Donald T. Austin
Interests
I have been practicing design for 25 years beginning as a graphic designer and later pursuing knowledge in mechanical engineering and industrial design. I also have a passion for aeronautical engineering and spent 13 years building my own aircraft that I now fly around the country. Teaching is my first priority. I consider myself a student of design along with the students I teach- I just add my experiences to the class and help students realize the necessity of "being curious" about everything.
Our culture and society continue to increase demands on the capabilities of visual communication specialists. We are being asked to integrate print and electronic graphics into industrial applications such as furniture, architecture, way-finding systems and city planning. Identities or branding systems are no longer just about logos and advertising. Almost everything we now see is about "image" and how that "image" is communicated through many different methods and mediums.
Graphic Designers have long been inventors of typography, pictorial images, information management systems and advertising. My courses are transforming from print and electronic communication to include problem solving in applications such as furniture and product design. These new challenges are very exciting for all of us involved in the discipline of visual communication.
Outside of the classroom I immerse myself in aviation and occasionally stand in a river waving a graphite stick in an attempt to master the art of fly-fishing. Fatherhood tops all- my little boy makes everyday a miracle.
Courses
- Art 110: 2-D Design
- Art 350: Visual Communication I
- Art 355: Visual Communication II
- Art 365: Package Design
- Art 440: Advanced Studio Projects, Visual Communication
Experience
1999-Present: Tenured Professor Of Art, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio
Visual Communication Program Coordinator.
2007-Present: Department of Art Chairperson, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio
1988-1999: Tenured Assistant Professor Of Art, Coker College, Hartsville, South Carolina Graphic Design And Photography Program Coordinator.
1988-1999: President & Creative Director, Austin-Lemke Associates
Hartsville, South Carolina
1988: Free-lance Creative Director, Solutions By Design, Fresno, California
1988: Senior Art Director, Thielen And Associates, Fresno, California
1986-1988: Art Director, Soto Associates, Fresno, California
1985-1986: Art Director, Eric Ericson And Associates, Nashville, Tennessee
Education
1994: Post Graduate Study, Yale University Summer Graphic Design Program, Brissago, Switzerland
1986: M.A., Graphic Design: Western Carolina University
1980: B.A., Studio Art: The College of Wooster
Awards and Exhibitions
2005: Sabbatical Exhibition, Dunlap Gallery, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio
2004: Creative Best, Columbus Society Of Communication Arts, Columbus, Ohio
Award Of Excellence, Identity & Stationery Package, Client- Austin Design
2004: Creative Best, Columbus Society Of Communication Arts, Columbus, Ohio
Award Of Merit, Chant Dances Poster, Client- Natalle Marrone & The Dance Cure
2000: Solo Exhibition, Dunlap Gallery, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio
1989-1999: 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th & 26th
Annual Faculty Exhibition, Coker College, Hartsville, South Carolina
1995: South Carolina Downtown Development, Best Sign Design Award
SPC Cooperative Credit Union
1995: Diamond Awards, San Antonio, Texas, International Credit Union Association
Client/Project: SPC Cooperative Credit Union- Annual Report
1995: Golden Mirror Awards, Boston, Massachusetts, National Credit Union Association. Client/Project: SPC Cooperative Credit Union- Corporate Identity
1990: Golden Oak Awards, Fresno, California, Advertising/Art Directors Association
Client/Project: Western Sun- Capabilities Brochure, Levi Zetner- Capabilities Brochure.
1989: Creativity 89, Art Directors Magazine, Los Angeles, California
Client/Project: Western Sun- Capabilities Brochure
1988: Golden Oak Awards, Fresno, California, Client/Project: D. Danz- Capabilities Brochure,
Q-102.7 Fm- Outdoor Board Campaign
1987: Golden Oak Awards, Fresno, California, Client/Project: Valley Decorating- Product Brochure Winner- Best Of Show, Print Category
1987: Golden Oak Awards, Fresno, California, Client/Project: HCA Cedar Vista Hospital- Ad Campaign, Financial Center Credit Union- Generic Brochure, Financial Center Credit Union- Annual Report, Financial Center Credit Union- Newspaper Ad
Professional Organizations and Conferences
2003-Present: Member, Columbus Society Of Communication Arts
Columbus Society Of Communication Arts
2003: Education Program Liaison, Columbus Society Of Communication Arts
Columbus Society Of Communication Arts
2002: Aiga Chicago Regional Education Conference, "Futurehistory"
Wolfgang Weingart Keynote Speaker
1992: Western Carolina University Alumni Exhibition And Symposium- Guest Speaker
1989: AIGA, The Core Of Understanding Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1989: Publication Design Summer Course For Professionals, Rhode Island School Of Design, Providence, Rhode Island
1994-Present: Member, Experimental Aircraft Association. Aircraft Builder- Gp-4
1984-Present: Member, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
1999-Present: Member, Trout Unlimited
