J. Blake Johnson
Assistant Professor of Art
Department of Art/Graphic Design
Arbury Fine Arts Center, 117
989-964-2255
Appointed to SVSU in 2007
J. Blake Johnson joined faculty at Saginaw Valley State University in 2007. Prior to SVSU he worked for a number of design firms in Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, California with a wide range of graphic projects including print media, signage and wayfinding, web design, point-of-purchase displays and graphic user interface design. His client list includes Nike, Sony, NBC, X-BOX, Microsoft, Adidas and Columbia Sportswear as well as a number of hospitals and universities in the Pacific Northwest.
Blake holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA and a Master of Fine Art from University of Idaho. While at University of Idaho Blake worked as teaching assistant and adjunct professor and taught introductory design courses, intermediate graphic design and advanced digital imaging. Courses taught at SVSU include Introduction to Graphic Design and Introduction to Computer Graphic Design.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Graphic design is one form of visual communication, the language of which will increase in both importance and complexity as we communicate through traditional media and embrace new media technology. My goal is to engage students’ curiosity and enthusiasm for design, visual communication, visual culture and media aesthetics. I strive to ensure students gain a clear understanding of the principles of design and as their understanding of those principles matures I encourage them to question expected design solutions. My classroom environment challenges students as they approach each project as a problem with an ideal design solution found through project development. I desire to see students acquire the skills necessary to succeed beyond the classroom.
EDUCATION
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, Master of Fine Art, 5/2007, Emphasizing Graphic Design
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California, Bachelor of Fine Art, 1997, Emphasizing Graphic and Packaging Design, Honors Graduate
Art Center Europe, La Tour-de-Peliz, Switzerland Fall Term 1995
Ricks College, Rexburg, Idaho, Associate Degree, 1993, Arts and Sciences, Honors Graduate
TEACHING
Saginaw Valley State University, August 2007 - present Saginaw, MI
Introduction to Graphic Design (Art 250)
Introduction to Computer Graphic Design (Art 260)
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID August 2004 - 2007
Visual Communications (Art 110)
Graphic Design 1 (Art 221)
Graphic Design 2 (Art 222)
Digital Imaging Art (Art 380)
BFA Art/Design Studio, Co-Instructor (Art 490)
PROFESSIONAL
Pillar Data Systems, Denver, Colorado, Graphic User Interface Designer, June 2006 - Current
IDL Merchandising Solutions, Portland, Oregon, Senior Graphic Designer, April 2002 - August 2004
Anderson Krygier Inc., Portland, Oregon, Designer, March 2001 - March 2002
Freelance Designer, Portland, Oregon, November 2000 - March 2001
Spectra Entertainment, Simi Valley, California, Senior Graphic Designer May 1998 - October 2000
San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, Pasadena, California, Marketing/Promotions Graphic Designer, Pasadena, October 1996-May 1998
Graphic Services Inc., Rexburg, Idaho, Graphic Designer, September 1991 - April 1993