“One of the best ways that you can remain career-relevant, marketable and valuable in today’s environment is to join and become active in a professional association.”
—Michael DePrisco, Forbes Business Council Member and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Project Management Institute (PMI)
As DePrisco discusses, it is more important and valuable than ever to be an active member of a professional association such as UCDA. Only UCDA offers specific professional development, community, networking, and resources for designers who work in education and for design educators. Being a member of a professional association is a commitment to yourself as well as to your profession. It is crucial at every career stage in today’s world. Professional associations are for individuals who value their personal and professional growth and development.
As a professional association, UCDA provides:
- Professional Development: reskilling or upskilling.
- Trendspotting: being in the ‘know’ about what is happening in your field.
- Networking and Community: growing and maintaining a professional network.
- Personal and Professional Growth: gaining leadership, management, teamwork, and other professional skills.
- Professional Service Opportunities: volunteering and serving on committees provides service back to your field which in turn makes your profession more robust, relevant and marketable, which in turn helps you.
UCDA Member Benefits Include:
- UCDA Design Conference, UCDA Creative Summit, UCDA Design Education Summit, UCDA Webinars & Workshops, Virtual Book Club, UCDA Journal, and other programs.
- Professional networking and collaboration workspace where members share successes, discuss challenges and exchange valuable advice, tips, and resources.
- Monthly Creative Conversations and Faculty Forums - virtual series where you learn and interact with other professionals or educators.
- Professional affiliations with other partnering member organizations, institutions, vendors, and stakeholders.
- Access to our extensive video library and other member-only resources: Immerse yourself in professional webinars, conference recordings, industry roundtables, video series, case studies, and more – all designed to enhance your skills and insights.
- Opportunities to volunteer and grow your leadership, teamwork, and project management skills.
- Best practices, guidelines, and other professional resources.
Why UCDA Is The Place For You
As creative professionals, it takes a great deal of energy, dedication, continuing education, and passion to do what we do. Being a member of a professional association means having a support system for your endeavors. UCDA has served members who are designers in education and education designers for over 50 years. We help our members renew their creative passion, navigate challenging times in their careers as we provide professional growth and development, and serve as a place for networking and building community.
UCDA is an active, member-driven organization that values its members. You are not just a number. As a member of UCDA, you have an opportunity to be involved at every level of the organization. UCDA supports and recognizes all you do in your professional role every day. We know what working in education is about. Our members are designers, design educators, art directors, creative directors, managers, directors of print shops, editors, writers, directors of media services, photographers, and businesses associated with visual communication.
- UCDA membership provides you with a forum for new ideas, new perspectives on the design industry, professional development opportunities, and access to a large network of generous professionals.
- UCDA fosters a community for creative professionals working in education by delivering relevant programming and benefits.
- UCDA provides personal and professional growth opportunities, advocates for designers and educators, and works to elevate the importance of design overall
Visit Membership for more information and to join or renew today.