Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected World 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.

The Social Studies conference is a project of AIGA, sponsored by Adobe Systems. The conference is hosted by the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

The Aspen Design Challenge calls for multidisciplinary teams of students to demonstrate the power of design thinking in addressing global problems and to raise awareness of the need for fresh water. AIGA sent a draft brief to faculty around the world, encouraging assignment of the Challenge this fall. Selected projects will be presented at the Aspen Institute and finalists will be provided three weeks to refine ideas in Copenhagen next summer. Finished projects will be presented during the World Summit on Climate Change in the fall of 2009. Application information can be found at www.aiga.org/aspen-design-challenge. Click here for more information.