To connect with designers in RI and the nearby area for networking, socializing, and professional development opportunities. Me? I'm a graphic design educator (not at RISD) and have been active in the design industry for 20 years (most recent 10 years, more as an educator). I moved to the area in 2007 and have been slowly getting acclimated in both the region and the creative community. There's quite a bit going on here as Providence proclaims to be the new 'Creative Capital.'

I have also been active in AIGA, the professional association for design, for quite some time. Some of you may know the organization or not, or may have various opinions about it - good or bad, so hoping that you bear with me and give this meetup a chance. I'm definitely an advocate and an evangelist when it comes to building the design community and AIGA just gives us even more clout and resources - locally and now internationally. The goal for this meetup is to provide an extension of the local Rhode Island chapter into a social connection with those in the area that may not know much about what we are doing (the chapter is only 5 years young and just getting it's feet on the ground with regular events). Some of our first events here on meetup that I will post coincide with AIGA events, so even if there aren't alot of rsvp's there will probably be others attending the events. I will also post events in the creative community in general that may be of interest to members here, whether I can attend or not.

Once this meetup starts to have more members, perhaps our gatherings will be more informal or more often or more topical?? It's all up to us. Thanks for joining and I look forward to meeting you sometime in the future.