Best Benefit Ever: Free Legal Services for Design Professionals

What’s the benefit? While many artists would prefer to focus on their craft rather than the business logistics of the trade, talent alone can’t keep legal affairs in order. The American Institute of Graphic Arts  (opens in a new tab) (AIGA), which bills itself as “the professional association for design,” is taking some of the pressure off its members by partnering  (opens in a new tab) with Shake  (opens in a new tab), a digital platform for creating, signing, and sending legal agreements. Users can also personalize documents and view them on Dropbox  (opens in a new tab), Box  (opens in a new tab), and Google Drive  (opens in a new tab). AIGA members who join Shake receive free access to Shake Pro for a year and then 50 percent off the regular rate for the subsequent year.

Why it works for members: Designers and other creative types need to make sure their legal bases are covered at all times, to protect their livelihood. Shake’s services provide AIGA members with a simplified way to manage legal documents and keep tabs on transactions should any disputes occur. The services can be especially helpful to freelancers who need to oversee all of their contracts on one all-inclusive platform.

Other perks: All AIGA members can benefit  (opens in a new tab) from the association’s wealth of professional development resources, including personal member portfolios, the Designer Directory, and the organization’s job board. And members at the Supporter level and above receive discounts on a range of products and services from businesses such as Shutterstock  (opens in a new tab), Adobe  (opens in a new tab), Moo  (opens in a new tab).

(ugde/ThinkStock)