FAQs

FAQs: About membership

I want to become a member. How do I join?
AIGA offers a variety of ways to sign up for membership: 

How do I determine what kind of membership I am eligible for?
If you are currently a full-time student, you are eligible for a student membership. As a professional association, AIGA is pleased to be able to offer a special membership rate to full-time students. In order to complete your application for student membership, you must send us proof of your full-time status. Acceptable documentation includes:

  • a dated receipt for your current semester of classes;
  • a dated official class schedule; OR
  • a student ID that displays a date for the current semester.

If you are a part-time student, your membership category depends on how many years you have been practicing design: two years or fewer means you are eligible for an associate membership; more than two years puts you at the professional level. Part-time students are not eligible for the student membership category.

If you are a full-time faculty member, you are eligible for special rate for full-time educators. Find out more.

If your firm has three or more designers, you can save by purchasing a Group membership .

When I send in my application for membership, how long will it take for me to receive my membership materials?
After we receive your application, you can expect to receive your membership card within approximately two weeks. A welcome packet will follow shortly thereafter.

If you have not received your membership card after a month, please contact our membership coordinator at membership@aiga.org .

Are the membership fees paid annually or one-time only?
Membership dues are annual; once you join, you will receive an invoice about one month before your membership expires. You can return the invoice and payment or renew online.

Do you have a group rate for companies?
AIGA does offer a group membership to companies. The cost for a group membership is $730 and it is defined as three transferable professional memberships, owned by a firm or corporation. Additional memberships may be purchased for $245.

A Group membership may be downloaded and faxed to 212 807 1799.

Is there a student membership? What are the annual dues?
The student rate is available to those who are enrolled full-time in a design program. The student membership is available for up to four years of study (e.g, two years undergraduate and two years graduate). You must include a copy of your bursar's receipt with your application and with each year's renewal. Membership dues for this level are $75 per year.

Designers who are working and attending school part-time should join at the associate level ($210 per year).

I have moved (or changed my email address). How do I make sure you have my updated contact information?
You can change your contact information through the website. From the "Membership" menu at the top of the page, select "Update my address." You will need your AIGA login ID and password. If you don't know your login information, select "Forgot your login ID and/or password?" and enter your email address. If this doesn't work (it won't if we don't have your correct email address), contact our membership coordinator at membership@aiga.org .

What can I expect from my AIGA membership?
Your member experience is comprised of events and activities at the local level as well as information, inspiration, validation, representation and education at the national level. Click here for some of the tangible items members receive.

Can you send me a list of AIGA members in my community? Can I search for AIGA members in my community using your online directory?
AIGA's online directory allows a search by first name, last name, company, city and state at this time.

If I'm a member in one chapter, but relocate, can my membership be transferred to the chapter in the city I move to?
Yes. You can update your address yourself or contact our membership coordinator at membership@aiga.org .

I would like to join as an international member. Do you have chapters in other countries?
AIGA has members located around the world, but no international chapters.

The reasons are partly practical and partly legal. AIGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Chapters must be individually incorporated as non-profits, and that's not really possible if they're not located in the U.S.

Then, even in the U.S., it takes a great deal of energy to start and maintain a chapter. At least twenty current professional AIGA members are required to start the chapter. The chapter must sign an affiliation agreement and meet performance criteria on an annual basis. So at the current time, the organization is focusing on chapters located within the U.S.

Can AIGA help me with my visa request to the INS, documenting that graphic design is a "specialty occupation" and needs a bachelor's degree?
AIGA can provide a formal letter for professional members.

Still have questions about membership? send email