AIGA Nashville's Speaker Series co-presented by Emma and AIGA Nashville is gathering up local design heroes to speak at Emma's awesome new space in the Trolley Barns. Come and meet some of Nashville's best designers in print and web, and maybe even make some new friends. It's free for AIGA members, $10 for non-members.

Next for our Speaker Series on April 24th is Bethany Newman, a person very passionate about pushing designers to think past what a traditional graphic designer's role is in this changing world.

Originally from Memphis, Tenn., Bethany graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a bachelor's degree in graphic design. She began her career at two small but prestigious studios: Alter Ego Designs (Gina Binkley) and Bill Brunt Designs. Bethany then designed and art directed in multiple mediums at All Media Design and later at Anode Interactive, where she worked as a motion media and interactive designer, and where she came to appreciate the symbiotic relationship between designers and developers.

Bethany's career focused on music when she became director of creatives services for Universal Music Group Nashville, which included the MCA, Mercury and Lost Highway Records label imprints. There, Bethany developed and directed creative for high-profile brands such as Sugarland (including the band's famed logo), Reba McEntire and Shania Twain.

In 2004, Bethany founded ST8MNT with her husband, Josh. The company provides creative to a diverse group of clients, including National Geographic Networks, the Atlanta Braves, Taylor Swift, CMT, Healthways, RANDA, Salesforce.com, Dish Networks, Tennessee Department of Education, Nashville Convention and Visitor's Bureau and countless other musicians.