New York NY: Designers Day, May 11 at Xerox Knowledge Sharing Center

Designers Day is part of The Association of Graphic Communications' 64th Annual Graphic Arts Awards Exhibition, a competition and celebration of the finest quality of traditional printing, prepress, finishing and digital production in the metro-tri state arrea. Co-hosted by GDUSA with a free talk by Brett Traylor, formerly of Pentagram and Carbone Smolan.

Contact: www.agcomm.org

San Francisco, CA: AIGA Design Lecture Series, May 11 And Beyond at the Morgan Auditorium

One of the oldest lecture series dedicated to the convergence of technology, art and design. This year's lineup, including Margo Chase on May 11 and Rick Valicenti on June 8, explores the interweaving of craft and commerce, passion and profit and our innate need to create.

Contact: www.aigasf.org, 415.626.6008.

Austin, TX: HammerTime Happy Hour, May 16 at Molotov Lounge, 716 W. 6th St.

Mix and mingle with your peers in a relaxed atmosphere at the Molotov Lounge.

Contact: aigaaustin.org or 512.963.7740

San Francisco CA: Making Experience Strategic, May 17 at Apple Store, 1 Stockton St.

Michael Gough, Adobe's Vice President Experience Design shares what wisdom he's accumulated over the past decade pushing and shoving to give designers a say in technologically driven companies.

Contact: www.aigasf.org

Boston MA: Design Management Institute, May 17-18

The 18th International Brand Design Conference is set for the Montreal, with the theme: Design Leadership in Action. The event focuses on the role of the customer experience in creating value.

Contact: www.dmi.org/branddesign

Chicago IL: STA, May 18

Winners of the Archive '06 event will be presented at this event. Winners are to be placed in the famed and growing Chicago Design Archive. Check the STA for location of the event.

Contact: sta-chicago.org

New York, NY: Move3: Under the Influence, May 19-20 at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, NYU, Washington Square South

This design summit for motion-based artists and designers will explore the fascinating sources of inspiration behind work that inspires you. Move3 will deliver the directors, designers, animators, ad legends and art starts who not only create groundbreaking work, but shape the future.

Contact: www.aigany.org

New York NY: Surtex, May 21-23 at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

Over 370 exhibitors set up on two floors, selling and licensing diverse art and design for all kinds of products and merchandising. Exhibitors include top artists, designers, studios and licensing firms.

Contact: surtex.com

Hollywood CA: SEGD 2006 Annual Conference & Expo, May 31-June 3

The Conference's theme is "Moving Forward: Design in Motion." The conference includes speakers from diverse backgrounds, including filmmakers and storytellers, who love living in a city that's all about pushing boundaries, discovering new narratives and dreaming of the next big thing.

Contact: www.segd.org

Atlanta GA: Press Checks Part 2, June 1 at The Creative Circus, 812 Lambert Dr. NE

An intermediate to advanced workshop for those directly involved with production management, print purchasing and quality control. Discussions regarding the quality control bar and its elements are reviewed. Specific print issues such as dot gain, mechanical/chemical ghosting, wet ink trapping, slurring, doubling, paper and ink hickies are discussed. Members and non-members: $5.

Contact: www.aiga-atl.org

Aspen CO: Aspen Design Summit June 20-23 at Aspen Meadows Resort

The granddaddy of design conferences is taking registrations now. A partnership of IDCA and AIGA, the event will feature presenters in three areas — social entrepreneurship, community development and education innovation — and participants will join an Aspen Action Studio.

Contact: aiga.org

Seattle WA: Icograda Design Week, July 9-15 at Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, University of Washington

Icograda Design Week is an international forum for discussion about the role of design in a changing world. The event will address how designers can contribute to a healthy economy while being mindful of their cultural, environmental and political impact.

Contact: www.seattle.icograda.org

Chicago IL: Small Talk III, July 18 at One East Wacker

An interdisciplinary studio with offices in Chicago and San Francisco, Studio/lab brings together a talented group of creative professionals with backgrounds in design, architecture, fine arts, photography, video production, and software development. The firm has a long history with AIGA.

Contact: www.aigachicago.org

Boston MA: Society of Typographic Aficionados, August 9-13 at Hyatt Regency

TypeCon2006, nicknamed the Boston "T" Party, is the place for designers and other type lovers this summer. Clif Stoltze prepared the identity materials. GDUSA is a media sponsor.

Contact: www.typecon.com