Jacob Ristau
Chicago, IL, USAMy creative researches currently orbit the concepts of play and curiosity. These concepts manifest in the physical and performative aspects of visual/verbal language (i.e. dimensional typography, bookmaking and word art) and vigorous investigations into the nonlinear and intuitive aspects of creative process in both educational, professional and personal contexts.
Work Experience
Visual Communication Department, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
Assistant Professor
A tenure-track teaching appointment in the Visual Communication Design department at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).
August 2014
- Present
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Herron School Of Art & Design, IUPUI
Assistant Professor
A tenure-track teaching appointment in the Visual Communication Design program in the Herron School of Art & Design at Indiana University & Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
August 2012
- May 2014
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Herron School Of Art & Design, IUPUI
Visiting Assistant Professor
A full time teaching appointment in the Visual Communication Design program in the Herron School of Art & Design at Indiana University & Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
August 2011
- May 2012
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
University Of North Texas, College Of Visual Arts & Design
Visiting Assistant Professor
A full time teaching appointment in the Communication Design program in the College of Visual Arts & Design at the University of North Texas (UNT).
August 2010
- May 2011
Denton, Texas, United States
Auckland School Of Design (ASoD), Massey University
Program Leader of Visual Communication Design & Lecturer, Level 8 – Permanent Position (Lecturer is the NZ equivalent to US Asst. Prof.)
Program Leader Duties Included: (in addition to regular teaching, administration and research duties) administrating the VCD program at ASoD across all years (~110 students, 3 permanent staff, ~6 contract staff and ~40 courses annually); VCD academic development; program specific budget management; coordinating the VCD workshop: bindery, letterpress and digital printery
Other Duties Included: a key position in the development and implementation of the Integrated Design degree program (launched 2010), ASoD Quality Assurance Committee (QAC), ASoD Executive Committee, VCD Program Committee, Institute for Communication Design QAC, College Undergraduate Studies Committee, Sustainability Research Network, Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Discussion Group (at Albany campus), College of Creative Arts (CoCA) Teaching and Learning Group
Courses Taught: Graphic Design 1, Graphic Design 3, Typography 3, Typography 4, Integrated Design Studio, Special Topic: Identity Graphic Design, Design Research Methods (co-taught), VCD Research Project, & VCD Major Project, as well as Grad Diploma & MDes advising in VCD, and advising undergraduate students across the entire ASoD VCD program
Other Duties Included: a key position in the development and implementation of the Integrated Design degree program (launched 2010), ASoD Quality Assurance Committee (QAC), ASoD Executive Committee, VCD Program Committee, Institute for Communication Design QAC, College Undergraduate Studies Committee, Sustainability Research Network, Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Discussion Group (at Albany campus), College of Creative Arts (CoCA) Teaching and Learning Group
Courses Taught: Graphic Design 1, Graphic Design 3, Typography 3, Typography 4, Integrated Design Studio, Special Topic: Identity Graphic Design, Design Research Methods (co-taught), VCD Research Project, & VCD Major Project, as well as Grad Diploma & MDes advising in VCD, and advising undergraduate students across the entire ASoD VCD program
June 2008
- March 2010
Auckland, New Zealand
Department Of Art, University Of Redlands
Assistant Professor, Level 2 (tenure-track)
Duties Included: (in addition to regular teaching, administration and research duties) committees, including three hiring committees within the Department of Art and the Department Executive Committee; student advising; facility management;
course development; coordination of two major group student exhibitions, and three solo exhibitions of invited artists, and the creation of gallery promotional material
Courses Taught: Intro. to Graphic Design, Intermediate Graphic Design, Advanced Design Workshop, Graphic Design Practicum, Books Arts, Typography, 2D Foundations, Senior Projects (capstone course), Johnston Center for Integrative
Studies course: Playing with Others—a First Year Seminar for Johnston Freshmen co-taught with two other faculty members; as well as a number of independent studies each semester from across the university
course development; coordination of two major group student exhibitions, and three solo exhibitions of invited artists, and the creation of gallery promotional material
Courses Taught: Intro. to Graphic Design, Intermediate Graphic Design, Advanced Design Workshop, Graphic Design Practicum, Books Arts, Typography, 2D Foundations, Senior Projects (capstone course), Johnston Center for Integrative
Studies course: Playing with Others—a First Year Seminar for Johnston Freshmen co-taught with two other faculty members; as well as a number of independent studies each semester from across the university
August 2006
- May 2008
Redlands, Canada
Visual Communication Department, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
Adjunct Instructor
Course Taught: Beginning Typography
June 2005
- July 2005
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Education
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
MFA
Master of Fine Arts, with emphasis in Visual Communication Design
September 2003
- May 2005
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Abilene Christian University
BFA
Bachelor of Fine Arts, with emphasis in Graphic Design
August 1996
- August 2000
Abilene, Texas, United States
Awards
Print Magazine: Regional Design Annual 2003
Two logos included in publication (Southwest Region)
2003
Dallas Society Of Visual Communication: 45th Annual Show
Five logos and one studio-promotional design chosen for exhibition
2003
Houston Art Director's Club
Four Awards of Excellence: for three logos and one studio-promotional design
2002