2007 Design Legends Gala

The fourth annual Design Legends Gala was held on Wednesday, September 19 at Chelsea Piers in New York City. The evening honored:

• The 2007 AIGA Medalists: Ed Fella, Ellen Lupton, Bruce Mau and Georg Olden;
• Recipients of the 2007 AIGA Corporate Leadership Award: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Samsung;
• Recipients of the 2007 Winterhouse Awards for Design Writing and Criticism: Jade Chang and Erica Nooney;
• Recipients of the 2007 AIGA Fellow Award, including: Meryl Epstein (Arizona); Joseph Michael Essex (Chicago); Stephanie Sabato (Kansas City); Archie Boston, Michael Hodgson and Petrula Vrontikis (Los Angeles); Tim Larsen (Minnesota); Joseph Bañuelos (Orange County); and Shelly Langton (Seattle);
• And winners of the 2007/2008 Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships.

As the sun set over the Hudson River, guests enjoyed cocktails and conversations with friends and colleagues new and old. Some of the evening’s many highlights included: Kurt Andersen’s witty introduction of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s Gael Towey and Martha Stewart, who in turn delighted and entertained the audience; Paula Scher’s eloquent tribute to Ellen Lupton; and Georg Olden’s acceptance of his father’s posthumous award.  

A record $150,000 was raised for AIGA Worldstudio scholarships, the AIGA archives and initiatives to increase the diversity of the profession. Contributing to the grand total, Laura Shore of Mohawk Paper surprised guests with an impromptu matching offer up to $10,000, and guests responded by pledging an additional $35,000 on the spot.

View selected presentations from the Gala (player opens in a pop-up window.)

Photos from the 2007 Design Legends Gala

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Honorary committee

AIGA once again thanks its outstanding Honorary Committee.

Gala committee

Mark Randall and Sam Shelton, co-chairs
Debbie Millman, Corporate Leadership Award chair
James Biber, decor
Emily Carr, James Hobbs, Amanda Otter, digital design
Laura Latham, print design
Robin Tooms, program advertising
Michael Hodgson and Christopher Huelshorst, tables/tickets

Chelsea Piers, Pier Sixty
23rd Street at the Hudson River
New York City
Wednesday, September 19, 2007