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Cheers & Tiers: From Chapter President to Design Champion, a Conversation with Frances Yllana

There’s something special about podcast conversations that flow so naturally you forget you’re recording. That's exactly what happened when Frances Yllana (pronounced: ill-ee-yana) joined Erik and me on the “Cheers & Tiers” podcast.

Author

Rachel Elnar
May 13, 2025

Frances joined us looking composed and thoughtful as we dove into her journey from AIGA Dallas/Fort Worth to the national stage. What struck me most was how her involvement with the organization evolved from simply attending events to becoming a voice that helps shape the organization’s direction.

“I never expected AIGA to become such a defining part of my career,” Frances shared with a smile. She explained how she initially joined by offering to help with communications for the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter, which had only been hosting a couple of events per year at that time. Under her leadership, they grew from about 70 members to 150, and increased their event frequency from twice a year to twice a month.

The Infamous Inflatable Banana Incident

I couldn't resist bringing up one of my earliest memories of Frances: “I remember you at a retreat where you were walking around with an inflated banana. Is that correct?”

Frances immediately lit up, confirming the story.

She explained that during a chapter presidents' panel (likely in Grand Rapids), the other presidents had brought props, including an inflatable banana. While joking around with it before the panel, Frances claimed it as her own.

“That’s one of the things that happened at a lot of the retreats,” she explained. “I would find a thing and carry it around and try to give it to somebody.”

The DIY Engineer

Frances’s stories about AIGA retreats were some of my favorites. Beyond the inflatable banana, she shared her reputation as someone who could fix anything—from finding a lost wedding ring to taking apart a hotel sink without tools (much to the surprise of her fellow AIGA leaders).

“I don't know where that comes from,” she laughed. “I used to watch a lot of Home Time when I was a kid. But I think part of me wants to be like that contractor. I could take things apart very easily.”

She traced this skill back to being the youngest child in an immigrant family, where she often made things for herself. “You need anything taken apart? Call me,” she offered.

Designing Democracy

When we turned to her work with Design for Democracy, Frances's passion for civic engagement through design was evident. She explained how the initiative connects designers with civic purposes, particularly through the “Get Out the Vote” campaign, where designers contribute posters that libraries, schools, and election places can download and use.

“Design has the power to make civic participation more accessible and engaging,” she explained. It wasn’t just about making things look good—it was about using design to strengthen democratic processes.

From Herding Volunteers to Design Operations

Frances eventually connected her AIGA leadership experience to her transition into design operations. “Leading volunteers taught me skills that directly translate to coordinating design teams,” she noted.

“I get to support all the designers and researchers and sometimes the engineers and they’re doing amazing work,” she explained. Her design background and leadership experience from AIGA positioned her perfectly to guide teams without having to do all the design work herself.

Want to hear more stories like Frances’s? Subscribe to Cheers & Tiers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’ll have more episodes featuring your friends and your favorite design leaders, sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

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