I think visual communication design is a far superior term to graphic design to represent the remarkably broad nature of what designers do. Working (or teaching) in the field of design involves many different skills more so now than ever before, and the value of a liberal education and proficiency in the ability to communicate verbally and in written form can’t be overemphasized.

Growth of the field has created opportunities outside what might have historically been considered the typical realm of the graphic designer. People trained as designers find work doing a variety of different things such as: corporate communications, digital design, design planning, environmental design, exhibit design, identity design, illustration, information design, multimedia design, magazine design, television graphics, type design, among others.

Here at Kent there is a great opportunity to gain experience in many of these areas through course offerings within the school and through collaboration with other academic units such as The School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

In teaching, I hope to encourage students to discover how their own individual aptitudes may be developed and ultimately be used professionally in the field of visual communication design.

Steve Timbrook is an Associate Professor in Visual Communication Design at Kent State University. He teaches courses in design at all levels. He is a member of the graduate faculty, and has served for seven years as a resident faculty member for the Kent / Blossom and KSUCDA Graphic Design Workshops.

Steve has been involved in the design, consultation and printing of freelance work for clients such as: Special Olympics World Games, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Alside Corporation, Christopher Columbus Quincentennial, United Cerebral Palsy and Services for the Handicapped, Running Down M.S., Glass City Marathon, Black Swamp Arts Festival, and Akron Zoological Park.

Steve Timbrook is a member of the AIGA.