“Graphic Design is an Art Form” AGI Open to kick off in Paris

It will be a few more days until Paris kicks off a major design event: AGI Open [18 – 22 September]. The Alliance Graphique Internationale is founded in 1952 to assemble graphic designers from all corners of the world. Annually the AGI hosts an event in countries like Switzerland, Korea and now France to debate the relevance of graphic design in this day and age. A subject that is dear to the heart of Nikki Gonnissen, the current president of the Alliance. “Graphic design is an art-form that is uniquely equipped to form a dialogue between the messenger, the message and the audience.”

“This year's AGI Open will have the central theme of 'borders', a very topical subject but also one that underlines that the AGI is not afraid of taking its social responsibility.” To Nikki Gonnissen this is a fundamental topic for she is no stranger to the civic side of Graphic Design. A graphic designer herself, Nikki is an important part of the Amsterdam “school” of freethinkers that have taken it upon themselves to guide social change through their work.

“In Paris AGI Open will be a mix of lectures, debates, statements and a show and tell of the latest in graphic design throughout the world. AGI has work from countries that have a long tradition of graphic design such as the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, but also provides a platform for AGI members from emerging countries such as India. It really shows that AGI is the living, breathing proof of a borderless society.”