For member discounted tickets please login through the AIGA WM website here.

Tickets:
AIGA Members: $85
Non-Members: $120

AIGA Student Members: $65
Student Non-Members: $75

AIGA West Michigan, in partnership with GVSU's Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, presents Get Your Shit Together.

Are you tired of flying by the seat of your pants without a real strategy or understanding of how to move your career path forward? This event is designed to provide you with the tools and strategies to get your shit together and move forward confidently. Whether you are a freelancer, business owner or in-house creative there are topics covering the full range of business skills. Bonus! We will end our day with our keynote speaker, designer & letterer, Adé Hogue.

During the day you will have the opportunity to tailor a schedule covering the topics you struggle with most. Each session you will have a choice between two topics. The topics that will be covered include:

Freelance

• Business Basics - Tax structures, accounting, legal issues, general advice // Led by Laurel Romanella - Owner, Vantage 360

• Clients & Business Development - defining your “why” and attracting the right clients // Led by Kristine Kletke - President, PMSI Marketing

In-House/Staff Designer

• Interpersonal Skills - Working on a team, relating to your boss and co-workers, non-verbal communication //  Led by Sharon Oleniczak - Design Communications, Newell Brands

• Career Development - Finding a job, asking for money, writing resumes and creating portfolios, interviewing // Led by Colleen Fuelling - Creative Account Manager, smartdept. inc.

Additional Sessions - Great For Everyone!

• Productivity - Organization, juggling multiple projects, time management & dependability // Led by Bree Tanner - Creative Director, Studio Us

• Self-Optimization - Work-life balance, confidence, mood, etc. // Led by John O'Neill - Principal, Conduit Studio

• Problem Solving - Brainstorming methods, staying curious, what to do when you hit a wall, seeking answers // Led by Tim Syfert - Clinical Affiliate Faculty, GVSU

• Communication - How to Present Like a Pro! Refine your topic, identify your audience’s needs, research and present. // Led by Zoe Carmichael - Speaker Coach

Additionally, all attendees will come together for our keynote speaker session to wrap up the day with a dose of advice & inspiration.

Keynote Speaker:

Adé Hogue is an Art Director, Designer, and Letterer based in Chicago, IL. He loves the entire process of design and always remembering that it’s more than pushing pixels, it’s about taking great ideas and turning them into something that blends beautiful with the practical. 

As a designer he’s collaborated with several well-known brands such as Ocean Spray, ALDI, Nike, Teavana, PayPal, The Atlantic, eBay Inc., Three Run Two, MilkPEP, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mercedes-Benz, Sprout Social, Shinola Detroit, The Obama Foundation, Under Armour, Moen, and Pedigree. Additionally, his speaking engagements and accolades list goes on and one. It’s safe to say, he has his sh*t together.

This is truly a do-not-miss event! We'll see you there!