There have been some recent comments on Twitter about the Portland Chapter of AIGA’s RFP for a Pro-bono website. Most of these comments center around the AIGA Position on Spec Work (http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/position-spec-work).

As the local Sponsorship Chair, I would like to address the concerns I have seen, with the caveat that this is my opinion and doesn’t represent a collective view from the organization, local or national.

Perhaps you’ve been drooling over their work for Nike, HP and other kick-ass clients. Or maybe you just dig really cool spaces. Either way, now is your opportunity to join us for a studio tour of Nemo Design, July 14th.

This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited to 25 people (and 10 of those are reserved for students). If you want in, RSVP via email to education@portland.aiga.org with your full name (students must include the name of their school) and whether or not you are an AIGA member.

And don’t forget to stop by dMob afterward (place TBD)!

I wrote something several months ago about a city of Portland initiative that really got my hackles up. They are basically crowdsourcing the redesign of PortlandOnline.com, but not offering any compensation to the designers (other than the infamous “site credit”). This is particularly offensive to me in the current economic situation many designers now find themselves in.

When Kristin Rogers Brown -- Portland-based art director for the global consulting firm, Oliver Wyman -- began looking for ways to make her company's operations more sustainable, she knew there would be questions.