Welcome Letter from SEGD’s New Board President, Aki Carpenter

January 7, 2026

Aki Carpenter

As this new year begins, I have been thinking about momentum and the responsibility of moving something forward, both strategically and with care. SEGD has long been a home for creative thinkers who care deeply about how people move through and understand the world around them.

It is a tremendous honor to serve as President of the SEGD Board alongside our new Board Vice President, Kris Helmick. Having served on the SEGD Board for the past five years, I am grateful for the opportunity to step into this role and continue building on the strong foundation shaped by those who came before me.

I’m especially grateful to follow in the footsteps of Traci Sym, whose leadership helped guide SEGD through a period of growth and reinvention. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Traci, from updating the SEGD brand and website to co-chairing the 2025 Xlab Offsite in Chicago, and partnering with Traci and Cybelle to strengthen and energize the organization’s programming and voice.

SEGD is a community that uplifts experiential design in all its forms, from exhibitions and wayfinding to placemaking, digital and immersive media, and the practices that help people make meaning in public space. Our opportunity now is to articulate our values clearly and play an active role in defining where the field goes next.

Xlab Offsite Chicago stands out as a powerful example of what’s possible when we embrace the value of experimentation as a core principle of how we convene. By stepping outside the expected and designing an experience grounded in place, the event demonstrated the impact of taking bold, thoughtful risks in service of deeper connection and learning.

During my term, I hope to help SEGD sharpen its purpose and presence by refining why experiential design matters in shaping culture, public life, and the built environment. My goal is to continue pushing how we convene by creating gatherings that are experiential by design, grounded in place, and reflective of the creative energy of the communities we serve.

Thank you for your trust and your commitment to this community. I’m grateful to be doing this work alongside all of you.

With warmth and anticipation,

Aki Carpenter
President, SEGD Board of Directors
Society for Experiential Graphic Design