The Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) is a membership group for those who shape the idea of a building or other structure by using signage, graphics and other methods to communicate the identity of a company, business or product. The group has more than 1,600 members and they come from a variety of different fields. The interdisciplinary network is one of the main advantages of membership.There are several membership categories, but the "design professional" heading is geared for those in visual communications. The cost to join for one year is $305 for residents of the United States, plus an application fee of $40. The organization publishes The International Journal of Environmental Graphic Design, and they keep an archive of publications related to the field as well. A yearly conference offers many opportunities for networking with professionals in the industry and the SEGS also gives out awards each year as well. Learn more about this unique organization and the value of membership here.

The Organization of Black Designers (OBD) was formed in 1990 and it currently has more than 10,000 members. Although the organization seeks to foster awareness within the design professions of the contributions of African Americans and other designers of color, membership is open to everyone. Professional membership costs $175 annually, and there are several other membership categories as well, including a student membership at $75 per year.Discussions and presentations take place at the OBD's weekly meeting in Washington, DC. The group also has mentoring initiatives and continuing education opportunities throughout the country. The organization is also actively partnering with furniture, apparel and product manufacturers to market some of the African American designers from within its ranks. Advocacy and networking are both good reasons to join this organization. To review the eligibility requirements for professional membership and to learn more about this group, visit their Website.

The Color Association of The United States has been around since 1915, and it is as relevant today as it was back then. Color is an important factor in things such as branding, marketing and design, and it has a large impact on many different career fields. Graphic designers, Web developers and other visual communication professionals all use color to enhance their product and design concepts. This well-known group provides color trend forecasts as well as access to an archival library of colors. They also offer various presentations and workshops throughout the year. Some of the subjects include things such as color marketing, color psychology and how color impacts emotion.First time members pay a one-time $300 registration fee and then a $650 membership fee each year. The fee includes a choice of one color forecast for women's, men's, youth or interior sectors. Members may add other color forecasts for an additional fee of $300. Corporate members pay a $1350 fee per year and also have the $300 registration fee. For more information visit their Website.

Corporate Communication International (CCI) is a membership group that functions as an advocate, incubator and clearinghouse for information on different forms and formats of corporate communications. This subject is related to fields such as technical communications, media relations, advertising and management communications. With more business being conducted over the Internet, this arena is becoming more and more important. Many companies now have advanced Websites, and some companies exist only on the Web. Communication is an important item for any business.Every year the organization conducts a three-day global Conference on Corporate Communication which serves as a bridge between the latest research and real world applications. Scholars and practitioners meet and discuss various topics in the field, which can yield valuable results. Corporate membership in CCI costs $500, but there is also a Firm Membership (Principal) for $350 and an Academic Membership for $350. Students can join for $300. Members have access to three journals as well as an online management library. Visit CCI's Website for more information about this organization, as well as details on how to join.

The American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) has been in existence since 1937 and it serves information professionals such as those involved in education, computer science and management. The group has over 56 chapters and there are members in more than 50 countries throughout the world. They also have 20 special interest groups in areas such as visualization and sound. Conferences are held throughout the year featuring presentations from industry leaders and the group brings people from a variety of fields together, so it can be a good resource for networking.

Regular membership costs $140 per year, and it includes things such as a professional journal subscription, access to job leads, reduced fees for conferences and continuing education classes and more. There are also memberships for students, retired professionals and organizations. The ASIS&T also gives out awards to outstanding members in the field at their annual meeting. For more information about this organization, visit their Website.

The Information Architecture Institute (formerly The Asilomar Institute for Information Architecture) is an organization that serves people who are employed in the design and construction of shared information environments. As this specialty continues to grow and evolve, the group works to assist those who work in this field so that they can keep abreast of the latest information as it happens. The IAI has a "Local Groups" initiative to help those employed as Information Architects to find one another, network and support each other. The Website features a job board and member directory, and the group also has a mentoring program.Professional membership costs $40 each year, but you can join for two years and pay only $75. There is also a student membership option at $20, and a group membership at $200. Membership includes a subscription to the Journal of Information Architecture, reduced rates for many events and discounts on books, tools and courses. There are other perks as well. To learn more about the details, visit the organization's Website.

The Photo Marketing Association (PMA) is a professional trade group that supports those involved with the photo imaging industry by helping them stay on top of new technology, among other things. This organization can be a great resource for photographers, but it is also a wonderful networking tool for marketing professionals who want to have an edge in their arena. Photo imaging has become a highly technical specialty that is constantly evolving, and many different career fields make use of photography for advertising and promotional purposes. PMA has over 20,000 members in more than 100 countries, and the group offers many perks to those who join. In addition to educational programs, the organization also provides access to marketing research and various business services. The "Member Service Center" has industry statistics and publications available, and the association has many related "member associations" that fall under their umbrella. These associations serve various specialties within the field. The group is also tied in with trade shows. For more information about membership costs, as well as details on the regional divisions that may be located near you, check out their Website.

The Art Directors Club (ADC) is an organization that exists for those who work in integrated media, such as people employed in advertising, communications and design. There are several different kinds of memberships, including individual, student, corporate and academic. Individuals with more than two years of work experience in visual communications that live within a 100-mile radius of New York City pay an annual fee of $225 for membership. Those under 30 years of age who have worked a minimum of one year in the field qualify for "young professional" membership at a fee of $100. Non-resident/international membership is for those living outside the 100 mile radius and the cost is $175.

Benefits of membership include access to ADC events which include things such as workshops, exhibitions, conferences and networking opportunities. Since the group is a global organization, the ability to correspond with other professionals throughout the world is also a nice perk. Although many of the gatherings are in New York, the organization enjoys a long, solid history and has a good-sized membership. More information is available at their Website.