CURRICULUM VITAE

 *Updated July 2026
NIKKI ARNELL
[email protected]  |  [email protected]
303.842.3039  |  www.nikkiarnell.com


EDUCATION 

DEGREES
Master of Fine Arts Graphic Design
Colorado State University; Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA
Bachelor of Arts Journalism and Studio Art
Indiana University; Bloomington, Indiana, USA

OTHER
  • UI Design Using Figma, Coursera  |  2024
  • Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner Badge, IBM  |  2020
  • Flipped Learning for Your Classroom, Adobe Education Exchange  |  2020
  • Introduction to Social Media Marketing Certificate, University of West Georgia  |  2016

​
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE 
*Instructor of Record  |  ∆ Curriculum Design  |  Hybrid/Online (COVID)

Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
  • 2025-Present: Professor of Graphic Design
  • 2016-2025: Associate Professor of Graphic Design
  • 2016: Tenured
  • 2010-2016: Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
    ​
>> Career Development / Self-Branding
  • GRFX-4503 Professional Practice for Design*∆ | Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2026
  • ART4432 Branding*∆ | Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017
  • ART489V Honors Senior Thesis: Building a Brand - Thesis Committee Advisor | Spring 2015
  • ART489V Honors Senior Thesis: Branding Self - Thesis Committee Advisor | Spring 2012
  • ART4432 Campaign Design (Branding curriculum)*∆ | Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014
>> Portfolio Studies
  • GRFX4803 Portfolio Capstone*∆ | Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023
  • ART 4493/ART 4491 Portfolio independent study courses*∆ | Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013,
    Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016,
    Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Fall 2019
>> History of Graphic Design
  • GRFX-3573 History of Graphic Design*∆ | Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025, Fall 2026
  • ARTH3573 History of Graphic Design*∆ | Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2022 
  • ARTH3573 Honors History of Graphic Design *∆ | Fall 2018, Fall 2020
  • ARTH4573 History of Graphic Design*∆ | Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014,
    Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018
  • ARTH4573 Honors History of Graphic Design*∆ | Spring 2011, Spring 2014, Fall 2024
  • ARTH430V Studies in Art History: History of Graphic Design independent study | Spring 2017
>> Advertising Art Direction / Marketing Strategy / Copywriting
  • GRFX-3603 Art Direction in Advertising*∆ | Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2025 
  • GRFX-3603 Advertising Design*∆ | Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020 
  • ART3443 Advertising Design*∆ | Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015,
    Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018
  • ART3443 Honors Advertising Design *∆ | Spring 2011, Spring 2015
>> UI/UX Design + Digital Prototyping + Motion Graphics
  • GRFX2803 Multi-Platform Design*∆ | Spring 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2026
  • GRFX-4614 Independent Study in GRFX: Studies in Digital Prototyping and Coding*∆ | Spring 2025
>> Introduction to Typography > Print + Digital Prototyping 
  • GRFX2303 Typography 1 *∆ | Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025, Fall 2026
>> Introduction to Typography > Print
  • GRFX2303 Typography and Layout *∆ | Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Fall 2022
  • GRFX2303 Honors Typography and Layout *∆ | Fall 2018, Fall 2023
  • ART2413 Typography *∆ | Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016,
    Fall 2017
  • ART2413 Honors Typography *∆ | Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015
>> Multi-Page Layout / Preparing Files for Press
  • ART2423 Print & Publication Design*∆ | Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016
>> Package and Label Design
  • GRFX3423 Package Design*∆ | Fall 2024, Fall 2026
  • ART3423 Package Design*∆ | Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017
  • ART3423 Honors Package Design *∆ | Fall 2014
>> Software Instruction (Adobe Creative Suite)
  • GRFX1413 Design Technology* | Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2026
>> Introductory 2-D Studio Class / Freshman First Year Experience
  • ART1013 Design I *∆ | Fall 2010 (2 sections), Spring 2011, Fall 2010, Spring 2012
>> Miscellaneous
  • GRFX4503 Graphic Design Internship Faculty Advisor | Spring 2022, Summer 2022
  • ART489V Honors Senior Thesis: Animation Storyboard - Thesis Committee Advisor | Spring 2012
    
Colorado State University; Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA
  • 2007 - 2009: Instructor of Record
  • >> ART255 Introduction to Graphic Design *∆ | Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009 
  • >> ART355/455 Advanced Typography *∆ | Fall 2008 

Westwood College; Denver, Colorado, USA
  • 2004 - 2007: Instructor of Record
  • >> GD100 Introduction to Graphic Design * | Spring 2005 
  • >> GD121 Digital Illustration * | Summer 2004, Fall 2004, Spring 2005 
  • >> GD280 Advanced Design Portfolio Review *∆ | Fall 2006, Winter 2006, Fall 2007 
  • >> GD306 History of Graphic Design and Applied Typography * | Spring 2005, Fall 2005 
  • >> GD311 Digital Production Techniques for Press *∆ | Summer 2005, Fall 2005, Winter 2006 

Student Achievements
  • Branded: Graphic Design Senior Show, 2020-2025
  • Multiple American Advertising Federation Student Addys awarded every year. 
  • More information upon request.


PUBLICATIONS

AUTHOR
  • “Cause and Effect: A Brief History of the Popularity of Sans Serif Typefaces,” Intercom, Typography Issue, Society for Technical Communication, March 2025. [STC closed before published]
  • “How to Create a Design System for Successful Information Visualization,” Intercom, Visual Communication Issue, Society for Technical Communication, September 2023.
  • “A Class Project That Engaged Students to Challenge a Canon of Graphic Design,” The International Journal of Design Education 17 (2): 77-94, 2023, Common Ground Publishing  |  doi:10.18848/2325-128X/CGP/v17i02/77-94
  • "Increasing Cultural Awareness for Effective Global Communication via Graphic Design Practice and Instruction,” The International Journal of Visual Design 13 (1): 27-40, 2019, Common Ground Publishing  |  doi:10.18848/2325-1581/CGP/v13i01/27-40
  • Section describing “The Beautiful Messy” and its place in post-postmodern culture of mass media. Advertising; Edition: 10; Author(s): Sandra Moriarty, Nancy Mitchell, William Wells; Pearson Education, Inc., 2015
  • “The Beautiful Messy: Handmade Elements in Post-postmodern Graphic Design,” The International Journal of Visual Design 6 (1): 27-52, 2013, Common Ground Publishing  |  doi:10.18848/2325-1581/CGP/v06i01/38762

REVIEWER > BOOKS
  • Reviewer, January 2026  |  Rebalancing the Canon: Women Graphic Designers Elizabeth Resnick (Ed.), Bloomsbury Visual Arts 
  • Reviewer, May 2020  |  Introduction to Multimodal Analysis, Second Edition by Per Ledin and
    David Machin, Bloomsbury Academic
  • Reviewer, Fall 2013  |  The Fundamentals of Product Design by Richard Morris, Fairchild Books

REVIEWER > ARTICLES
  • Reviewer, articles for The International Journal of Visual Design, Common Ground Publishing  | 
    2015, July 2023, October 2024, April 2025, March 2025, March 2026 
  • Reviewer, articles for The International Journal of Design Education, Common Ground Publishing  |  December 2023, December 2025
  • Reviewer, articles for The International Journal of Design in Society, Common Ground Publishing  2015, September 2024, April 2025, May 2026
  • Reviewer, article for The International Journal of Communication and Linguistic Studies, Common Ground Publishing  |  January 2025
  • Reviewer, article for The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society, Common Ground Publishing  |  July 2024
  • Reviewer, articles for International Journal of Design Management and Professional Practice, Common Ground Publishing  |  June 2023, November 2023
  • Reviewer, article for The Design Principles and Practices Journal Collection, Common Ground Publishing  |  June 2019
  • Reviewer, article for The International Journal of the Constructed Environment, Common Ground Publishing  |  January 2019



ACADEMIC CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
​
JURIED
  • Design Requires Judgment: Why Art-Based Graphic Design Education Still Matters in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, VisComm40, Yachats, Oregon, USA  |  June 2026
  • Adobe Aero and the Future of Augmented Reality in Visual Communications, VisComm39, Estes Park, Colorado, USA  |  June 2025
  • Bauhaus’s Walter Gropius vs. d.school’s David Kelley - A Comparative Analysis of Design Education Pioneers, 8th International Academic Conference on Research in Social Sciences, Humanities, Oxford, England, United Kingdom |  August 2024
  • The Power of Thirds: The Importance of Information Graphics to Explain the Bauhaus, VisComm38, Saratoga, Wyoming, USA  |  June 2024
  • XYZ - Understanding Generations to Improve Communication (revised), VisComm37, Mammoth Lakes, California, USA  |  June 2023
  • XYZ - Understanding Generations to Improve Communication, SECAC, Lexington, Kentucky, USA  | 
    October 2022
  • Rewriting the Canon: How a Timeline Project Revision in Design History Challenged Professor and Students to Engage in Change, UCDA Design Education Summit: Agency, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA  |  May 2022
  • Professional Practice For Graphic Design & Portfolio Capstone - Co-Requisites for Design Student Success, VisComm36, Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA  |  June 2022
  • Introduction to Mindfulness, VisComm35, Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA  |  June 2021
  • Professional Practice For Graphic Design & Portfolio Capstone - A Tale of Two Courses, Fifteenth International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, Monterrey, Mexico, Asynchronous Virtual Presentation  |   March 2021
  • Canceled due to COVID:
    Escape the Boring Study Guide, VisComm34, Cannon Beach, Oregon  |  June 2020
  • Canceled due to COVID:
    Professional Practice For Graphic Design & Portfolio Capstone - A Tale of Two Courses,     Fourteenth International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, New York, New York, USA  |  March 2020
  • The Jugend Magazine Project: The Evolution Of Jugend Magazine Covers From 1896 To 1940, In Relation To Germany’s History, Fourteenth International Conference on The Arts in Society, Lisbon, Portugal  |  June 2019
  • Panelist, One for the ‘Ages’: Understanding and Influencing Millennials in the Classroom, SECAC, Birmingham, Alabama, USA  |  October 2018
  • A Study of the Evolution of Jugend Covers (1896-1940) in Relation to Germany’s History, VisComm32, La Jolla, California, USA  |  June 2018
  • Global Design Thinking and How the Millennial Mindset is Changing the World, Eleventh Conference on Design Principles and Practices, Toronto, Canada  |  March 2017
  • Graphic Design Studies in Istanbul, VisComm30, Snowbird, Utah, USA  |  June 2016
  • Increasing Cultural Awareness for Effective Global Communication via Graphic Design Practice and Instruction, VisComm29, Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA  |  June 2015
  • Art Students Sell Academia: Students' Strategic Business Communication in the College of Art for the College of Art, Ninth International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  March 2015 
  • Art AND/OR Design, VisComm27, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA  |  June 2013
  • Design Fundamentals in the Global Environment, Seventh International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, Chiba, Japan  |  March 2013 
  • Graphic Design NOW: The Deconstruction of Deconstruction, VisComm26, Midway, Utah, USA  |  June 2012 
  • The Beautiful Messy: Handmade Elements in Post-postmodern Graphic Design, Sixth International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, Los Angeles, California, USA  |  January 2012 

​INVITED
  • Cultivating Mindfulness for Mental Health of Teachers and Students 90-Minute Workshop, AIGA Design Educators Community SHIFT{ed} Virtual Summit, Synchronous Virtual Presentation  |     August 2021 - LINK HERE
  • Increasing Cultural Awareness for Effective Global Communication via Graphic Design Practice and Instruction, Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) Conference, Memphis, Tennessee, USA  |  June 2016


GUEST SPEAKER

PROFESSIONAL
How to Create a Design System for Successful Information Visualization 
  • STC (Society for Technical Communication), synchronous webinar  |  October 2024
Reaching Boomers to Zoomers - the Call for Socially Responsible Brands
  • Northeast Arkansas AAF (American Advertising Federation), Jonesboro, Arkansas  |  August 2022
Guerrilla Marketing (updated each speaking engagement)
  • East Texas AAF, Tyler, Texas  |  January 2022
  • Amarillo AAF, Amarillo, Texas
  • Corpus Christi AAF, Corpus Christi, Texas - Synchronous Virtual Presentation  |  April 2021
  • AIGA-Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee  |  July 2018
  • Mobile Bay AAF, Mobile, Alabama  |  October 2017 
  • Biloxi AAF, Biloxi, Mississippi October  |  2017 
  • Abilene AAF, Abilene, Texas  |  January 2017
  • Oklahoma City AAF, Oklahoma City, OK  |  May 2015 
  • Victoria AAF, Victoria, Texas  |  April 2015 
  • Jackson AAF, Jackson, Mississippi  |  January 2015 
  • Fort Worth AAF, Fort Worth, Texas  |  June 2014
Global Design Thinking and How the Millennial Mindset is Changing the World
(updated each speaking engagement)  
  • Amarillo AAF, Amarillo, Texas - Synchronous Virtual Presentation  |  June 2020
  • AMA (American Marketing Association) Memphis Chapter, Memphis, Tennessee  |  December 2017
Increasing Cultural Awareness  
  • Pensacola AAF, Pensacola, Florida  |  June 2017 
XYZ: Targeting Generations 
  • Oklahoma City AAF, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma  |  June 2013 
  • Barcamp 2012, Jonesboro, Arkansas  |  September 2012 
Keep Your Creatives Creative (updated each speaking engagement)
  • Houston AAF, Houston, Texas - Synchronous Virtual Presentation  |  August 2020
  • Northeast Arkansas AAF, Jonesboro, Arkansas  |  September 2017
  • Rio-Grande Valley AAF, McAllen, Texas  |  August 2016
  • Amarillo AAF, Amarillo, Texas  |  February 2016
  • Little Rock AAF, Little Rock, Arkansas  |  November 2013
  • Shreveport-Bossier AAF, Shreveport, Louisiana  |  October 2013
Communicate Correctly with your Medium  
  • Amarillo AAF, Amarillo, Texas  |  July 2011 

STUDENTS
  • Web Design, Guest Speaker for New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico, USA - Asynchronous Virtual Presentation |  October 2025
  • The Power of Thirds: the Importance of Information Graphics to Explain the Bauhaus,
    Guest Speaker for East Texas A & M University, Commerce, Texas, USA - Asynchronous Virtual Presentation |  September 2024 
  • Guest Interviewee, Social Media Usage and Self-Branding for Artists, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA - Synchronous Virtual Presentation  |  April 2023
  • Guest Professional Interviewee, Lone Star College – Kingswood Campus, Kingwood, Texas, USA - Synchronous Virtual Presentation  |  September 2020
  • Introduction to InDesign, Guest Instructor for “Introduction to Graphic Design”, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA  |  April 2019, November 2019
  • The Confidence Strut: How to Showcase Yourself and Get the Job Workshop, Guest Speaker for
    A-State AIGA, Arkansas State University  |  April 2019; Synchronous Virtual Presentation April 2020
  • Social Media, Guest Speaker for Advanced Painting, Arkansas State University  |  April 2018
  • Graphic Design Do You Need an Accredited Degree to be a Graphic Designer with Nikki Arnell,    Guest Interviewee, Ben G. Kaiser (YouTube Channel, 120K subscribers)  |  March 2018   LINK HERE
  • Monograms Workshop, Instructor for Graphic Design Immersion, Arkansas State University  |  November 2018
  • Increasing Cultural Awareness, University of Memphis, Global Strategic Communication graduate level Public Relations course, Memphis, Tennessee, USA  |  February 2018      
  • Online Guest Artist: “10 + 1 Tips,” National University, La Jolla, California, USA  |  September 2012 
  • Guest Artist: “How to Get a Job,” Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA  |  March 2012 
  • Selling the Design: the Story of a Logo, Arkansas State University  |  Fall 2011 
  • The Next Steps (Portfolio Design and Getting a Job)  Seminar Development, Instructor, Arkansas State University  |  Fall 2010 
  • Preparing Files for Press  Seminar Development, Instructor, Arkansas State University  |  Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009 as part of upper-level curriculum
  • The Next Steps (Portfolio Design and Getting a Job)  Seminar Development, Instructor, Colorado State University  |  Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009 
  • Portfolio Review, Getting a Job, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, Colorado, USA  |  October 2009 
  • Graphic Design Overview Guest Speaker for “ART105 Issues and Practices in Art,” Colorado State University  |  Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009 
  • Graphic Design and Advertising, The Art Institute of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA  |  2006 


PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
  • Reviewer, AAF-NEA ADvantage, May 2025, May 2026. Reviewed portfolios with students.
  • Judge, AAF District ADDYs, East Texas AAF, Spring 2023.
  • Reviewer, AIGA-Nashville Virtual Portfolio Review, April 2021. Reviewed portfolios with students.
  • Organizer, 2021 AIGA-Memphis Regional Student Day, November 2020. Virtual to entire region, participating presenters from across the country. https://tinyurl.com/25xw6tw3
  • Designer, VisComm website rebuild and upkeep, 2022-present.
  • Creator/Interviewer, Hello Great Designers (formerly titled Conversations with Designers) YouTube series, 2020-21.
  • Reviewer, AIGA-Nashville Virtual Portfolio Review, May 2020. Reviewed portfolios and took part in online panel discussion with all participants. 
  • Canceled: Organizer, AIGA-Memphis 2020 Regional Portfolio Review, May 2020. 
  • Judge, AAF District ADDYs, Lexington (KY) AAF, Spring 2020
  • Invited Guest on TellItToNeil.com design educator podcast series. “Trust Yourself: Life and Career Do Work Out”, 2019.  https://tinyurl.com/y98fpo69
  • Organizer, 2019 Regional Portfolio Review, May 2019. Held at A-State, sponsored by AIGA-Memphis. 
  • Reviewer, 2019 UCDA (The University & College Designers Association) Design Education Summit Peer Review Panel, February 2019. Reviewed 25 abstracts to be accepted for conference.
  • Judge, AAF District ADDYs, Gulfport/Biloxi (Mississippi) AAF, Spring 2018
  • Judge, AAF District ADDYs, Pensacola (FL) AAF, Spring 2018
  • Judge, AAF District ADDYs, Shreveport-Bossier (LA) AAF, Spring 2015
  • Organizer, AIGA-Memphis Student Day, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. Students invited from region (Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) to tour major shops in Memphis. Many years also included Q&A sessions with professionals. 
  • Education Director and Board Member, AIGA Memphis, 2013-2022. Organized multiple Student Days, 
   inviting students from schools throughout areas in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri.
  • Faculty Advisor, A-State AIGA, 2012-2022. Organized ongoing monthly Guest Speaker at A-State. Supervised student-run Southern Student Graphic Design Show, competitive juried show for graphic design students in Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
  • American Advertising Federation Northeast Arkansas AAF-NEA, Education Board, 2010-2013


ACADEMIC SERVICE

UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE WORK
  • Elected Committee Chairperson, Undergraduate Graduation and Academic Credit Appeals Committee, Arkansas State University, September 2018-present 
  • Voting Member, Undergraduate Graduation and Academic Credit Appeals Committee, Arkansas State University, 2016-2018. 
  • Secretary/Voting Member, Employee Benefits Committee, Arkansas State University, 2021-2023. 
  • Proxy, Undergraduate Graduation and Academic Credit Appeals Committee, Arkansas State University, December 2014-May 2015. 

COLLEGE COMMITTEE WORK
*CLAC (College of Liberal Arts & Communication) at Arkansas State University unless noted otherwise
  • Member, College of Liberal Arts & Communication - Promotion, Recruitment, Tenure Committee,
    2022-2024

​DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE WORK
*Dept. of Art + Design in CLAC at Arkansas State University unless noted otherwise
  • Co-Chairperson, Assessment, 2023-present
  • Member, Promotion, Recruitment, Tenure Committee, 2016-present
    • Chairperson, Promotion, Recruitment, Tenure Committee, 2022-2024
  • Chairperson, Sole Member, Admissions & Credits Committee, 2016-present
  • Member, Foundations Committee, Spring 2024-present
  • Member, 3D Shop Technician/Instructor Search Committee, Summer 2026
  • Chair, Art History Professor Search Committee, Fall 2025
  • Member, Art History Professor Search Committee, Spring 2025
  • Member, Visiting Art History Professor Search Committee, Fall 2024
  • Member, Printmaking Professor Search Committee, Spring 2024
  • Member, Painting Professor Search Committee, Spring 2023
  • Member, Recruitment Committee, 2020-2023
  • Co-Chairperson, Member, Scholarship Committee, 2017-2022
    • Chairperson, Member, Scholarship Committee, 2011-2016
  • Member, Ceramics Instructor Search Committee, Spring 2022
  • Member, Art Education Student Screening Committee, 2017-2022
  • Co-Chairperson, Member, Graphic Design Professor Search Committee, 2014
  • Member, Steering Committee, 2016-2017
  • Member, Budget Committee, 2014-2016
  • Member, Curriculum Committee, 2010-2014
  • Proxy, Admissions Appeals Committee, May 2014
  • Member, Art Education Professor Search Committee, 2011

OTHER ACADEMIC SERVICE
*Highlights only. A complete list may be obtained.
  • External Reviewer for Promotion (to full Professor) candidate, Dept. of Art & Design,
    Texas A&M University, June 2026 
  • Judge, Create@State Poster Competition, Arkansas State University, Spring 2026
  • Advising Graphic Design majors, Dept. of Art + Design, Arkansas State University, 2010-2025
  • Participant, Art Immersion Recruitment Events, Arkansas State University, 2021-present
  • Department of Art + Design Handbook Redesign, Dept. of Art + Design, Arkansas State University, 2022-2024
  • External Reviewer for Tenure/Promotion candidate, Dept. of Art, New Mexico State University,
    July 2022
  • Interviewee, Design Dedux podcast, July 2022
  • Arkansas Young Artist Association Guest Judge; Online Fall 2022, Spring 2021; 2012, in person -
    Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Introduction to Adobe Spark: Post, Video, and Page, Instructor for Faculty Development, Arkansas State University, July 2019
  • Monogram Workshop, Instructor for ES-TEEM-ED [STEAM] ART Professional Development for regional primary and secondary art educators continuing education credits, Arkansas State University, June 2018
  • Senior Portfolio Reviews, Invited Panel, Colorado State University, 2007-10, 2014
  • Center for Digital Initiatives Design Consultant, Arkansas State University, 2010-12 
  • Young at Art IX Exhibition Guest Judge, Jonesboro, Arkansas, April 2011 
  • Lifeline2Art, donations of E and One, Arkansas State University, Spring 2011 
  • Arkansas Education Television Network Art School recruiting, Little Rock, Arkansas, December 2011 
  • Coordinated job start of students with “Blues Where You Least Expect It” radio show on NPR,
    February 2011
  • Honors Luncheon collateral design, Arkansas State University, Spring 2011 
  • Center for Digital Initiatives 1-week Virtual Environment instruction, Arkansas State University,
    Summer 2011
  • 1-Night Stop-Motion Event Gallery Exhibition of Student Work Co-organizer, Arkansas State University, December 2010 
  • Learn. Do. See. MORE Program Development, Arkansas State University, 2010-2012 
  • Art Dept. Computer Lab, Co-Manager, Colorado State University, 2008-9 
  • Ad Infinitum Student-Run Advertising Agency, Founder, Faculty Advisor, Colorado State University, 2006-10 

AWARDS
  • ADDY, Honorable Mention, Chapter, Public Service : Sales & Marketing : Brand Elements, Mindful Movement Logo, 2025
  • ADDY, Gold, Chapter, Public Service : Sales & Marketing : Brand Elements, BikeWell Logo, 2024.
  • Honorable Mention, District, 2024
  • ADDY, Silver, Chapter, Elements of Advertising : Logo Design, Portfolio Review 2019 Logo, 2020
  • ADDY, Bronze, Chapter, Out-Of-Home & Ambient Media : Events, BRANDED: Graphic Design Senior Show Collateral, 2020
  • TENN Show, 1st Place Editorial/Book, “The American Dream: Choose-Your-Own-Adventure,” 2014
  • College of Fine Arts Award for Outstanding Teacher, A-State, 2014
  • Honors Professor of the Year, Arkansas State University, Nomination 2014
  • Middle East Studies Grant co-recipient, $6000.  Awarded by the Saudi Arabian government with Arkansas State University for “Design Biennial and Graphic Design Studies in Istanbul”, 2014 
  • Lane/Deutsch Faculty Development, $520 awarded for research, 2013
  • ADDY, Bronze, District, Advertising Industry Self-Promotion, “NEA 4th Annual Addy Awards”
    collateral, 2012.
  • College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Teaching, Colorado State University, nomination Fall 2009 
  • Outstanding Faculty Member, Westwood College, January 2005 
  • Cause-Marketing HALO Awards, Honorable Mention, 1999 - Denver Art Museum Toulouse-Lautrec Exhibit campaign 
  • Denver Advertising Federation, Bronze, 1998 - Jonathon Bond Guest Speaker Mailer, DAF 
 


EXHIBITION RECORD

JURIED EXHIBITIONS­­­
  • Balance Due #1 and Balance Due #1, The Divorce online exhibition, Part Crowd Art Gallery, Toronto, Canada, February 2024
  • I Love You from Cooper-Young, iMotif Photographic Exhibition, Sohn Fine Art Gallery, Lenox, Massachusetts, USA, January-March 2017
  • To The Point and Mandala: Dark, Order and Chaos Juried Exhibition, Fred Parker Giles Gallery, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky, USA, January-February 2017
  • The America Dream: A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Novel, 3rd Annual Juried Artists' Book Exhibition, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Ft. Worth, Texas, USA, December 2015
  • The Scarlet Letter, Telling Stories Tenth Annual Juried Exhibition, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, Pennsylvania, USA, May-June 2015
  • Shift, Trash Talk, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, New York USA, April 2013
  • To the Point, UnHinged, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition Galleries, Brooklyn, New York, September 2013
  • Di-verse, White, Black & Shades of Gray, South Shore Art Center, Cohasset, Massachusetts, USA, March-May 2012
  • Di-verse and Between the Lines, Southeastern College Arts Conference 2011: Text and Texture, SCAD Gutstein Gallery, Savannah, Georgia, USA, November 2011
  • Balance Due, Words & Numbers, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA, March-April 2011
  • i-DENTITY, Head First: A Call for Works Featuring the Human Head, Manifest Creative Research Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, September-October 2010 
  • sheD, Translations: Art Inspired by the Written Word, Victoria College Fine Arts Gallery, Victoria, Texas, USA, October 2010 
  • [post]Modern book cover and Simple Sugar identity system, Art Directors Club of Denver 2009 Student Show, The Rotunda, Denver, Colorado, USA, November 2009 
  • Plead the First, Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition - Graphic Responses, Glassbox Gallery, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA and Online, Fall 2009 
  • by Hand and Enjoy the Silence posters, Construct photograph, Art Directors Club of Denver 2008 Student Show, The Tivoli, Denver, Colorado, USA, November 2008 
  • i-DENTITY, Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA, October 2007 
  • sheD, WOW (Wide Open Whatever), Core Gallery, Denver, Colorado, USA, Spring 2008 
  • ‘Isms, 2007 MFA Show, Curfman Gallery, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA, May 2007 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS   
*each of the following pieces were part of an invited exhibition
  • Faculty Biennial Show (multiple pieces), Bradbury Art Museum, State University, Arkansas, Fall 2019 
  • Faculty Biennial Show (multiple pieces), Bradbury Art Museum, State University, Arkansas, Fall 2017 
  • Faculty Biennial Show (multiple pieces), Bradbury Art Museum, State University, Arkansas, Fall 2015 
  • Faculty Biennial Show (multiple pieces), Bradbury Art Museum, State University, Arkansas, Fall 2013 
  • Faculty Biennial Show (multiple pieces), Bradbury Art Museum, State University, Arkansas, Fall 2011
  • FUNdamentalist Paper Dolls, MFA Thesis 2010 Exhibition, Colorado State University Art Museum,
    Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA, Spring 2010 
  • ‘Isms, Accidental Vestments, First National Bank Gallery, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA, Spring 2008 
  • The New Doubt, Accidental Vestments, First National Bank Gallery, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA,
    Spring 2009 
  • Marshmallow for Magritte, Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA,
    May 2008 
  • The Love Song of  J. Alfred Prufrock, Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA, May 2007 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS   
*each of the following had multiple pieces by Arnell exhibited
  • Chimera (with Joe Ford), Bradbury Gallery, Oct 16 – Nov 12 2014
  • MASS: Commandments of a New Graphic Design, The Art Lab, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA,
    October 2009 
  • e(a)ffect, Mini-Gallery, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA, December 2009 
  • Lyric Studies, Mini-Gallery, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA, December 2009 
  • MASS: Commandments of a New Graphic Design, Mini-Gallery, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA,
    August 2008 


OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

​2024 - present
  • Designer Freelance, Words & Afterwords, Hardy, Arkansas. Logo redesign, rebranding consultation for refurbished coffeeshop and community gathering space.
  • Designer Freelance, Chevalier, Denver, Colorado. Logo design, branding consultation, package design, web consultation for new equine cosmetics line.
  • Designer Freelance, CollaborateOS, Oregon. Logo design and branding consultation for new consultation business.
  • Designer Freelance, Savvy Questing, Salt Lake City, Utah. Logo design and branding consultation for company specializing in self-realization and travel.
  • Designer Freelance, Word Play Café, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Logo design for community group.
  • Designer Freelance, Mindful Movement, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Logo design for community yoga classes at Bradbury Art Museum. 
2020 - 2023
  • Designer Freelance, BikeWell, Rogers, Arkansas. Logo design and branding consultation for new 501C3 to provide bikes to young women in multiple African countries.
  • Designer Freelance, SayAsana Sanskrit Flashcards, Memphis, Tennessee. Logo design. Creation and file prep for 67 double-sided flashcards professionally printed and packaged. 
  • Designer Freelance, WelcomeOm Etsy Shop, Memphis, Tennessee. Logo redesign.
    Multiple yoga-themed designs available for download, including posters, plus hand-rendered quotations for stickers and other merchandise.
2017 - 2019
  • Designer Freelance, VHEEP, LLC, Denver, Colorado. Logo re-design and branding consultation.
  • Designer Freelance, Friends For Life Corp., Memphis, Tennessee. Ongoing work for non-profit organization, including multiple logo designs and visual guidelines, posters for events, collateral, and web design.
2015 - 2016
  • Designer Freelance, Christina Ross, Architect, Memphis, Tennessee. Logo re-design for existing company. Template created for use on CAD and presentation of architectural plans to clients.
  • Designer Freelance, Star Control Services, mid-south region based in Memphis, Tennessee. Business card design and pre-press preparation for industrial machinery and equipment merchant wholesaler and inspector.
  • Designer Freelance, RoHa, Memphis, Tennessee. Logo and collateral designed for architect. 
jun 2012 - 2014
  • Designer Freelance, Prosthetic Illusions, Littleton, Colorado. Logo re-design for existing company, including all visual guidelines. Collateral material development, including brochure and business card; banner designs and pre-press execution; consultation with web design company.
  • Designer Freelance, eighty30: a better breast prosthesis for Prosthetic Illusions. Logo and branding for new product line of prosthetics. Visual guidelines, brochure, and banner designs.
  • Designer Freelance, Psionic Audio, Memphis, Tennessee. Client consultation. Logo adjustments for Psionic Audio logo. Consultation of amplifier and guitar pedal logo work, including ideas for mod18 and Icon amps.
  • Designer Freelance, Bendi Baby, Baby and Tot yoga mat sleeves design and pre-press execution; postcard design; collateral, including letterhead and business card designs.
jun 2010 - 2012
  • Designer Freelance, Bendi Baby, Reydell, Arkansas. Logo design, consultation, and developed
    visual guidelines.
  • Art Director Freelance, Kudzu’s Bar & Grill, Memphis, Tennessee.  Client acquisition, logo and brand re-developed, and ongoing consultation.
  • Designer Freelance, Arkansas Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS), Jonesboro, Arkansas. Logo design, consultation, and developed visual guidelines.
  • Designer Freelance, Center for Community Engagement (CCE), Jonesboro, Arkansas. Logo design, consultation, and developed visual guidelines.
  • Art Director Freelance, Yummy Beer with Hops & Stuff, Chico, California.  Label design series for special event: Norcal IPA, 60 Minute IPA, Nut Brown Ale, Chocolate Lab Stout, Wee Bit Scotch Ale, and Wedding Celebration Ale.
  • Designer Freelance, Arkansas Biosciences Outreach, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Logo design, consultation, and developed visual guidelines.
  • Designer Freelance, Emily’s Critter Sitting, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Logo design.
  • Art Director/Designer Freelance, Downtown Jonesboro Association, Capital Funding Campaign. Branding consultant and direct mail development.   
  • Art Director/Designer Freelance, Simple Sugar, Denver, Colorado. Continued consultation and design, including pitch to Whole Foods.
  • Art Director/Designer Freelance, American Advertising Federation Northeast Arkansas. All campaign material for Regional Addy Awards 4th Annual Red Carpet Gala.  
  • Designer Freelance, Unique Creations, Eloy, Arizona. Identity system.
  • Designer Freelance, Green Planet Productions, Denver, Colorado. Client acquisition and logo design.
  • Designer Freelance, Center for Digital Initiatives (CDI), Jonesboro, Arkansas. Logo design, consultation, and developed visual guidelines. Also logo development for Strike 2 Quit game.
jan 2007 - jun 2010
  • Art Director/Designer Freelance, Colorado State University Hatton Gallery, Ft. Collins, Colorado.  Collateral for multiple exhibitions. 
  • Art Director/Designer Freelance, Colorado State University College of Fine Arts, Ft. Collins, Colorado. Catalog design for 16th CIIPE (Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition). 
  • Art Director/Designer Freelance, Simple Sugar, Denver, Colorado. Logo design. Further visual identity development, including collateral design and Flash page. 
aug 2004 - oct 2006
  • Art Director, The Integer Group, Lakewood, Colorado. Brand development, print design for
    Procter & Gamble fabric care, including Tide, Tide HE, and Febreze. Campaign and store development for Safeway point-of-sale campaigns.
mar 2004 - aug 2004
  • Art Director Freelance, Karsh & Hagan, Denver, Colorado. Adelphia Cable, Globus, Cosmos, Monograms, Colorado Lottery, McDonalds, Budget Truck Rental (pitch), and Denver Post/
    Rocky Mountain News. 
  • Designer Freelance, The Creative Group, Lakewood, Colorado. Travelers Express MoneyGram
    and Nautilus. 
  • Concept Director Freelance, The Winter Group, Aurora, Colorado. Multiple education accounts. 
dec 2002 - mar 2004
  • Designer/Lead Production Artist, Sadler & Dorchester Marketing & Advertising, Denver, Colorado. 
    Redesign of Comcast cable national English welcome kit. Expanded into premier Bilingual Hispanic welcome kit. Work for Bresnan and Adelphia Cable. 
dec 2001 - dec 2002
  • Designer Freelance, San Diego County, California. Design and production of print advertisements, direct mail, POS, and collateral for Pacific Track Time, Aprilia-Ducati of  Oceanside, La Jolla Golf  Co., Lisa Peirce Photographic Arts, Warrior Quest West Coast, Hardwick & Hardwick Advertising, and Synergy Printing.   
dec 1998 - nov 2001
  • Art Director, The Integer Group, Lakewood, Colorado.  Coors regional and national promotions. Full POS, print, and radio campaigns for on- and off-premise accounts.  Structural design for Coors “The Frost Brewery” in Coors Amphitheater, California and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame for Invesco Field, Denver. Coca-Cola regional POS. Denver Art Museum – television and radio commercials, print, outdoor, and promotional material. Direct mail packages and trade ad for Polk/Equifax. 
jul 1997 - mar 1998
  • Art Director, Henry Gill Advertising, Denver, Colorado. University of Phoenix print ads, collateral, and television campaign, Clarus PR, Elitch Gardens, Paramount Pictures, Dairy Queen, Key Bank, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and in-house promotional material. 
  • Designer Freelance, America Online. Mass mailing package design of CD. 
 
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
​
• Member, AAF (American Advertising Federation), 2025-present.
• Follower, AIGA (the Professional Association for Design) Design Educators online groups, 2023-present.
• Member, AIGA (the Professional Association for Design) Memphis Chapter, 2013-2022.
         • Education Director 2014-2022;  Education Co-Director 2013-1014.
 • Member, SECAC (Southeast College Art Conference), 2011-2013, 2018-2022.
 • Board Member, AAF-NEA (American Advertising Federation Northeast Arkansas), 2010-2013
 • Member, CAA (College Art Association), 2009-2011
 • Education and Outreach Chairperson, Member, ADCD (Art Directors Club of Denver), 2008-2010
 • Member, NAEA (National Art Education Association), 2008-2009
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