Any designer, whatever their technique, needs inspiration. Inspiration can come in many forms; it can be the natural world, other artists, advertising, magazines, etc., but finding it and maintaining it is an ongoing challenge designers face throughout their careers. The Design Archives of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) offer creators thousands of visual references to iconic designs throughout history to inspire their projects. With a collection dating back to the early 20th century, it is a valuable resource for artists of all disciplines, containing everything from book covers, to colors and typographic projects, among others. Read on to learn more about AIGA, the files and how to access them. Free 20,000 iconic AIGA designs to T-Shirt Design inspire you 1 Image from "The Cover Show (1994)". All images courtesy of the AIGA Design Archives. What are AIGA design files? The AIGA Design Files are a comprehensive and free resource for anyone with an interest in design, from experienced artists to hobbyists. Featuring more than 20,000 entries from AIGA's national design competitions, the archive includes everything from typography to illustrations , dating back to 1924. You'll find works by major studios as well as lesser-known artists and special collections dedicated to famous designers. You can also explore more than 7,000 objects collected in the annual AIGA competitions at the Denver Art Museum. AIGA is a professional design association created in 1914. What began as a small community of artists in New York has grown over the years into a nationwide collective of talented creators with more than 15,000 members. Its goal is to “advance design as a professional job, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force” through free resources, events, and more.