The founders of ASAI, Steve Rich, Frank Costantino and Steve Oles created ASAI (originally ASAP) with the mandate to foster communication among its members, raise the standards of architectural drawing, and acquaint the broader public with the importance of such drawings as a conceptual and representational tool in architecture. This remains our mandate to this day.

Today, ASAI membership embraces not just professional illustrators, but also architects, planners, designers, teachers, students, corporations, and anyone engaged in the serious pursuit of architectural drawing. Read the Founder’s Story.

The principal means of achieving the organization’s goals is Architecture in Perspective (AIP), an annual international competition, exhibition and catalog, which has included work by many of the most accomplished contemporary architectural illustrators from around the world. Each year approximately 60 pieces are chosen for exhibition by a jury of respected professionals selected from the fields of architecture, illustration, fine art, photography, and design education. The artwork deemed to be the year’s most outstanding is accorded the organization’s highest award, The Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize. By providing not only award recognition, but also a forum for the practitioners of this art form, the American Society of Architectural Illustrators has focused attention on an increasingly diverse, yet refined level of work. With a large international membership, the work of the Society’s members has become the touchstone for many of the most eloquent voices and hands in the field.

Each year, AIP competition, the society and the profession are celebrated in a conference, that brings together ASAI members, guest speakers and interested others. The conference also serves as the launchpad for the AIP exhibit and catalog.

The American Society of Architectural Illustrators assists in the advancement of the art and the profession in a number of significant ways. It serves as a referral agency for those seeking the services of an illustrator, as a network for practitioners and affiliated organizations from around the world, as a clearing-house for ideas and discussions about architectural illustration, and as a sponsor of regional and local member activities.

The central purpose of ASAI remains the improvement of architectural drawing worldwide. By recognizing and celebrating the highest achievements in the illustration of our built environment, the organization—together with the dedicated, committed and passionate efforts of its international members—continues to further the quality of the work of all who have an interest in architectural illustration. In 1995, ASAI was recognized by the AIA with an American Institute of Architecture Honor Award, commending the organization for its work in strengthening collaborative associations with the communities of architects, designers and other professionals, and for its programs dedicated to educating the public about architectural drawing.