EDUCATION
MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
BFA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University
EXPERIENCE
Assistant Dean, School of Architecture and Design, University of Kansas
Director of Teaching and Learning, University of Lincoln, UK
Director, School of Design, University of Central Oklahoma
Professor of Graphic Design
Director, Letterpress & Prototyping Lab, University of Central Oklahoma
Director, BFA in Graphic Design, University of Central Oklahoma
Professor of Practice, Industrial Design
Creative Director, Walker Creative
Art Director, Walker Creative
Carriage horse driver, Michigan Avenue, Chicago. I learned that a sense of humor can get you out of almost every situation. Two years.
“Catholic school…as vicious as Roman rule” – Death Cab for Cutie. Twelve years.
CV HIGHLIGHTS
99U Fellow / Behance
AIGA Fellow / AIGA, the Professional Association for Design, New York, New York
The ANIMAL Conference : ‘How Good Design Saves Lives.’
TEDx UCO : ‘Big Ideas from the Sofa’; This presentation discussed using the power of ideas, partnerships, individual engagement and the application of one’s own talent and passion (from the safety and comfort of one’s own sofa) to create change in the world.
AIGA: Head, Heart Hand National Conference : Speaker ‘Design for Good’ the work of Clocktower and Inktank Studios.
The ANIMAL Conference : Ideas, Impact, and Inspiration ‘Design to Protect Elephants.’
TRUTH IN ADVERTISING
I have been very fortunate in my career. I have been trusted and supported by Chairs and Deans who have been willing to read my proposals and then walk them up the many and various chains for approval. Often more than once! I have also been fortunate to have people talk out ideas with me that I have been able to support.
My favorite thing in the world is to have an idea, or hear one, that would make things better for students and faculty; create a proposal and then try to get it through. Sometimes this feels like tilting at windmills, sometimes like drowning…but when you win one…all I wanna do is do it again!
Special thanks to Larry Hefner and Steve Hansen. Thanks also to John Clinton, Pam Washington, John Barthell, and Don Betz.
What you’ll see on the Design for School pages are ideas I’ve had or ideas I was able to help support and sustain. I love supporting and crediting a good brainchild!
SOCIAL DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Rick was right. We can do more than sell dog biscuits and hair gel.
And we must. Let’s do something, fix something, change something.
RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY
Design research in my studio is about design doing. It is fiddling, tinkering, making, tweaking, doing, failing and doing again. It’s about seeing old things from new viewpoints, then tweaking and building, and collaborating to solve. It’s also about the lessons learned from failure and the determination to move forward again despite such outcomes. Action research is the ultimate playground. It can change the world or at least your corner of it.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Design is a super power, wield it well & never, ever settle.
I believe design can make a difference in the world and when you leave my class you’ll be able to do things you never thought you could do when you arrived.
I believe it is my responsibility never to let you settle for less than your best. This is where we ignite your mind. This is where we launch your career. This is where we set the trajectory of your future. I believe in you.
And I will help you learn to believe in you too.
from The Animal Conference. If you haven’t been, you should go!
CONTACT
amy@fullmetalmuse.com
amy@amyjohnson.co
+1 405 313 7076