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 Jennifer Marin, our Education & Professional Development Director!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
A. I am Northern Italian (from Livorno, a port city on the western coast of Tuscany) and Venezuelan. I moved to Baltimore from Caracas 15 years ago to live with my mother and attend college. I never returned home and eventually I became a citizen, choosing Baltimore as my new home. I’ve taught design courses at Towson University and currently I am the senior designer at an in-house design department in Columbia. We work primarily in book and video publishing, but have begun expanding our expertise as the digital movement sweeps over our industry.

Q. What do you love about design?
A. Design thinking doesn’t provide the “right answer” but rather a myriad of ways to approach a solution. I love being challenged to find creative solutions. Ironically, at best, I can draw a stick figure.

Q. Why did you decide to join the AIGA Baltimore board?
A. I’m excited to be an active part of the Baltimore design community. I see the benefits of a strong chapter, and I want to help make our chapter as strong as AIGA DC.

Q. What is your passion?
A. Other than design, I love to cook. Before I chose my career as a designer, I went to culinary school. I wanted to be a chef. I worked at a few local restaurants when I realized that for me, the art of cooking was more enjoyable in the comfort of my home where I could experiment freely with new ingredients and recipes and where I didn’t have to clock in and out, work long hours and sweat profusely behind a hot stove. Of course, this was before the Food Network craze, when being a chef was not as fashionable and hip as it is today.

Q. What is a must-see spot in Baltimore?
A. I love the sidewalk culture in Mt. Vernon. The architecture of our city is beautiful, especially around the Peabody and Mt. Washington Monument.

Q. What is your favorite summertime drink?
A. Pineapple, cilantro & lime margarita from El Gato Negro in New Orleans. One of the most refreshing drinks I’ve ever had.

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 Brian Ghiloni our Vice President!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
A. I grew up in New Hampshire and moved to Baltimore for college to study painting. Since graduating, I’ve moved away and back a couple of times, but I’ve always considered Baltimore home. I’ve been fortunate to also live in Seattle, Ireland, and Italy. Currently, I help run a 2-person design studio specializing in exhibit and special event design. We work with a broad spectrum of clients including Fortune 500 companies, local businesses, nonprofits, and governmental organizations. More recently, we worked on the NATO and the G8 Summits.

Q. What do you love about design?
A. I love the fact that I’m constantly challenged creatively. Design has the potential to have a much greater reach than fine arts. Design isn’t simply about making beautiful things. The Design for Good initiative is a perfect example of designers participating in larger conversations about important issues that affect us all.

Q. Why did you decide to join the AIGA board?
A. I joined the board to connect with local designers and give back to the design community. I want to see Baltimore designers succeed!

Q. What is your favorite Jon Waters Film?
A. Pink Flamingos

Q. Where is the best Baltimore crabcake?
A. Koco’s on Harford Road.

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 Courtney Glancy, our Programming Director!

Q: What is your background and history in design?
A: I was born and bred in Baltimore, have never left and don’t plan to—I love this city!  (Everyone in Baltimore seems to ask where you when to high school; Courtney’s on top of that one.) Before you have to ask, I went to Dulaney High School. I was an Interdisciplinary Studies Major in Visual Communication Design and Business at Villa Julie College. While I know there was a name change, I didn’t attend Stevenson!  After leaving an (unnamed) agency after 6 years, I ventured off to become my own boss and haven’t looked back.

Q: Do you like working for yourself?
A:  It’s great to live and breathe a job you love. Makes waking up and shuffling into my Canton home office much easier.

Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Recently married to my husband, John, my definition of “fun” is going to the farmers market together or enjoying fine food and drinks with good company, attending concerts, or belting favorite 80s tunes during karaoke at Walt’s Inn. AMC is my TV channel of choice.

Q: How would you spend the 8th day of your week?
A: Start with fresh cinnamon rolls, good coffee and some time to catch up on our DVR.

Q:  What do you love about design?
A: One Christmas when I was 12 years old I received Print Shop Deluxe and spent the entire day creating fake ads. I’ve been on a quest for visual organization, good design, and clear communication ever since. (She says as she looks down at a diner menu in desperate need of design and hierarchy).

Q: Why did you decide to join the AIGA Baltimore board?
A: AIGA provides connectivity and interaction with people interested in design. I spend my days talking to my four office mates …errr…cats—the human companionship helps balance my days and keeps me sane. I look forward to serving the Baltimore design community and being an active part of it.

Q: If Baltimore was an ice cream flavor what would it be?
A: Bacon, because it’s a little weird and unusual.

Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
A: Southern Spain. Love the culture, the food, the history, and especially the people.

Q: Name a must-see spot in Baltimore that you wouldn’t find in a travel guidebook.
A: There are two spots I’d suggest. 1) You’ve got to check out the farmers markets, and 2) the alley behind Single Carrot Theater off of North Avenue has some great graffiti that is always changing.

Courtney looks forward to meeting more AIGA members at future events.

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!

This week, the Baltimore Design School had their repurposing ceremony at the old Lebow Clothing Factory. What is the Baltimore Design School? It is a new public middle-high school offering fashion, architecture and graphic design. The school has its first year under its belt with a 6th grade and 7th grade class. They will be continuing to add 6th and 7th graders to get to a full set of students through grade 12. The redesigned building will include art galleries, studios, classrooms, computer labs and fabrication facilities. Until the building is ready, the students are studying at Winston Middle School. Check out the Baltimore Design School’s website for more information (something to surely keep an eye on)!