Interview with Gigi McGee

Gigi McGee, Professor of Graphic Design at Moore and member of AIGA Philadelphia was interviewed as part of the November NET Nights program. As a member of AIGA Philadelphia, co-presenter of the program, we thought that she could offer good insight into involvement with AIGA, the nation's leading professional graphic design organization, to see what students can get involved in to get a step forward into the professional world. Sam Emonds, a current student in Moore's Business Scholars for the Arts program conducted the interview with Gigi and gathered the following information:

Gigi McGee received her BFA from Philadelphia College of the Arts, now University of the Arts. Following graduation, it took her about three months to land her first graphic design job.  Since at that time there were not as many opportunities in Philly as there are today, she decided she to move, visiting a friend's home in Los Angeles where she lined up 25 interviews for the short week she was there.  By the end of the week, she had a job offer.  Despite the not panning out, Gigi stayed in Los Angeles while her friend was on vacation and filled in at her job.  While there, Gigi received a call from Seiniger Advertising offering her a position working on movie posters.  Her persistence really paid off.

Gigi began her teaching career in the Communication Design program at the Otis Art Institute of the Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles under the direction of Sheila Levrant de Bretteville, a visionary woman in the design field. She also taught at California Institute of the Arts under the direction of April Griman, yet another revolutionary designer, who is recognized as one of the first designers to embrace computer technology as a design tool in 1984.

After 7 fulfilling years of working and teaching in California, Gigi and her husband moved back to Philadelphia. She opened a studio on Spring Garden Street and began to teach part-time at Moore in 1989, later becoming a full-time faculty member.

Gigi has been involved with AIGA (American Institute for Graphic Arts) for quite some time, and has been a particularly active member in the past ten years.  She joined the AIGA Board five years ago, and she became an Education Committee co-chair two years ago.  As chair of the Graphic Design Department at Moore, Gigi has brought a number of speakers and exhibitions from AIGA, and she continues to work with students as the Education Committee co-chair.

Gigi encourages her students to get involved in AIGA. As the co-chair of the Education Committee, she is well aware of the organization’s focus on, and commitment to students. For the past five years, Gigi has organized AIGA professional portfolio reviews, helping graduating seniors gain valuable feedback from working professionals and potential contacts for future job offers. AIGA also helps to sponsor studio tours and informal presentations of working graphic design studios and firms, where students can ask employees for advice and guidance in an informal environment.

There are many ways for students to actively participate in AIGA.  Students can attend studio tours and participate in contests run by AIGA, in addition to taking part in their mentorship program, PR committee, web committee and guest lecturer programs with graphic designers from across the country. Gigi also encourages students to join committees because you meet more people that way. 

AGIA’s online job bank provides many resources to aid students in finding jobs, allowing members to search for positions locally and nationally. They also support networking through an open database of designers throughout the country and opportunities for members to post their portfolio online for all affiliates to review.

Moore College helps to prepare students for the professional world as well. The best resource at Moore is the Career Center where students are welcome both during their time at Moore and after they graduate to receive employment information, resume writing assistance, and advice from the staff. The graphic design department also offers great resources for students such as: writing exercises where students can learn how to write briefs, proposals, cover letters, resume, and more.  Students learn how to price and talk about their work and how to stay organized. A required internship is also incredibly useful, helping students build confidence as new emerging designers and artists between junior and senior year. 

Gigi seems like the kind of person that gets out there and makes things happen and who encourages her students to do the same.  She's shown that persistence and involvement are really important for getting a job in graphic design (and any other field, really).  You've got to find ways to get involved in your community and keep looking for opportunities everywhere.  Join whatever professional organization there is in your field, use school resources to their fullest, and don't be afraid to go out, meet people, and get involved!