This month’s AIGA Maine Member Spotlight features Treasurer and Outreach Board Member, Rachel Guthrie. We talked to her about work, her life in Maine, and her experience with AIGA.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Higher Ed certificate in European Studies, and a Master’s degree in Education. I work as a professor at Southern Maine Community College in the Communications & New Media Department. I worked for 20 years in a variety of in-house and agency positions, and have worked for the past 20 years in education, from K-12 to Higher Ed.

Why do you choose to live in Maine?
I moved here when I was 10, so growing up here has endeared me to Maine’s rocky coast and clear lakes. Kezar Lake and the foothills of the White Mountains are my favorite summer places. 

What inspires you to serve with AIGA Maine?
As an educator, I see the need for a network of designers. I am excited to help build and support a community of creatives.

What are some of your favorite Maine places/people/designers?
Although I started my design career in newspapers and magazines, my first agency job was with Burgess Advertising. Working with Meredith taught me a lot about the industry of graphic design, and although I worked at a number of agencies after that, she remains unsurpassed in her level of commitment to her employees. I’ve learned that working with good people is more important than where I work.

AIGA Maine Member Spotlight is a regular series where we highlight one of our members. If you would like to make a suggestion for an upcoming spotlight, please email us at communications@maine.aiga.org.