Shawn K. Simmons is a Professor of Communication Design at MIAD, joining the faculty in 2011. She previously taught at Kent State University and received her MFA in Graphic Design from Rhode Island School of Design in 2007. She has developed and taught classes ranging from design foundations to senior thesis, with particular interest in information design, concept development, book art and fibers.
Simmons began her career as a communication designer in 1996. She has worked for such design studios as Traction Factory (where she received two Bell Awards for Art Direction projects for Snap-On Tools), and Digication (providing design work for Alex +Ani among others). Additional clients include the Brewcity Bruisers Roller Derby; Jo Snow Syrups; Serving Sites; Johns Hopkins University; Parkinson Foundation; American University; Providence Monthly; AIGA; Cleveland State University; Art Books Cleveland; and Elmbrook Church.
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Simmons has participated in various conferences, workshops and lectures throughout North America, speaking about her research into metaprocess books, design authorship, book design, modular origami and book art. Her artists’ books have been exhibited at numerous galleries, national and international exhibits and reside in many private collections as well as in libraries at Yale University, University of Utah, University of Denver, University of Miami and the Cleveland Public Library. Simmons’ work is also featured in 1,000 Artists’ Books by Sandra Salamony.
With over 20 years of marketing and design experience, Simmons is conscious of the importance of working as a practicing professional designer in the field, in order to stay fresh in design methods and processes and sustain expertise in the field. She believes this experience as an active designer, artist, design thinker and theoretician combine with her adaptable approach to the classroom to provide a well-rounded design education for her students.
Learn more about Shawn’s work at https://www.manifold-design.com
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