About the Professional Graphic Designers Association
The Professional Graphic Designers Association (PGDA) is a membership body for graphic designers. We support professional recognition for designers, promote the value of graphic design, and provide accreditation for course providers in graphic design and related creative subjects.
The PGDA exists to help raise standards, strengthen credibility, and support the ongoing development of graphic designers working across a wide range of creative disciplines. Our aim is to give designers the recognition they deserve while helping them build stronger careers, greater confidence, and a clearer professional identity within the creative industries.
Meet Our Team of Champions
The PGDA Champions are a respected group of experienced creative professionals who share our commitment to promoting excellence across the design industry. Through their knowledge, insight and enthusiasm, they help us recognise outstanding work, inspire fellow designers and strengthen the wider creative community.
Our Champions may support the PGDA by judging the annual Designers of the Year Awards, contributing articles and industry insights, or taking part in future podcasts and discussions. Their involvement is always flexible and entirely optional, allowing each Champion to contribute in a way that reflects their interests and experience.
Above all, our Champions represent a shared passion for design and a desire to encourage, celebrate and support creative talent.
Pete Sturgess - Scotland
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT + CHAMPION
Pete Sturgess is President of the Professional Graphic Design Association and founder of the Creative Design School. A designer, educator and creative leader, he combines industry experience with a passion for championing professional standards, nurturing talent and helping designers build confident, purposeful careers.
Hristo Benev - Sofia
ASSOCIATION CHAMPION
An experienced design and creative leader, he brings versatile expertise across graphic and motion design, UI/UX, and global brand management. Working at both strategic and hands-on levels, Hristo ensure every project strengthens brand standards while delivering thoughtful, effective and engaging creative solutions consistently.
Emmanuel Cruz - Puerto Rica
ASSOCIATION CHAMPION
Emmanuel Cruz Lampón is a Puerto Rican Senior Art Director, Graphic Designer, Visual Artist and Creative Strategist with more than four decades of experience. An award-winning leader, author and founder of CDGPPR, he champions ethical, strategic design that creates cultural and organisational impact.
Lotta Glybotskaia - Buenos Aires
ASSOCIATION CHAMPION
Lotta Glybotskaia is an art director, graphic designer, artist and independent publisher with over 20 years of experience. Founder of Una In Space, she creates games, restoration projects, art objects and merchandise, while successfully launching international crowdfunding projects for diverse creative audiences worldwide.
Jon Samuels - London
ASSOCIATION CHAMPION
Jon is a long-established designer whose career spans over 2 decades, starting as a Graphic Designer, Website Designer, and Animator, and progressing to Head of Creative and User Experience Design. He has been involved in many high-profile campaigns to date. Based in London, Jon is a highly respected designer and mentor for junior designers.
Neve Connolly - UK
ASSOCIATION CHAMPION
Neve Connolly is a freelance graphic designer with a passion for creating bold, colourful and engaging visual identities. With experience across branding, packaging, digital design and social media, she enjoys working with independent businesses and creative brands to bring ideas to life through thoughtful and distinctive design.
Why the PGDA was created
The Professional Graphic Designers Association was created to champion the value of professional graphic designers and to support high standards across the industry. Graphic designers play a vital role in communication, branding, education, publishing, digital media, packaging, marketing and business development, yet the profession is often undervalued or misunderstood.
The PGDA was established to help address that by giving designers a stronger professional platform. We recognise the commitment, learning, experience and skill that go into becoming a serious design professional. We believe graphic designers should have access to meaningful recognition, ongoing support and opportunities for continued development throughout their careers.
Supporting graphic designers at every stage
The PGDA supports graphic designers at every stage of their journey, from newly qualified creatives to experienced professionals with many years in the industry. Whether someone is building their portfolio, developing a freelance career, working in-house, running a design business or leading creative projects, professional support and recognition can make a real difference.
Our role is to help members strengthen their professional standing and feel part of a wider design community. The PGDA gives graphic designers a place where their commitment to standards, creativity and development is recognised and supported.
What we stand for:
Professional recognition
Professional recognition is at the heart of the PGDA. Designers work hard to develop their skills, build their knowledge and gain practical experience. Membership helps reflect that commitment and supports a stronger professional identity.
For many designers, recognition is not only about status. It is also about confidence, credibility and the ability to present themselves more clearly to clients, employers, agencies and collaborators.
Professional development
The design industry continues to evolve, and ongoing development is an important part of staying current, relevant and effective. The PGDA supports continued professional development and lifelong learning for graphic designers who want to strengthen both their creative and professional skills.
Through our partnership with the Creative Design School, members can access further learning, advanced diploma-level development and wider opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Creative standards
The PGDA believes in high standards in graphic design. Membership reflects a commitment to quality, professionalism, ethical practice and creative excellence. We support designers who want to take their work seriously and continue building a strong, credible presence in the industry.
Community and connection
Graphic design can sometimes feel isolating, especially for freelancers and independent creatives. The PGDA helps bring designers together through a growing community built around shared standards, creative ambition and mutual support. We believe that strong design communities help people learn, collaborate and grow more effectively.
Why join the Professional Graphic Designers Association?
Joining the Professional Graphic Designers Association offers a range of benefits for designers who want to strengthen their professional profile and feel more connected to the wider industry.
PGDA membership can help support:
• professional recognition for your design skills and experience
• stronger credibility with clients, employers and agencies
• access to guidance, support and development opportunities
• connection to a wider network of graphic designers
• increased visibility through the PGDA members directory
• continued growth through learning and professional development
Whether you work in branding, editorial design, digital design, packaging, print, visual communication, creative direction or related areas, graphic design membership can help support your professional journey.
Accreditation and education
As well as supporting individual designers, the PGDA also provides accreditation for course providers in graphic design and related creative subjects. This includes areas such as visual communication, illustration, advertising, packaging design and social media content creation.
Our accreditation work supports the value of quality teaching and professional development within design education. It also helps learners and professionals identify courses that are aligned with high standards and meaningful creative progression.
Supporting the next generation of designers
The PGDA is equally committed to supporting emerging talent. New designers entering the field often need encouragement, structure, confidence and recognition as they begin their careers. By promoting professional standards and supporting clear development pathways, the PGDA helps the next generation of graphic designers move forward with greater confidence and purpose.
Become a member of our association now!
Join the Professional Graphic Designers Association and stand with designers who take their craft seriously. Membership gives you a credible professional home, a supportive network, portfolio feedback, and opportunities to showcase your work. We champion high standards, share real-world learning, and open doors to collaboration across the industry. If you’re ready to raise your profile and keep growing, become a member today. Let’s move your design career forward, together.