YoDeNG, or the “Young Designers Networking Group,” serves as a support network for local design professionals to meet and learn from one another. Like most organizations that focus on in-person gatherings, 2020 has challenged us. Nevertheless, YoDeNG (pronounced “yo-dang”) has adapted its efforts to ensure young designers’ continued support in the community.

Though unable to gather in person for our monthly meetups, YoDeNG focused on improving the experience of architectural associates in Northern Nevada from behind the scenes. For one, this year, the group strengthened ties with the Truckee Meadows Community College Architecture Department. The American Institute of Architecture Student Chapter at TMCC has always been a vibrant source of inspiration in our community. By staying more closely connected and attending each other’s monthly meetings, the AIANN and TMCC AIAS could share more resources, information about upcoming events, and even scholarship opportunities.

Working with the students at TMCC highlighted the importance of physical reference materials for the education of future architects. Our library of Architect Registration Examination 5.0 study materials has gone digital! Free to use by Northern Nevada residents preparing for the AREs, you can now search from titles available at librarycat.org/lib/AIANN. Once a significant individual financial burden, these materials have been donated by recently licensed local architects for use by those who need them.

In this time of social distancing, adaptation is key. With meetings and events moving online, opportunities to reach across the state and regional lines have enriched how we work. To capitalize on this, the Emerging Professionals Directors for both AIANN and AIA Las Vegas have formed a partnership to share opportunities, events, and resources across the state.

We look forward to highlighting exciting updates from Southern Nevada and working together to collaborate on co-hosted events in the future.

The goal of YoDeNG is to strengthen cross-disciplinary relationships, support growing talents, and affect positive change within the Northern Nevada design community and beyond. While we hope to see you all in person soon, we hope you stay happy, healthy, and safe. Those looking to get involved, donate materials to the ARE resource library, or even be a fly on the wall should reach out to the organizer; Maggie Will, at maggiemwill@gmail.com, or the AIANN at aiann@aiann.org. Additional information, including upcoming events, can be found at aiann.org and on the AIANN Facebook page.