In this episode of Cheers & Tiers, hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar welcome Brian Singer, a San Francisco-based artist and designer known for his impactful projects that foster human connection and social change. The conversation delves into Brian’s journey in design leadership, his experiences with AIGA, and the memorable moments from leadership retreats. They discuss the Twitspotting project, the challenges of controversial art, and the importance of community in the design industry. Brian reflects on his transition from chapter leadership to national leadership and shares insights on building connections within the design community.

Key Takeaways

• Brian Singer is known for his bold projects that spark social change.
• The AIGA leadership retreats fostered strong community bonds among designers.
• Transitioning from complaining to taking action is crucial in leadership.
• Controversial art can provoke strong reactions and discussions.
• Building community is essential for effective leadership in design.
• Memorable experiences often happen outside of formal programming.
• Leadership requires understanding the constraints and challenges of the industry.
• Brian’s Twitspotting project highlighted distracted driving in a unique way.
• The design community thrives on collaboration and shared experiences.
• Networking at leadership retreats has lasting impacts on professional relationships.

Episode Chapters

02:59 Reminiscing About AIGA Leadership Retreats

06:08 Brian’s Journey into AIGA Leadership

08:57 The Twitspotting Project Explained

11:52 The Impact of Controversial Art

14:56 Community and Leadership Dynamics

17:56 Memorable After-Program Experiences

21:11 Building Community in Design

24:08 Transitioning from Chapter to National Leadership

26:50 Reflections on Leadership and Change

Featuring

• Guest Brian Singer, connect on LinkedIn
• Host Erik Cargill, connect on LinkedIn
• Host Rachel Elnar, connect on LinkedIn

Support the Show

• Theme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic Oceans
• Produced by Chapter 2 Media
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