Name: Jesus Garcia

Title: Senior Graphic Designer, WebPT

Member since: 09/05/2007 — joined on my 23rd birthday.

How did you get started with AIGA Arizona?

I got started with AIGA because we were trying to start an official AIGA Student Group up at Northern Arizona University instead of just having a design club. Also, that year three other students and I took a little road trip, an 11-hour drive, to Denver to attend our first AIGA National Design Conference. We had such a blast there and got really energized about the craft and the design community itself. Since then, I have attended 3 more national conferences: 2011 Phoenix (volunteered), 2015 New Orleans, 2017 Minneapolis, with plans to attend the next one in 2020 in Pittsburgh.

What do you like most about AIGA Arizona?

I like how AIGA Arizona is able to keep the design community connected, especially with how literally spread out we are — with members from each end of the Valley, to each end of the state, and with members up north in Flagstaff to members down south in Tucson. We stay connected because of the great events, big and small, like Phoenix Design Week, or a simple happy hour get-together. I also like how we’ve been a role model for other chapters across the country, which is a nice praise and validation of what we’re doing right.

What design event do you look forward to every year?

I look forward to Phoenix Design Week of course! In fact, I’ve attended every single one of them. I have the badges and tote bags to prove it. I was able to bring down 7 students from NAU for the inaugural PHXDW. It’s a well put together conference. Especially when we’re able to get the same speakers from other national conferences. It’s also just a fun time where you’re able to catch up with everyone from the local design community. I also look forward to AIGA National Design Conference when I have the chance to attend. It’s nice to get energized and inspired twice in a year.

What is the superpower you wish you had?

It would probably be the ability to teleport anywhere in the world. That way I can visit every single country and not have to deal with airports and the TSA. I would also save a lot of money on hotels because I can always teleport back home to sleep.

Take a moment to showcase some designers or creatives who you think people should be following and why.

This is a tough one. I feel like everyone is already following people like Danny Upshaw, @unheard_harmony, or Steffan Stewart, @steffanstewartdesign. How about I give a shout out to my co-worker Kyle Mensch. He’s an up-and-coming designer that likes to do experimental design work. He’s also a graduate of NAU and has been with WebPT for 2 years now. When he’s not designing, he’s teaching himself how to code. Check out his work on Dribbble and Instagram.

Here are some more people you should consider following/knowing:

Alexis Quezada
Brock Lefferts
Eric Torres
Johnny Gialanella
Julie Shanahan
Lizelle Galaz
Luis Espinosa
Micheal Walchalk,
Nicole Stumphauzer
Niki Blaker
Rafael Tapia III
Richard Haynie
Travis Fetting
Shannon Slocum
Eat Soggy Cereal

Connect with Jesus

Instagram
Twitter 
Behance
LinkedIn

Have a story to tell about your own AIGA journey or want to nominate someone? You don’t need to be an award winner, a prodigy, or even a graphic designer to be chosen. Send a note to Membership Director Julian Martinez and tell us what being a member of the AIGA Arizona community means to you. See you next month!