John Brett Buchanan

Emeritus Professor

My teaching philosophy of design still remains the same even though I am now retired. In teaching I always tried to bring the practical to the theoretical in my classes and especially in Glyphix, the student design studio. Although some former students might find it incredulous, I actually became much more of a student advocate and was more nurturing in my latter years than in those beginning years of teaching. I am still in contact with many alums and call quite a few of them good friends.

Professor Buchanan retired after 29 years of service and was awarded emeritus professor status by the KSU Board of Trustees. He holds a BFA from the University of Southern California and an MA from Kent State University. Although he had taught nearly every course within the design program, his primary responsibilities were coordinating the VCD internship program, serving as creative director of Glyphix and coordinating the Kent + Blossom and KSUCDA summer workshops.

While a professor he was a member and served as an officer or education liaison in several professional design organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Cleveland Society of Communication Arts, the Society of Typographic Arts, the College Art Association, and the American Center for Design among others. He was awarded emeritus status membership in the University & College Designers Association and is on the board of directors of the UCDA Foundation. His association with UCDA dates back to 1974 and it is through this organization that he has developed many life-long friends and colleagues. He was awarded the UCDA Gold Award in 2004, UCDA’s highest honor.

He received more than 50 local, regional, national and international design competition awards including AIGA, UCDA, the One Show, Creativity, Addies, etc. He has also been published in Communication Arts, Art Direction, Studio, Print, Novuum Grebrausgraphik, and Idea, among others. His work has also been reproduced in numerous design competition annuals and several books.

He retired to a warmer climate and does not miss Ohio winters at all.