In this episode of Cheers & Tiers, we engage with Gage Mitchell, a design leader and advocate for sustainable practices. Gage shares his journey through various AIGA chapters, emphasizing the importance of community building and leadership in design. This conversation explores the leadership journey of a prominent figure in AIGA, focusing on their experiences with organizing events, the value of leadership retreats, and the importance of building connections within the design community. Gage shares insights on leading retreats, fostering community impact, and the collaborative efforts of the Design for Good Task Force. They discuss the importance of harnessing the power of design to create meaningful experiences and the role of leadership in fostering creativity. The conversation also touches on practical advice for restarting AIGA Seattle, emphasizing the need to start small and empower others.

Key Takeaways

• Joining AIGA was a pivotal moment in Gage's career.
• He started a student group to engage with AIGA early on.
• Community building opened doors for Gage before graduation.
• Gage's journey includes multiple AIGA chapters across the U.S.
• Networking creates a powerful national community for designers.
• Unexpected connections often lead to the most meaningful relationships.
• Leadership retreats provide opportunities for learning and sharing knowledge.
• The integration of design, sustainability, and inclusion is crucial for impactful solutions.
• Creating frameworks for design can help facilitate better community solutions.
• Design for good emphasizes community engagement in the creative process.
• Starting small can lead to greater community involvement.
• Empowering others prevents burnout in leadership roles.
• Design leadership involves planting seeds for growth.
• Memorable experiences strengthen bonds within the design community.

Episode Chapters

05:51 Building Community Through AIGA

09:03 Transitioning to New Cities and AIGA Chapters

11:59 Leadership Retreat Experiences

14:51 Reflections on Community Building and Leadership

19:12 The Value of Leadership Retreats

21:03 Memorable Moments Beyond Programming

23:40 FOMO and Connection Building

25:14 Impact of Connections on Career

26:42 Design for Good Task Force and Collaboration

29:06 Integrating Design, Sustainability, and Inclusion

33:37 Leading Leadership Retreats

36:45 Community Impact through Leadership

39:21 Design for Good: Engaging Communities

40:44 Harnessing the Power of Design

41:38 Creating Space for Creativity

43:02 Restarting AIGA Seattle: Advice for New Leaders

45:30 Building Community: Start Small and Grow

46:50 Pyramid Memories: Fun and Connection

49:04 In-Person Connections: The Future of AIGA Seattle

Featuring

• Guest Gage Mitchell, connect on LinkedIn
• Host Erik Cargill, connect on LinkedIn
• Host Rachel Elnar, connect on LinkedIn

Support the Show

• Theme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic Oceans
• Produced by Chapter 2 Media
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