AIGA and F+W Media, which publishes magazines Print, HOW and the I.D. Annual Design Review, have announced the launch of a new initiative, “Partners in Design Leadership,” which aims to advance the concept of design thinking, the relevance of design in problem solving and the leadership role designers play in our society.

The program will include a leadership presentation, a Resource Center and a special presentation by AIGA president Debbie Millman at the HOW Design Conference in June; a quarterly webcast series on the subject of design relevance and design leadership, which will begin in April; and a dedicated AIGA leadership section on the HOW and Print websites, which will debut in June. There will also be collaborative efforts at the AIGA chapter level to advance the mission of relevance and leadership within local design communities.

“Our mission is to inspire, educate and inform designers, helping them to realize their talents and to advocate the value of design among the media, the business community, public agencies and the general public,” said Richard Grefé, executive director of AIGA. “By working in partnership with F+W Media’s Design Community, we will further our goal to advance the design profession and communicate the value of design to audiences outside the profession.”

Added Gary Lynch, publisher and editorial director for the F+W Design Community, “The ‘Partners in Design Leadership’ initiative enables us to use our collective resources to further this shared mission. Collaborating on programs, events and resources for designers only benefits the community at large and will expand the role of design, today and in the future.”