![]() |
American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) - Join thoughtful design leaders and thinkers in moving the profession forward. Participate with 18,000 of your colleagues in advancing the value of design in all the things you do.
Art Directors Club (ADC) - The ADC is the premier organization for integrated media and the first international creative collective of its kind. Founded in New York in 1920, the ADC is a self-funding, not-for-profit membership organization that celebrates and inspires creative excellence, connecting creative visual communications professionals from around the world.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
Art Years - ArtYears is a cyber alumnus of art students & creative professionals. We aim to draw the creative community together by reaching out to like-minded professionals worldwide.The ArtYears portal is created and managed by a group of designers to keep in touch always.
Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD) - In 1996, RGD Ontario became the self-regulatory, professional body for graphic designers in the province of Ontario. The Association grants graphic designers who qualify the right to the exclusive use of the designations Registered Graphic Designer and R.G.D. and is the governing and disciplinary body for its members. RGD Ontario is the only graphic design association in Canada to have such legislation.
Association Typographique Internationale (ATypI ) - The premier worldwide organisation dedicated to type and typography. Founded in 1957, ATypI provides the structure for communication, information and action amongst the international type community.
Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) - The Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) is the national association for professional graphic designers. It was founded in 1988 to facilitate the advancement of the graphic design profession in Australia.
Color Association - The Color Association is the oldest color forecasting service in the US. Since 1915, the Association has been issuing color reports in elegant, fabric-swatched booklet form. The Color Association is the only forecasting service that selects its colors through a committee panel of eight to twelve industry professionals. The combined expertise of our committee members assures a thoughtful and innovative forecast, season after season.
Color Marketing Group (CMG) - Color Marketing Group is a not-for-profit, international Association of 1,300 Color Designers involved in the use of color as it applies to the profitable marketing of goods and services. CMG provides a forum for the exchange of non-competitive information on all phases of color marketing: color trends and combinations; design influences; merchandising and sales; and education and industry contacts.
Creative Business - The business resource for creative firm principals and freelancers. We're dedicated to helping you be more successful.
Creative Latitude - A worldwide community that unites various creative disciplines for collective promotion, education and ethical business practice.
Design Council - The Design Council enhances prosperity and well-being in the UK by demonstrating and promoting the vital role of design in a modern economy
Designers INK - Designers' INK is an organization run by design students at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. We realize that the classroom works great for teaching the fundamentals and methods of graphic design, but that's actually only part of the processes of becoming a professional designer.
Design Management Institute (DMI) - The Design Management Institute (DMI) is an international nonprofit organization that seeks to heighten awareness of design as an essential part of business strategy. Founded in 1975, DMI has become the leading resource and international authority on design management. DMI has earned a reputation worldwide as a multifaceted resource, providing invaluable know-how, tools and training through its conferences, seminars, membership program, and publications.
Graphic Artists Guild - The Graphic Artists Guild is a national union of illustrators, designers, web creators, production artists, surface designers and other creatives who have come together to pursue common goals, share their experience, raise industry standards, and improve the ability of visual creators to achieve satisfying and rewarding careers.
Graphic Arts Information Network (PIA/GATF) - The Graphic Arts Information Network is the world's largest graphic arts trade association, representing an industry with over 1 million employees and $156 billion in sales annually. More than 13,000 printing and graphic communications companies are currently enjoying the benefits of PIA/GATF membership.
Graphic Professionals Resource Network (IAPHC) - The IAPHC is an International organization. Dedicated to individuals in the printing and graphic arts industry. For the purpose of their self development, their companies' success and the enhancement of the printing and graphic arts industry in society. We connect, educate, inform and promote our members and the global graphic community, fostering their growth and success.
Grolier Club of New York - Founded in 1884, the Grolier Club of New York is America's oldest and largest society for bibliophiles and enthusiasts in the graphic arts. Named for Jean Grolier, the Renaissance collector renowned for sharing his library with friends, the Club's objective is to foster "the literary study and promotion of the arts pertaining to the production of books."
Institute of Designers in Ireland - The Institute of Designers in Ireland is the professional body representing the interests of Irish designers.
International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda) - Icograda is the world body for professional graphic design and visual communication
International Color Consortium (ICA) - The International Color Consortium was established in 1993 by eight industry vendors for the purpose of creating, promoting and encouraging the standardization and evolution of an open, vendor-neutral, cross-platform color management system architecture and components. The outcome of this co-operation was the development of the ICC profile specification.
International Association of Printing House Craftsmen (IAPHC) - The IAPHC is an International organization. Dedicated to individuals in the printing and graphic arts industry. For the purpose of their self development, their companies' success and the enhancement of the printing and graphic arts industry in society. We connect, educate, inform and promote our members and the global graphic community, fostering their growth and success.
Letter Exchange - The Letter Exchange, founded in 1988, is a society for professionals involved in the whole spectrum of the lettering arts and crafts, from calligraphy and letter-cutting, through design for print, publishing and typography, to signage and architectural lettering.
National Association of Photoshop Users (NAPP) - As a NAPP member, you'll have exclusive access to the NAPP members-only Web site "Photoshopuser.com." It's the biggest, most comprehensive Photoshop resource and online community on the entire Web. It features free weekly Photoshop training video tutorials, weekly tutorial columns and reviews, and it's where NAPP members from around the world gather to share ideas, techniques, and help each other. You also get the latest Photoshop news, Photoshop tips, actions, plug-ins, an online members gallery, job bank, free Photoshop tech support, and more. There's nothing else like it and it's just for NAPP members.
National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) - NAPL provides educational services and solutions that enable its graphics communications community members to grow their business and profit from change.
Organization of Black Designers - The Organization of Black Designers is a non-profit national professional association dedicated to promoting the visibility, education, empowerment and interaction of its membership and the understanding and value that diverse design perspectives contribute to world culture and commerce. The Organization of Black Designers (OBD) is the first national organization dedicated to addressing the unique needs of African-American design professionals. The OBD membership includes over 3,500 design professionals practicing in the disciplines of:
Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) - SEGD is an international non-profit educational organization providing resources for design specialists in the field of environmental graphic design, architecture, and landscape, interior, and industrial design. SEGD members are leading designers of directional and attraction sign systems, destination graphics, identity programs, exhibits, and themed environments.
Society of Graphic Designers of America (GDC) - The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) is Canada's national graphic design association. It is a member-based organization of design professionals, educators, administrators, students, and associates in communications, marketing, media and design-related fields.
Society for New Design (SND) - The Society for News Design (formerly the Society of Newspaper Design) is an international professional organization with more than 2,600 members in the United States, Canada and more than 50 other countries, divided into the 19 regions shown below.
Society of Publication Designers (SPD) - SPD encourages artistic excellence by judging annually the work of thousands of design professionals in the United States and abroad. The activities of SPD promote the art director's role as visual journalist and partner in the editorial process -- the partner responsible for telescoping and shaping information, the one who gives tone to an editorial voice.
RECENT ARTICLES from Graphic Design BloG
Business Cards: Ideas and Inspiration, Part II
Today we continue looking at business cards that stand out, and here’s hoping you get some inspiration and ideas! After all, you only get one first impression, so your business card should be something that showcases the best of your design abilities. On Wednesday we looked at the use of interesting shapes, 3D business cards, [...]
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
|
Business Cards: Ideas and Inspiration, Part I
As a graphic designer, your business card should do more than let people know how to contact you. If you’re interested in truly making a good first impression, the business card has got to stand out. Whether through color, design, die cutting, unique materials, 3D shapes, or actual samples of your work, a stand-out business [...]
Collaborating and Negotiating: Part II
Today, we’re looking at the collaboration side of negotiation and collaboration in graphic design. Because your work is ultimately for the client, at times you as the designer must be willing to compromise to reach a mutually agreeable goal. Here are some tips to help you collaborate with clients.
Ways to Collaborate
Listen. On page 28 [...]
Collaborating and Negotiating: Part I
It’s there in the design brief: the problem your client wants you to solve. But whether your objective is to create an advertisement, exhibition or public announcement, sometimes you and the client aren’t quite on the same page about what exactly the best design solution is. OC Photographer asked a great question about the collaborating [...]
When Things Go Bad: 5 Tips for Firing Clients
Most graphic designers will be in a similar situation at some point: the client will not pay, the client is never satisfied with your work yet won’t collaborate to fix it, or you simply realize that you and the client are not meshing. Regardless of when and why you need to fire a client, everyone [...]
Tips for Working with Clients: Approaching the Relationship
Whether you’re looking for design classes, design degree programs, internships or first jobs, it’s important to choose an option that will help you learn clear communication, especially when it comes to designer/client relationships. Knowing how to work with clients should always be part of a successful graphic design education. The following tips can help you [...]
Working for Good: Pro Bono Design, Part II
If you’re interested in doing pro bono graphic design work, it’s important to educate yourself about smart ways to do it. Once you’ve got some guidelines, you can approach your pro bono work with creativity; unless your client specifically requests it, you don’t need to limit yourself to a brochure. Consider these ideas for pro [...]
All Graphic Design Resources is a Directory Full of Tools for Graphic Designers
All Graphic Design Portal is a Graphic Design education directory with resources & articles for Graphic Designers & Web Designers including a Design forum, blog, graphics software tips, graphic design jobs, advice for new designers about design schools and education as well as tips for freelance graphic design business owners, and much more.