Board members
President
Chris Magpoc
808
president@aigahonolulu.orgBio coming soon.
Vice President
Elden Ito
808 375 2966
vicepresident@aigahonolulu.orgElden Ito is the President of RevaComm, Inc., a web design and information technology services company. Elden possesses over 20 years of information and visual communication design experience, 18 years of business development and management experience, and over 12 years of strategic Internet consulting expertise. Elden received his BFA in Graphic Design at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and his MFA in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Immediate Past President
Bernard Uy
808 566 0880
president@aigahonolulu.orgBorn in Brooklyn, NY, growing up on Oahu, and attending high school in New York, Bernard received his BFA in Graphic Design from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA. Bernard worked for Henry Dreyfuss Associates in New York City, Herman Miller Inc. In 1992, he co-founded Wall-to-Wall Studios in Pittsburgh with fellow CMU alumni, James Nesbitt. Bernard also served on the board of AIGA Pittsburgh as Education Chair and President. He has taught design as an Adjunct Professor at Carnegie Mellon and as a visiting lecturer at the School for Design in St. Gallen, Switzerland. In 2005, Bernard opened the second office of W|W when he and wife Tammy returned to Honolulu. He spends most mornings thinking about lunch.
Past President
Bonnie Taam Sakai
808 955 8141
immediatepastpresident@aigahonolulu.orgBorn and raised in Honolulu, Bonnie earned a BFA in graphic design from the University of Denver in CO. Having worked for Synergy Design for over 8 years, Bonnie branched out on her own to form Bonnie Taam Design in 2004, the year in which she also got married and became AIGA Honolulu Chapter President. Two years prior, Bonnie served as the chapterís Vice President and currently is serving her third year as president. Addictions: husband, Jeff, dog, Maya, nephews, playing craps in Vegas, shopping, dancing, ice cream, and reality TV.
Treasurer
Matthew Heim
808 441 4327
treasurer@aigahonolulu.orgRaised in Hawaii from the age of eight, although you wouldnít know it from my lack of pigment. Someoneís gotta be white around here. Matt started in the industry setting type (pre-Macintosh), and ended up with Electric Pencil. As a business owner, I fully subscribe to the ìgood design is good businessî philosophy. Iíve been on the AIGA board twice and will continue to support the design community until someone pulls the plug and puts me in a box. Married for 20 years, with two teenagers that I canít wait to boot out of the house. Until then, thereís always "cocktail" hour.
Secretary
Alicia Chang
808 375 2966
secretary@aigahonolulu.orgAfter living in Washington DC for over 18 years, Alicia Chang moved to Hawai‘i over a year ago. She fell in love with the land, the people, and the spirit of Oëahu after visiting the island in 2002. A graduate of Virginia Tech, she is continuing her career in graphic design and communications. After a few months of settling in, she decided to jump right in and volunteer for the AIGA Honolulu. A fan of outdoor activities, Alicia enjoys hiking, biking and other activities O‘ahu has to offer.
Membership Chair
Alan M. Low
808 595 6222
membership@aigahonolulu.orgShipwrecked on a deserted island and raised by apes in the wild, oh wait wrong story. Born and raised in Honolulu, Alan earned a BFA in design from the UH Mānoa. In '92, he co-founded of Synergy Design. In '02, in order to spend more time with his family, Alan made the decision to branch out on his own. He formed Alan Low Design. His clients include Meadow Gold Dairies, Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i, First Hawaiian Bank, The Childrenís Discovery Center and Hawaiian Airlines. Alan also regularly teaches design fundamental classes at Pacific New Media, the UH Outreach College. Married 15 years to his wife Gail, they have a 6-year-old son Brandon.
Sponsorship Chair
Ryan Hirata
808 372 2928
sponsorship@aigahonolulu.orgRyan is a business owner by day and a graphic designer by night. He founded Tactics Unlimited in 2004. Clients include: TEAM Unlimited - XTERRA, Oceanic Time Warner Cable - Kupa‘a, and The Honolulu Advertiser. His philosophy: “For some, design is art, an expression of thoughts through colorful layouts, bold photos, and communicative typography. For me, design is a vehicle for ideas. From your mom’s blouse, to your dad’s golf clubs, or your grandma’s record player… all branch from an idea and we use design as a vehicle to get there.” Future goals: Wake up tomorrow and be happy and creative.
Web Chair
Aaron Lee
808 228 6552
web@aigahonolulu.orgBorn in Mexico and raised in both Texas and Hawai‘i, Aaron received his BFA in Graphic Design at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 1999. Aaron is currenlty a lecturer in the graphic design program at UHM and is also the AIGA UHM Student Group Faculty Advisor. Some of his other jobs include being a full-time web graphic designer for UHM College of Education, Curriculum Research & Development Group and a freelance designer for his own studio Formlessness. Although being of asian decent and having been born in Mexico, he sometimes think of himself as mexican.
Education Co-Chair
Marlon Alojepan
808 782 7270
education@aigahonolulu.orgBorn and raised on the island of Guam, Marlon moved to Hawai‘i in 1999 to further his educational and life experiences. While “fresh off the design boat” after having graduated with a BFA in design from UH Mānoa in December 2005, Marlon is a young, energetic designer ready to make a difference in the community. He is currently employed at Spunge as a print and web interface designer. Some of his client listings include work from MADD, Department of Health, Hawai‘i Foster Youth Coalition, and The Hawaii Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys long walks on the beach, and candlelight dinners.
Education Chair
Michelle Saoit
808 224 3599
education@aigahonolulu.orgBorn and raised in Honolulu, Michelle graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2009 with a BFA in graphic design. In her last year of college, she served as the president for her school’s student group, finding interest in helping students bridge the gap between academic and professional experiences. Currently working as a freelance designer, Michelle’s interests also include working on pro bono projects for nonprofit organizations. By encouraging design volunteer work in the community, Michelle hopes to help others understand the importance of design.
Sustainability Chair
Angelica Rabang
808 722 4532
sustainability@aigahonolulu.orgAngelica was born and raised on O‘ahu and has been pursuing graphic design as her career of choice since she was a freshman at Kapolei High School. Having earned her BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Angelica is an optimist just beginning her career. Besides seeking new opportunities, she is putting her efforts toward the improvement of the purpose, function, and aesthetic of design in this local industry, with a focus on sustainable practices. Conscious of the future, she is a ready and eager advocate for the progress of design as related to environmental sustainability.
Director-at-Large
Clifford Cheng
808 395 0089
programs@aigahonolulu.orgClifford Cheng is the founder and creative director of VOICE, a design firm that develops award winning communications programs including: identity, strategic communication, environments, consumer and business-to-business collateral and fund-raising campaigns. The firms national and international clients are a diverse mix of corporations, emerging companies and non-profit organizations including: Azabu USA, Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate, General Growth Properties, Obayashi Group, Hyatt Hotels, Young Brothers, Verizon, JTB, The Honolulu Zoo, The American Cancer Society, Kuakini Hospital, Blue Planet Foundation and Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Clifford is also co-owner and designer for the internationally acclaimed Hawai‘i Skin Diver Magazine.
Cheng’s work has been published in numerous design and advertising annuals, periodicals and books. He consistently receives local, national and international awards from leading design organizations including: the Honolulu Advertising Federation PELE Awards, the American Advertising federation ADDY Awards, the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and the Society of Publication Designers (SPD). In 2007, his work for the Hawaii Tourism Authority garnered several Gold Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA). His work for AIGA Honolulu won both Best In Show design and print at the Hawaii’s 5-0 Design Competition. More recently, he was awarded four Pele Awards and a 2008 National Addy Award.
Sithiporn Keller
808 --- ----
programs@aigahonolulu.orgBio coming soon.
Ken Lincoln
808 --- ----
programs@aigahonolulu.orgBio coming soon.
Saedene Yee-Ota
808 --- ----
programs@aigahonolulu.orgBio coming soon.