choice?
A. Chocolate milkshake!

Q. What is your favorite font?
A. Don’t have one. The purpose and history determine which typeface I use.

Q. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
A. Whether it is locally or outside the U.S., I  prefer being “off-the beaten path”, anyplace where I can be exposed to culture.

Like most boards, the AIGA Baltimore board is comprised of 100% volunteers. So you can get to know the board and recognize some faces at our events, we are featuring board members. Today’s post focuses on Rachel Beser, our Membership Chair!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
A. I was born outside Philly and grew up in Baltimore county. I have family in Baltimore…grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. I currently work as a Web and Social Media Specialist creating and maintaining public websites for our biggest client, the U.S. Army. I enjoy board games, taking walks, and reading. Some of the best books are the ones I judged by their cover. Vaclav & Lena has a beautiful cover and a touching story. I’m in to cooking—currently dabbling in fritatas. I also like exploring cities and finding inspiration, going away from the path to see where it takes you.

Q. What do you love about design?
A. I love that design is everywhere and tactile. You see design when you wake up and when you get out of bed and how the earth itself is designed. I love that there are so many different perspectives you can pull from and create something completely different. Design thinks about art and function as well. A lot of people can be designers thinking both with the right and left brain. It is always evolving.

Q. What do you like about being on the AIGA Baltimore board?
A. I like that I can give back to the community. I have met designers, mentors, and like-minded individuals, and AIGA is a way I can volunteer and give back.

Q. Name a song that inspires you.
A. I like the song Baltimore – Caleb and Saleem. The song speaks to the truth of Baltimore. We are a vibrant and innovative city with a down to earth feel. It also speaks the truth that we unify classes with music, arts, and culture in the best ways possible. This song goes on full blast!

Q. If you were a font what would you be?
A. I would be Aldine Expanded, because its a western retro font. I feel like its more modern and curvy, and feels homey and excepting, a place that is old and comfortable but surprises you.

Q. If you could paint the world with one color, name that Pantone.
A. PMS 377. Soy based and environmentally friendly.

Like most boards, the AIGA Baltimore board is comprised of 100% volunteers. So you can get to know the board and recognize some faces at our events, we are featuring board members. Today’s post focuses on Kristin Sinclair our Communications Director!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
A. I was born in Connecticut and grew up in Columbia, Md. I loved being outside and thought when cows ate grass, I thought it would taste like spaghetti! I moved to Baltimore four years ago, to different parts of the city. Hampden for a year, Fells Point for a year, and Fed Hill for a few years. I currently don’t live in the city because of location of the company I art direct for. They specialize in direct mail and fundraising. I like that we work with different nonprofits to help them achieve their goals for raising money for a specific cause. I like that I design for a good cause.

For fun I volunteer with Taproot Foundation to help nonprofit organizations directly with different design solutions. I want to get back into martial arts. I also enjoy spending time with my boyfriend and my dog. I like wandering around shops for antiques because it’s an amazing feeling to see design through generations.

Q. What do you love about design?
A. I love the tactile aspect of it. Design has such an important purpose; everything is designed from magazine, to a product, to a conversation. The fact that we are empowered to shape and design experiences for people is amazing. I love the feeling that we are translating ideas and messages for audiences to help people easily understand messages. You are basically saying this is how you should communicate to your audience; it’s almost like playing G-D.

Q. What do you like about being on the AIGA Baltimore board?
A. I like that I can connect to the Baltimore community. I get to meet people like me and network with people I wouldn’t normally meet otherwise. I like being on a board with people who have similar passions, but who think differently. Everyone seems to inspire others to do a better job and inspire me to do more.

Q. Name a must-see spot in Baltimore that you wouldn’t find in a travel guidebook.
A. The must see is under 29th street bridge. It’s a space where people can go paint and create different styles of street art over layers of previous street art. I think it’s a good place to see graffiti evolve because it’s an area that is mostly untouched. I recommend wearing long pants and closed toed shoes. When you go, you can see where other artists have respected other artist’s space.

Q. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
A. Japan, because I have a love for Japanese culture. The respect they have for their own culture and keeping traditions is inspiring. I have loved the culture since I was a kid taking Ninjitsu. There is such a calming effect for me when experiencing their art, culture, food, etc. As a designer, I am inspired by their precise work ethic.

Q. Favorite drink of choice?
A. Tom Collins: Gin, sour mix, club soda and a cherry in a tall glass. When I used to go to Sonar, I would order it, and the bartender would tell me “You are 50 because it’s an old man drink.” It actually makes me like it more!