Ever wish you could exchange tips on how to run your business with a group of other smart successful designers? AIGA/LA proudly announces the third round of our wildly popular business series: Shop Talks. These small, informal meetings about business issues will be hosted by a different design firm each time, covering the topics essential to managing your company. It’s the nitty-gritty of creative business in an casual, open environment. Reserve now, seats are limited, and every session last year sold out!

Read this interview with Shop Talks founder Terry Lee Stone about why she saw a need for this series.

Locations and dates vary, but for all events:

Refreshments 6:30 pm
Presentation 7:00 to 9:00pm

Shop Talk 1: Speaking Your Client's Language
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

What's really involved in being a “strategic partner� with a client? How can you close the gap between their mindset and yours? How can you intuit what isn’t being said, and introduce these unspoken needs into the discussion? How should you adjust your presentation style to your client’s personality, so that you're both on the same wavelength? How can you refocus stalled or conflict-ridden communications, to regain your client's trust and confidence? Join us for a conversation with communications coach Michele Wolpe, who offers the dual perspective of having hired many graphic designers, and having worked for nearly two decades in employee communications for major corporations. We'll have a generous Q & A session, in which you can bring up specific client issues for group discussion.

With Michele Wolpe, communications coach
Moderated by Cathy Curtis, principal, Textual

Shop Talk 2: Designing for the Future
Tuesday, May 22, 2007

The design and production studio Imaginary Forces has continually evolved from its roots as a feature film title design and television branding company. IF now works in a diverse range of disciplines, designing and producing everything from traditional TV commercials to art installations to virtual environments. Several years ago the studio began collaborating with architects and developers, merging its ability to tell stories in a cinematic fashion with plans for three-dimensional spaces both public and private. As a result, IF is now seen as one of the leading practitioners of the growing art of Experience Design. How did the studio go from designing movie titles to designing content and information architecture for such spaces as HBO's new retail store in New York, or the Wynn Casino in Las Vegas? Come hear IF co-founders Chip Houghten and Peter Frankfurt as they provide AIGA members with insights into how they've grown and nurtured a creatively-focused enterprise while opening doors to new categories of business and always keeping an eye on the next new thing coming down the pike in media and entertainment.

With Peter Frankfurt, Chip Houghton and Imaginary Forces’ Creatives
Moderated by Sharon Tani

Shop Talk 3: Growing Your Own Brand
Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Are you so busy branding your clients that you don't take the time to develop your own brand? You may have a beautiful logo, business cards and a web site, but does it communicate what makes you different and why clients should hire you? Join us for a conversation with Pash about actively shaping your brand to attract a higher level of clients and projects. Move beyond thinking about your brand just from an aesthetic point of view and understand how clients really evaluate design firms large and small. We'll explore how to clearly define your brand and express your value by positioning your experience more effectively.

With Pash, Creative Director, CINQ Group
Moderated by Lea Ann Hutter, Creative Director, Hutter Design

Shop Talk 4: How NOT to get sued and NOT to get screwed
Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Michelle Katz covers the basics of IP law: how to protect, license and sell your work and how NOT to get sued when you use other people's work, locations or likenesses. The presentation also covers the basic deal structure and contract terms you need to know for your business (and for scrabble games and cocktail parties). In a world made increasingly increasing complex because of both technology and entrepreneurialism, designers need to understand what their intellectual property rights are, and how to maintain them.

Michelle Katz, Intellectual Property Attorney
Moderated by Rob Bynder, Principal, Robert Bynder Design, Inc.

Reservation & ticket information
Series pass: 15 series passes are available, guaranteeing admission to all four presentations for $100.
Individual tickets: 15 individual tickets are available for each presentation for $30.
These are available a few weeks before each event date.

Only 30 tickets are available for each event so reserve today!

Call 818.558.3968 to reserve your seat.
You can only register by phone. No registrations on site. No admission without confirmation.

Confirmation Via Email
You will be sent confirmation of your reservation. Specific details such location, parking and advance preparation materials will be provided via email. Please provide your phone number and email address in order to receive timely confirmation. Do not attend without confirmation, seating is limited.