The Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) consists of professionals in Web design, digital art, illustration, animation and other visual arts fields. They have chapters in various cities, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and professional membership is $200 each year. When you join for the first time there is also an application fee of $30. To qualify for professional membership, you must make half of your income from the graphic arts field.Regional gatherings vary in topic and scope, but typical meetings feature things such as networking events, speaker programs and panel discussions. There is also an "at large" chapter that is dedicated to serving members that do not live close to any of the existing chapters. This organization is a wonderful group for those who are looking to work with other professionals in the field on advocacy issues. They are very proactive about topics that relate to employment in this arena and will lobby for things such as copyright issues and taxes. It is also a great way to connect with other people employed in the field. More information is available on their Website.

The Society of Illustrators (SI) was founded in 1901 and is located in New York. Membership dues are based in part on proximity to the city and there is a reduced costs associated with being out of district. Regular "Illustrator" membership is $500 for residents and $300 for non-residents. Non-residents are considered anyone who is more than 125 miles from the group's headquarters. An application for Illustrator membership must be signed by a sponsoring member, but there are other types of membership that do not require sponsorship. There is also a student membership available.The group has many different events throughout the year. Some examples include an educator's symposium, member shows, lectures and other special events. Almost all of these offer great opportunities for networking with others in the field; especially in the local New York area. Every year the Society of Illustrators recognizes the top achievements in the field by giving out a variety of awards and honors. Learn more about the value of membership and the various events that take place throughout the year on their site.

The Society for Technical Communication (STC) is a membership group that consists of technical writers, editors, technical illustrators, visual and Web designers and other technical communication specialists. There are approximately 14,000 members and within the main group there are a variety of special interest groups as well. The special interest groups are organized according to the type of work that the members do. Classic "Tier One" Membership is $165, which applies to those in the United States. This membership includes both printed and online publications and your choice of membership in one chapter and one special interest group–or three special interest groups. You can decide which you prefer after looking at what is available.

There are many perks to membership, including things such as access to a jobs database, continuing education classes, free seminars, and discounts on various products and insurance programs. Membership also gives you the chance to review a salary database, which can be a helpful tool in terms of staying competitive with your rates. There is also a conference that takes place each year. Take a look at all of the details!

The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) is a group that is open to anyone who is a Photoshop user. Membership costs $99 per year, but you can join for two years and pay only $179. Lead by experts in the field, the organization strives to keep members updated on the latest techniques and products and does so through an online community and a large annual convention. Another great perk of membership is the tech support and advice that is given for Adobe Photoshop, along with guidance for camera gear and other related systems. The cost of membership also includes a subscription to Photoshop User magazine.NAPP members can create a portfolio gallery that is open to the public, and there are written and video tutorials that are updated frequently as well as a job bank and resume area on the Website. In addition, membership means discounts on various items, such as hardware and software, and a reduced entrance fee at the yearly convention. Take a look at all the details and see if this organization is right for you.

Originally founded as the American Institute of Graphic Arts, this organization is now known as AIGA, the professional association for design. The group was created in 1914 and has over 22,000 members that are organized into different chapters, according to region. There are currently six divisions under which the 64 chapters are organized: Pacific, Midwest, Northeast, Western, South Central and Southeast. Although chapters vary in the activities they host, many hold events and programs ranging from social evenings to periodic membership meetings. They also have an annual design competition. Health insurance discounts, a listing in the AIGA Designer Directory and a newsletter are just some of the perks for members.

The cost of joining the group is $315 per year for those who have been employed in the design field for over four years, and $230 for those who are under that amount of time. If you join online under one of those two headings there is a $20 savings. Full-time faculty members may apply for a reduced-cost membership of $110. The AIGA offers over 450 events to members each year, as well as a yearly design conference. It is a well-known organization with a well-respected history. Learn more about it here.

The International Webmasters Association (IWA) is a professional trade organization for those who work in Web design and related industries. The group has over 200,000 members in 106 countries and there are more than 100 chapters. In addition to education and promotion, the group seeks to provide members with networking opportunities, regionally, nationally and internationally. The association offers many opportunities for professional development, including four different certifications and over 60 online classes. Classes include subjects such as eCommerce and Web development.The cost of membership is $49 per year for regular individual membership, which includes access to a special online "Members Only" section. Chapter meetings help members get to know each other and network on a local level, and many of these groups work to develop a Website to raise their profile in the community and to help promote their services to regional businesses. Those who are curious about the group but who are not sure if they want to join can sign up as a "Trial Member," which will give them a chance to see if they want to become full members down the line. Take a look here to learn more about this organization.

The International Graphic Arts Education Association, Inc. (IGAEA) was created as a resource for educators; especially those working in middle school, high school, college or vocational school. The cost of a regular individual membership is $40 per year. People who teach classes in photography, graphic arts, visual communications or printing are examples of those who typically seek membership in this organization.

The association holds an annual conference that offers members a great opportunity to share ideas with other educators and to network with those in related fields. Each year the conference is held in a different location. There are currently seven different regions that make up the group, including the Far East, Canada, England & Europe and several sections of the United States. The IGAEA also has a newsletter, a professional journal and an online forum. They also hold a poster contest each year during Graphic Communications Week. Look a little deeper here to see if this group might be right for you.