UPSTNY Member Interview | Cindy Buckley Koren

AIGA member since 2007, Cindy Buckley Koren Associate Professor of Communications Design at PrattMWP of Utica, NY is interviewed by fellow member and President, Bill Klingensmith.

What prompted you to start your teaching?

When I relocated back upstate from NYC an old professor of mine, invited me to teach design course at the local community college. That was almost 20 years ago. I’ve been hooked ever since.

My current position at PrattMWP allows me to combine all of my many passions: design, typography, and contemporary art, but most importantly, I have the opportunity to learn something new every day.

Truthfully, I have the perfect job…. (please note, I did not say the perfect salary) Let’s just say, I don’t do it for the money, but do I get to make up dream projects and we are free to experiment and take risks --usually not having to worry about those pesky clients messing up the process. Ha!

What inspires you?

Everything inspires me; my students, my family, fortune cookies, even my husband’s sweater.

Honestly, not to suck up but… long before Debbie Millman became president of AIGA she was an amazing source of information and inspiration for me. Her interviews of important and up and coming creative professionals have been invaluable. Debbie found a way to reach and educate people about design in an accessible and entertaining way.

What role do you think designers should play in going green?

It goes without saying, that we all need to recycle/reuse and avoid using toxic materials. Our greater contribution should be in our thinking… how we approach design problems by setting good examples.

What would your top piece of advice be for a designer who is just getting started in the industry?

Set your goals high. Do your research. Always have an outside personal project in the works. Meet the right people and get involved. Take risks.

In what way does being a part of AIGA enhance your career/being a designer/educator?

AIGA is a fantastic source of information and opportunities to get involved.

AIGA enhances me as a creative by...

Supplying ethical guidelines and standards in our creative field.

Because of AIGA... (http://becauseofaiga.com)

I had the opportunity to participate in the Polling Place Project. From that project one of my photographs was published in the Design for Democracy Book now included in the AIGA archives. Another image of mine from that project was included in a film by Andrew Sloat that was featured in a special 2009 exhibition curated by William Drenttel and Jessica Hefland.

Miscellaneous...

I really enjoy taking my students to the New York city chapter AIGA head quarters where there is typically a terrific exhibit in the gallery and the staff gives a wonderful tour of the facilities, including the upstairs main office with it’s interesting architecture and deep downstairs in the archives.

Suggest an AIGA member to be interviewed, contact Bill Klingensmith, President AIGA UPSTNY: president@upstatenewyork.aiga.org

Posted by newyorkupstate in Member Interview | January 5, 2010