AIGA Philadelphia is committed to supporting students, educators, and emerging designers as they develop their creative practice and prepare for careers in the design industry.
Topics include:
Design thinking and creative problem-solving
Portfolio development and career preparation
Educational tools and learning platforms
Opportunities for mentorship, scholarships, and community engagement
Whether you’re learning design fundamentals, preparing your portfolio, or exploring career pathways, these resources can help you navigate the next steps in your creative development.
Design thinking is a human-centered approach to problem solving that encourages creativity, experimentation, and empathy. Many educators incorporate design thinking into classrooms, workshops, and collaborative projects to help students tackle real-world challenges.
The following toolkit introduces the fundamentals of design thinking and provides exercises that educators and students can use to guide creative exploration.
This toolkit provides practical frameworks and activities that educators can use to introduce design thinking into classrooms and learning environments.
Portfolio & Career Preparation
For many students and early-career designers, building a strong portfolio and preparing for the job market can feel overwhelming. Developing a portfolio that clearly communicates your design process and thinking is one of the most important steps toward launching a design career.
Resources below can help designers:
Build and structure portfolio case studies
Prepare for design interviews
Understand different creative career paths
Present work with clarity and confidence
Featured Resources
Nielsen Norman Group – UX Portfolio Checklist A detailed guide to structuring UX case studies that communicate your thinking and impact. Explore the guide →
ADPList Portfolio Review Guides Learn how to prepare your portfolio for mentorship sessions and design interviews. Explore ADPList →
Bestfolios Portfolio Gallery Real portfolios from designers hired at top companies. Browse portfolios →
Learning Resources
Design education continues long after graduation. Many designers build their skills through online tools, creative platforms, and emerging technologies that support everything from typography and branding to UX and product design.
To help students and early-career designers navigate this landscape, AIGA Philadelphia is developing a Resources Library that highlights tools, platforms, and creative resources used across the design industry.
AIGA Philadelphia Resources Library (Coming Soon)
A growing library of tools for learning, building, and experimenting.
The library will include curated collections such as:
Typography and font foundries
Design inspiration platforms
Stock photo libraries
Mockup resources
Creative asset marketplaces
AI-powered creative tools and generators
AIGA Philadelphia Resources Library (Coming Soon) >
Who it’s for:
Students exploring design tools and creative workflows
Emerging designers building technical and production skills
Creatives looking to experiment with new platforms and technologies
Scholarships & Mentorship
Students and emerging designers can also benefit from programs offered through AIGA Philadelphia that provide support, guidance, and opportunities for professional development.
These initiatives help students and early-career designers gain valuable insights while building connections within the creative community.
Get Involved with AIGA Philadelphia
Students and emerging designers can also connect with the creative community through programs, events, and volunteer opportunities hosted by AIGA Philadelphia.
Ways to get involved include:
Attending design events and workshops
Participating in events like Feedback or Locally Sourced
Joining the AIGA Philadelphia Mentorship Program
Volunteering to support events, programming, and community initiatives
Engaging with the design community can help students gain perspective, build relationships, and discover new creative opportunities.
