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EDUCATION
MFA in Graphic Design
2011
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Accredited by NASAD and WASC
BFA in Studio Art
2000
Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Accredited by NASAD
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor
2010-Current
Graphic Design Program
Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI
Adjunct Professor
2010
Department of Graphic Design
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Adjunct Professor
2008-2010
Visual Communication Program
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Adjunct Professor
2008-2010
Graphic Design Department
The Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Lecturer
2007-2008
Visual Communication Program
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Adjunct Professor
2006-2007
Visual Communication Program
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Research Interest
Hybrid teaching methods, curriculum development and implementation, social interactive design.
Teaching Interest
Interdisciplinary Design, Interactive Design, History and Theory of Graphic Design and Typography, Typography, Information Graphics, professional development and internships
ACADEMIC COURSEWORK EXPERIENCE
Advertising Copy and Layout
Practical application of advertising design techniques and electronic layout. Creative strategy. Intensive practice in copy writing for various media channels.
Computer Imaging 1
Introduction to computer literacy. Historical, practical, and technical concepts for the entry-level image manipulation. Demonstrations, exercises, and concepts necessary for computer imaging and graphic design.
Communication Design 1
The analysis and communication through expressive design. Exercises will include the selection and arrangement of type, color exploration, and imagery development as applied to conventional and digital solutions that communicate toward a specific audience. Continued application of presentation skills.
Communication Design 2
Continued research, analysis, and exploration of solutions in advanced information design to include multi-element campaigns for print and web applications. Students will work on individual, as well as, team projects.
Design Application 1
The structure of the class will simulate a professional studio environment involving client contact, design, project management, and production. Projects will include research, identification and assessment of client need,and the presentation of design proposals for print and web applications.
Design Application 2
A continuation and addition of projects from Design Application 1. The structure of the classroom will continue to simulate a professional studio environment involving client contact, design, project management, and production. Projects continue in research, identification and assessment of client need, and the presentation of design proposals
for print and web applications.
Design Seminar
Advanced research and study in communication design for print and digital media through case studies, guest lecturers, and site visitations.
Design Studio
Visual communication projects designed for community and university organizations. Focuses on professional design practices, techniques, understanding, creation and implementation of design projects. Design studio business organizational structure
and design principles are studied through professional client interactions.
Digital Tools 1
Students learn to use the Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop). The goal of the class is to obtain basic competence in creating page layouts and typesetting. Assignments are geared toward the technical aspects of page grids, detailed layout specification and creating illustrative forms for reproduction.
Graphic Design 1
Assignments devised to encourage conceptual thinking in relation to design development. Emphasis is placed on understanding and evaluating information, learning the value of research, and creating communicative symbology for idea-driven design solutions. Integration of form and content are required in all projects.
Graphic Design 3
This studio course is designed to explore visual communication and
the language of design through advanced creative problem solving. Issues relating to the research, planning, design, and application of branding and visual identity systems will be emphasized.
History of Graphic Design
Course explores a comprehensive survey of the historical and cultural events, technical innovations, art and design movements and important designers and typographers that have formed the origins of the art form that we now call graphic design.
Independent Study
Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation.
Information Graphics
Visual problems in typographic, diagrammatic, cartographic, and environmental displays of information. Ideation developed in two and three dimensions. Intermediate to advanced computer skills required.
Production Seminar
The exposure to current and future equipment and production methods utilized in visual communication and web design professions through case studies, guest lecturers, and site visitations.
Type Foundations
Explores structural and visual elements of typography. Develops hand skills and visual acuity. Emphasizes history, anatomy, and terminology, and introduces computer-generated type.
Typographics 1
Engage students to explore traditional and conceptual typographic problems and applications. Focusing on letter, word, line, paragraph, and type-image relationships. Computer-generated type at the intermediate level. Creation and updates
of class projects.
Typographics 2
Advanced typographic exploration and generation. Individualized study of type design, research, and technology in advanced experimental configurations and compositions by investigating the principles and communication qualities of typography
Visual Communication 1
The professional development of the student, aspects of time management, and multiple project assignments in print and web media. There will be a specific focus on direct and effective communications, consistency, comprehensive problem-solving, and the ability to present concepts clearly and in-depth.
Visual Communication 2
Continued research and discussion of the development, interpretation and implementation of information, evaluation processes, theories of communication, and design methods for print and web media. Will increase focus on multi-assignment project management, communication planning, and presentation skills.
Senior Capstone
Analysis, development, and preparation of a professional portfolio plus a written capstone statement. Self-promotion, resume, visual documentation and a final oral presentation.
ACADEMIC SERVICE
Design Project Center Coordinator
2011–current
Ferris State University
Graphic Design Program
Coordinate and develop the growth of partnerships between Ferris State University and private sector businesses, organizations and associations through design projects that utilize senior level student teams and resources.
Honors Program Mentorship Program
2011–current
Faculty Mentor
Honors Program at Ferris State University
Purposeful pairing and structured guidelines create a foundation for a successful new student experience. Veteran faculty are recruited and selected to serve as mentors and meet with new Honors Program students throughout the academic year. Monthly meetings are designed to help students grow to their full potential and to successfully transition to college life. Students in the mentorship program will learn to develop academically, socially and personally by networking with their faculty in a supportive and motivating environment.
Public Art and Beautification Advisory Commission
Chair 2009
Commission Member 2006-2008
City of Flagstaff, AZ
The Commission studies and recommends community beautification projects ranging from landscaping and irrigation, signs and billboards, buildings, facilities, streetscapes, gateways, the purchase and installation of public art projects within beautification projects, property acquisition for beautification and/or public art projects, and neighborhood-initiated projects, to mention a few.
Faculty Advisory Board Committee
2008
Co-Chairman
Northern Arizona University
Lumberjack Student Newspaper
Visual Communication Program Internship Coordinator
2007-2008
Northern Arizona University
Visual Communication Program
Implemented student internship programs for Visual Communication Majors between W.L. Gore and Northern Arizona University. Internships consist of 6 month long graphic design employment roles and responsibilities with professional marketing team members from W.L. Gore.
Drop In Academic Advisory
2007-2008
Northern Arizona University
Visual Communication Program
Answered questions and plan future coursework for Visual Communication Students.
Colleague-to-Colleague Mentorship Program
2007-2008
New Faculty Mentoree
Northern Arizona University
Purposeful pairing and structured guidelines create a foundation for a successful program. Since fall 2002, veteran faculty have been recruited to serve as mentors and meet with new faculty members with whom they are matched.
Interview Committee
2007
e-Learning Center
Interview Committee for the open position of Multimedia Technical Designer.
Faculty Welcome Weekend Reception
2007
Greeted incoming freshman students and discussed their majors and career paths.
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Senior Graphic Designer/ Managing Art Director
2005-2007
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Art directed, designed, prepared and marketed: advertising campaigns, billboards, brochures, environmental displays, exhibits, focus groups, invitations, photography, posters, strategic plans, web designs, and other university promotional and marketing materials. Supervise in-house graphic designer and photographer. Developed campus wide photo gallery with over 1,500 images and archive procedures for all images and data.
Art directed, coordinated, and implemented two major marketing rebranding initiatives; completed launch of new university identity and marketing campaigns as well as a new university website. Continual art direction and brand management for the campus, departments, and outside designers to maintain university brand and graphic standards
Graphic Designer
2003-2005
River Rock Marketing, Boulder, CO
Designed and created, brochures, flyers, logos and other promotional materials. Conferred with clients regarding project specifications, wrote bids and cost estimates. Coordinated direct mail marketing for River Rock Marketing. Handled all aspects of real estate marketing for River Rock including: architectural photography, business and strategic plans, customer relations, and marketing
Graphic Designer
2002-2004
KL Realty, Boulder, CO
Handled the design and marketing needs of a luxury real estate office including: advertising, art direction, graphic design, marketing and photography in both printed and digital formats. Designed and maintained company web site, produced a variety of weekly and monthly ads, organized and scheduled deadlines for a variety of ads, created brochures and content for property profiles of multiple real estate listings, worked with outside design and print venders on a variety of marketing projects, and delegated work related responsibilities to office personnel.
Freelance Designer
1999-current
William Culpepper, Inc., Various locations
Produced a wide range of outputs including: advertising, branding, business plans, marketing, graphic design, photography, print management, strategic planning, and web development.
FREELANCE AND CONTRACT CLIENT WORK
W.L. Gore and Associates, Contract graphic design
Summit Velo, Identity, clothing and marketing
Flagstaff Biking, Marketing materials
Artists’ Coalition of Flagstaff, Open Studios promotional material
River Rock Marketing, Graphic Design, Product Photography, Marketing
Black Hawk Station Casino, Graphic Design, Marketing
Sage, Inc, Branding materials
Concept Object, Graphic Design, Product photography
Becky Adams Real Estate, Marketing and photography
Friends First, Direct mail marketing brochures
Tool Studios, Product photography, design and marketing
St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, Newsletters
GS Boulder Cycling, Logo, clothing and website
Boulder Cheesecake, Art direction and photography
Boulder Nordic Club, Clothing design and newsletter
Start Events, Identity and website
Old Firehouse, Art Museum and brochures
Java Recruiters, Art direction and website
FINE ART EXHIBITIONS
2011
Interactive Contemplation, Kendall/Ferris Annual Faculty Exhibition, Big Rapids, MI
Design for Good Exhibition, Phoenix Design Museum, Phoenix, AZ
Brainstormers, Katzen Art Center, American University, Washington, DC
Seven x 11: Art for Art, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, MI
2010
Archistruct, ISE Cultural Foundation: Student Exhibition, New York, NY
Lens of Observation, Take Art / Leave Art, AVA’s Landis Gallery, Chattanooga, TN
Archistruct, Kendall/Ferris Annual Faculty Exhibition, Grand Rapids, MI
2009
Situational Awareness, ISE Cultural Foundation: Student Exhibition, New York, NY
Their Life, Fine Art Spring Show at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Hello I am, Take Art / Leave Art, AVA’s Landis Gallery, Chattanooga, TN
2008
User Defined Observations 01, Day on the Artist Land, Flagstaff, AZ
Visual Observations in a Natural Setting, Wakonse Arizona, Payson, AZ
Hidden Typography 1,2,3, Recycled Art Show, Flagstaff, AZ
Hidden Typography 4,5, AIGA CMYK Show, Flagstaff, AZ
Escape or Reality? Recycled Art Show, Flagstaff, AZ
2007
Then and Now, NAU Faculty Art Show, Flagstaff, AZ
2006
Close, Space Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
Surprise Weeds, West Lawn, Alexandria, LA
2002
8 x 8, Billings Art Museum, Billings, MT
2000
Typographic Contemplations, Undergraduate Thesis Show, Bozeman, MT
Movements to Sky, Emerson Cultural Center, Bozeman, MT
Muse, Bozeman, MT
1999
Muse, Bozeman, MT
Turning Point, Little Johns, Bozeman, MT
1998
Twin Rights, Undergraduate Photography Show, Bozeman, MT
Mixed Nuts, Warehouse Muse, Bozeman, MT
Analog Evolution, Sunset Motel, Bozeman, MT
LIVE AUDIO AND VIDEO PRODUCTIONS
2007-2008
Electronique, KJACK, Flagstaff, AZ
2000
Space, Filling Station, Bozeman, MT
1999
Analog Evolution, Sunset Hotel, Bozeman, MT
Pink Flamingo, Battleridge, Bozeman, MT
Distortionize, Haynes Hall, Bozeman, MT
1998-2000
Sectors, KGLT Radio, Bozeman, MT
CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
2012
Honors Program Annual Art Exhibit, Awards Judge, Rankin Art Gallery, Big Rapids, MI
2010
Where I Live Exhibition, AIGA Student Exhibition, Rankin Art Gallery, Big Rapids, MI
2009
back/ track/ ing., Guest Curator, AIGA Student Show, Flagstaff, AZ
2008
Arizona Digital Media Investigations
Curator
Arizona Digital Media Investigations, Curator, Flagstaff, AZ
This exhibit presented views of current digital media by higher education digital media faculty from across the country, while concurrently presenting live and interactive works that push beyond known digital media boundaries.
The exhibit was open to all faculty teaching in the fields of: animation, computer-based art, digital art, media and interactivity, emerging technologies, graphic design, interactive design, media technologies, multi-media, music and electronic sound art, photography, photojournalism and visual communication.
Journal postings to the exhibit by each participating faculty artist fostered a dialogue of visual and written discussion on the processes involved in producing each of the educators’ exhibits. The public audience was invited to participate by viewing the faculty journal postings and contributing their own comments and observations.
2012
Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
2011
Grafik Intervention, Pivot: AIGA Design Conference, Phoenix, AZ, October
2010
Creativity in Advertising, Dr. Clay DeDeaux Advertising Management Class
Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI
2009
A Designers View of Transportation, Rocky Mountain Fleet Conference, Winslow, AZ
2008
Teaching for Student Success: A Hybrid Classroom Environment
International Conference on Critical Literacy in Visual Culture, Dallas, TX
Digital Technology: A Hybrid Classroom Environment
Wakonse Teaching Retreat: Arizona, Payson, AZ
What Next?: Design Life After College, Panelist, Flagstaff, AZ
2011
Getting the Conversation Started with the Living Principles, Communication Arts, Sep/Oct
Winterhouse Symposium on Design Education and Social Change, 07.15.11
Picture Perfect, Ferris State University Torch, 01.26.11
Student Thesis Sparks Urban Revitalization, Academy of Art University, 04.11.11
Grad Starts Conversation About Urban Renewal, Academy of Art University, 06.15.11
2008
Arizona Digital Media Investigation, Inside NAU TV, 09.22.08
Arizona Digital Media Exhibit, Flagstaff Live, 09.25.08
Artistic Intersections: Where digital technology meets fine art, The Noise, 09.2008
CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS
2011
SEEK Design Conference
Pivot: AIGA Design Conference
TEDx Grand Rapids
Graphic Design Thinking, Ellen Lupton
Writing for Visual Thinkers, Andrea Marks
2010
AIGA New Contexts / New Practices, Raleigh, NC
Lilly North Conference on College and University Teaching, Traverse City, MI
The Future of a User Experience Designer, Grant Carmichael from ThinkXD
Customer Relationship Management in the Age of Social Media, Pierre Hulsebus
Social Media: Campus Policies and Protocols, Ferris State University
2009
Compostmodern 09, San Francisco, CA
Motivating Students: Theory and Practices
Generating and Assessing Productive Class Discussions
Discussing Curricular Redesign: Experiences from Four Academic Projects
2008
Wakonse Teaching Retreat, Arizona, Payson, AZ
International Conference on Critical Literacy in Visual Culture, Dallas, TX
Exploring Multiple Connections, Kip Fulbeck, University of California
Strategies to Help Students Realize Their Potential, Constance Staley, University of Colorado
2007
Southwest Arts Conference, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Phoenix, AZ
Adobe CS3 Seminar, Phoenix, AZ
2006
How Design Conference, Las Vegas, NV
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Proficient
Adobe Creative Suite (Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) QuarkXPress, MS Office, analog/ digital SLR cameras, MAC and PC operating systems
Awareness
HTML, CSS, CMS, Dreamweaver, Flash, ImageReady, Sketchup, analog/digital printing process, audio/video production
HONORS AND AWARDS
TIMME Faculty Grant, Ferris State University, 2011
Presidents Academic Honor List, Academy of Art University, 2009, 2008
Faculty Development Support Funds Program, Northern Arizona University, 2007
Eagle Scout, 1992
MEMBERSHIPS
2005-Current
AIGA / The Professional Association for Design
2010-Current
CAA / The College Art Association
COMPLETE JOB EXPERIENCE LIST
“If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be.”
~James Russell Miller
Present day to age 15
University Professor
Senior Graphic Designer
Print Broker
Art Director
Graphic Designer
Wedding Photographer
Ceramics Instructor
Cycling Coach
Sign Installer
Marketing Director
Architectural Photographer
Sculptor Assistant
UPS Night Crew
Bike Mechanic
Swimming Instructor
Sailing Instructor
Production Artist
Art Show Director
Electronic Music Promoter
Electronic Music DJ
Art Gallery Installation Worker
Sculpture Lab Assistant
Linen Driver
Tomato Stuffer
Fruit Hauler
Leaf Raker
Girl Scout Camp Worker
Architectural Intern
Corn Detassler
Landscape Worker
Burger King Server