Throughlines AIGA Design Educators Conference
Vicki Crowley and Julie Mader-Meersman document the second “Dutch Design for the Public Sector” exhibtion organized by Gert Dumbar in 1978 with design by Studio Dumbar (Tom Homburg) and author Kees Broos.
What are your throughlines to history? Design educators consider their linear, spontaneous, unexpected, planned, and surprising relationships to history at a recent Add-a-thon event in Dayton, Ohio at Sinclair Community College. The narratives are broad and sprawling, showing that there is no singular path to design.
Educators shared their design treasures and used the pop-up station to document them within The Archive
Educators scanned their connections to history like logos designed by friends, publications about meaningful causes, posters shared by colleagues, and possessions of family members. These treasures were uploaded to The People’s Graphic Design Archive.
A diverse array of items were shared and uploaded
AIGA describes a throughline as one that “refers to the connections through and between segments of a design learning journey from early exposure to design, becoming a design student, working with and supporting students, transitioning to professional practice, mentoring designers, opportunities in leadership and creating intentional throughlines for others coming into the field.” At the Throughlines conference, participants shared how history is a connecting force. The conference was expertly organized by Kristina Lamour Sansone, Lisa Maoine, Katie Krcmarik, and Zack Tucker.
A postcard in the collection of Constance Campbell Ordeman was passed from a family member, who was an original member of the New York-based Typophiles.
PGDA representatives Vicki Crowley of Carnegie Mellon University and Brockett Horne of Boston University offered on-site workshops for using the Archive to document narratives that explore design history, and offered suggestions on how teach with archives. AIGA also offers its Design Teaching Resource, a peer-populated platform for educators to share assignments, teaching materials, outcomes, and project reflections.
Niharika Yellamraju shared a favorite album of ships and stamps
Participants shared many aspects of culture, beliefs, and values that influence one’s development as a designer and lifelong learner. Check out some of the educators throughlines on The Archive, including collections from Constance Campbell Ordeman of Sinclair Community College; Julie Mader-Meersman of Northern Kentucky University; independent scholar Niharika Yellamraju; and Kathy Kargl of University of Dayton.
Enjoy these uploads in items tagged Throughlines on The Archive.
2026 marks the first time AIGA has hosted its conference at a community college
