In this episode of Cheers & Tiers, hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar talk with Paul Mendoza around his journey with AIGA Los Angeles, his experiences at AIGA leadership retreats, and how those experiences shaped his career path leading to his current role producing Amazon’s in-house design conference, Conflux. Paul shares stories about karaoke nights, after-parties (including the informal GayIGA gatherings), and the famous 6AM Club where designers would stay up all night talking about their lives and careers. Paul talks about his formative experiences at AIGA leadership retreats, particularly his first in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2015, and recounts his show-stopping karaoke performance that made him instantly recognizable among AIGA leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Involvement in professional organizations can open unexpected career paths and connections.
• The most meaningful connections often happen during unstructured, after-hours events.
• Creating dedicated spaces for underrepresented communities builds stronger overall organizations.
• Communication skills are as important for designers as visual design abilities.
• Bringing joy and authenticity to professional settings improves the experience for everyone.
• Understanding local design communities and cultures creates more relevant programming.
• Coaching and mentoring early-career designers helps build confidence and future leaders.
• Vulnerability (like singing karaoke) can create instant connections in professional settings.
• Events that build community require both structured programming and space for organic interaction.
• Strong communities, like human pyramids, require solid foundations and mutual support.
• Professional development happens through both formal education and community involvement.
• Design leadership involves amplifying others' voices and helping them shine.
• Transferring skills between industries (TV writing to design conference production) creates unique value.

Episode Chapters

00:55 Paul's journey with AIGA, starting in 2013 as a student
02:27 Working on AIGA portfolio day and attending his first leadership retreat
04:26 Memories from the Grand Rapids leadership retreat
07:28 Paul's karaoke talents and creating memorable moments
10:29 The importance of singing and vulnerability in community building
11:17 The "6AM Club" and after-hours magic at leadership retreats
12:39 GayIGA gatherings and supporting queer businesses in North Carolina
16:18 Building human pyramids as a metaphor for leadership
20:35 How AIGA influenced Paul's work at Amazon's Conflux conference
22:13 The importance of local design communities and culture
24:19 Bringing joy to professional environments
25:45 Writing for live shows and coaching speakers
27:54 The importance of communication skills for designers

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