Professional organizations tout continuing education these days. The Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) has developed a lecture series designed to provide continuing education in business management for Atlanta’s design community. Hosted by AIGA Atlanta’s professional development committee, the lecture series will con tinue through the summer of 2002.

Launched in November and held at the King Plow Arts Center, the kick-off lecture was entitled “Ethical Challenges and Good Business Practices in an Economic Downturn” and dealt with the intangibles associated with running a design agency, namely ethical issues. Another lecture dealt with the legal specifics of copyright and trademark law and was entitled “Intellectual Capital—How to Protect Your Most Valuable Asset,” facilitated by and held at law firm, Kilpatrick Stockton.

“Most design agency owners possess the necessary entrepreneurial spirit for business but are educated in design not business management,” says Chris Martin, Chair of the AIGA Atlanta professional development committee. “Many of us have developed our management skills through trial and error. As a design community, we are hungry for programming that discusses some of these relevant business issues and provides us with specific ideas and information on how to better run our businesses. And as design becomes more of a strategic tool in our client’s businesses, it’s imperative that we be come more well rounded business people ourselves.” Lectures are open to both AIGA members and non-members. Visit AIGA’s website for more information, www.aiga.org.