J. Blake Johnson
Assistant Professor at Saginaw Valley State University Department of Art/Graphic Design
J. Blake Johnson is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Saginaw Valley State University.
Professor Johnson holds a BFA from The Art Center College of Design and MFA from The University of Idaho. He has 16+ years professional experience in corporate and freelance settings.
Prior to teaching design he worked for a number of design firms on the West Coast. Clients included Nike, Sony, NBC, X-BOX, Microsoft, Adidas and Columbia Sportswear, as well as hospitals and universities in the Pacific Northwest.
In 2006 he began Graphic User Interface design for Pillar Data Systems (a division of the Oracle Corporation) and continues to contract with Pillar. Professor Johnson also continues to practice graphic design, allowing such varied projects as sports mascot design to stage performance promotion material and costuming.
Professor Johnson currently teaches a broad range of classes such as: Digital Imaging, Typography, Packaging, Graphic Design History, Web Design, Portfolio Design, and Graphic User Interface Design.
SPECIALTIES
GUI - Graphic User Interface Design
Print Media Digital Imaging - Vector & Pixel
Fine Art - Sculpture
Typography
Environmental graphics, signage and wayfinding
Packaging Branding & Identity
Board Graphics
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
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Associate Degree
1993, Arts and Sciences, Honors Graduate TEACHING
Saginaw Valley State University
August 2007 - present
Saginaw, MI University of Idaho
August 2004 - 2007
Moscow, ID
PROFESSIONAL
Pillar Data Systems
Denver, Colorado,
Graphic User Interface Designer
June 2006 - present IDL Merchandising Solutions
Portland, Oregon,
Senior Graphic Designer
April 2002 - August 2004 Anderson Krygier Inc.
Portland, Oregon,
Designer
March 2001 - March 2002 Freelance Designer
Designer
Portland, Oregon, November 2000 - March 2001Spectra 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
Rexburg, Idaho,
Graphic Designer
September 1991 - April 1993