Build a relationship with your chosen profession and other professionals

Stevenson University art and design studios are great places to learn design theory, and to practice your skills while engaging with your peers, but there is an entire design universe outside of SU. Get involved. Meet other emerging and seasoned professionals. Learn the inside jokes (like why designers want to ban Comic Sans or what design clichés to avoid), practice talking-the-talk (e.g., about brands or production) and walking-the-walk.

How to get involved:

• Read design blogs, books, and magazines
• Visit museums
• Join a professional association and organization
• Attend events sponsored by SU, as well as other schools or associations
• Reach out to Stevenson alum on facebook
• Identify mentors in the field, and reach out to them

The professional associations and organizations below help aspiring artists and designers get plugged in to the art scene in the Baltimore area.

• AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts)
• AIGA Baltimore
• AIGA DC
• Production Club of Baltimore
• Advertising Association of Baltimore
• Creative Alliance
• Art Directors Club of Washington D.C.
• Broadcast Designers of America
• Society for Environmental Graphic Design
• Graphic Artists Guild
• International Council of Graphic Design Associations
• Design and Art Director’s Club
• Society of Publication Designers
• Society of News Designers
• National Association of Photoshop Professionals
• Association Typographique Internationale
• Color Marketing Group
• Graphic Arts Information Network
• The Organization of Black Designers
• AMA (American Marketing Association)
• Baltimore Chapter of AMA
• Direct Marketing Association of Washington
• IABC (International Association of Business Communicators)
• Baltimore Chapter of IABC

Valerie Costanza (center) with her intern supervisors in the Stevenson University Admissions office.

Mike Jett (Second from left) and Courtney Constantino (right) with employers at Broadridge Financial.

Kristin O’Neill (left) and Amanda Aristidou (right) with their Art Director at Baltimore Magazine, Ms. Katie Swartz.