A B O U T

Full CV

Lisa Jayne Willard is a Communication Designer, Creative Director and University Educator. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Tampa and a former Visiting Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Indiana University Eskenaki School of Art, Architecture + Design. Previously she was a full-time Lecturer for the BFA Communication Design program at Texas State University.

Before teaching at the university level, she spent 25+ years as an advertising designer working for top agencies in St. Louis, NYC and Austin. Always designing, her current practice includes creative direction, graphic design, commissions and client-based freelance projects. She specializes in print, collateral, branding and writing, and has created advertising, book design, educational marketing, UX/UI design and much more. She is always interested in collaborating on design projects and providing consultation for your latest design-related needs!

Lisa graduated with an MFA in Communication Design (Graphic Design) from Texas State University in December 2017, where she was also a Graduate Instructional Assistant, and taught foundations and advanced design classes. She currently teaches all levels of Graphic Design, Typography I + II, Branding, Trademark, Packaging, Book Design and BFA Capstone.

After researching and writing a thesis on the recontextualization and use of the atlas as a design container, Lisa is often found designing her latest personal project applying these theories using her writing narratives, maps and data presented in various formats including books, newspapers and installations.

When not immersed in all things design, she might be backpacking around Europe (pre-pandemic!), sitting on a beach, visiting her home—NYC, visiting one of her three kids who are scattered around the country, practicing or teaching yoga, riding her bike, taking endless pics of her 16-year-old cat Lucille and her island-rescue pup Frida. Also reading everything she can carry or fit on her Kindle. She is thinking about expanding her all-black wardrobe.

education

MFA Communication Design (Graphic Design), 2017
Texas State University

Thesis Link: What is an Atlas? An Historical Overview and Comparison of Use Between The Netherlands and The United States, and a Recontextualization for 21st Century Design

International Perspectives in Typography, 2016
Texas State University, Germany + The Netherlands

International Design Synergy, 2016
Texas State University + Jade Hochschule, Wilhelmshaven, Germany

BA Fine Art (Drawing + Sculpture)

Southern Illinois University

AA Fine Art
Southwestern Illinois College

curent work Full CV

Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
School of Art + Design
University of Tampa

Visiting Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
School of Art, Architecture + Design
Indiana University

Freelance Designer
STL > NYC > ATX > TPA
lisajaynewillard.com
Partial Client List:
American Express, AT&T, Austin American Statesman, AVDLM, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Bartley+Dick NYC, Chase Bank, CibaVision, Coca-Cola, Comcast, Compaq, CB Richard Ellis, Duke Energy, Duke Manufacturing, Emerson Motors, Express Scripts, Gallup Foundation, Gerson Lehrman, Google, Graybar, Hager, Life Uniforms, Bank of America (NationsBank), NY Fashion Week, Panera Bread, SBC, Siteman Cancer Center, Sony, St. Alexius Hospital, St. Louis Zoo, Toys 'R Us, USA Today, Zoo Atlanta, Zimmer Orthopedics

previous work

Full-Time Lecturer, 2018
School of Art + Design, BFA Communication Design
Texas State University

Graduate Teaching Assistant (Teacher of Record), 2016–2017
School of Art + Design, BFA Communication Design
Texas State University

Senior Graphic Designer, 2016
University Marketing
Texas State University

Associate Creative Director
Meridian Enterprises
Saint Louis, MO

Creative Supervisor + Senior Art Director
DMW Worldwide
Saint Louis, MO

Senior Art Director
DMB&B ( D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles )
Saint Louis, MO

Adjunct Faculty
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

exhibitions

- MFA ComDes Creative Showcase, 2018
Juried Competition, Texas State Galleries;
LOVE (Video), Inside Dutch Design (Book Design)
Meta-Phorical Graphic Atlas (Book Design)

- National Student Show, Dallas, Texas, 2017
Juried Competition; Graduate Student Category
Inside Dutch Design (Book Design)

- MFA ComDes Creative Showcase, 2016
Juried Competition, Texas State Galleries
Water Miser (Mobile App)

- Texas State Galleries, Issues & Criticism, 2015
Under The Influence: Shaking Up The Way We View Design
Graduate Group Exhibition + Book Launch

recognition

- MFA Thesis Concept Award Nomination
Texas State University, Communication Design

- Thesis Research Support Fellowship
Texas State University, The Graduate College

- The Graduate Scholarship
Texas State University, Fine Arts and Communication

- Fine Arts Committee Student Service Award

- Friends of Fine Arts Endowment Award

- TPEG Public Educational Grant, Graduate Studies

- TSTG, Texas State Tuition Grant, Graduate Studies

scholarly honors

- Magna Cum Laude, Texas State University

- Alpha Chi Honor Society

- Fine Arts Committee Student Service Award

- Friends of Fine Arts Endowment Award

- President's High Honors / Dean’s List

- Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society

- Magna Cum Laude, Southern Illinois University

- Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges

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