faculty

Laura Franz she/her

Professor

Art & Design

Contact

508-999-9285

508-910-6977

keq`my?tl`rrc-dct

College of Visual & Performing Arts 204A

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Education

1997

Carnegie Mellon University

MDes

1991

Western Michigan University

BFA

Teaching

Graphic Design History
Introduction to the History of Art
Typography (print, web, screen, typeface design)
Digital Essentials

Teaching

Programs

Graphic Design BFA

Teaching

Courses

AXD 307: Hist & Context of GraphicDesgn

Open to all University Students Chronological survey of Graphic Design from pre-writing to present. This course examines graphic design within the context of technological, political, social, and economic developments ¿ and occasionally its relationship to other visual arts. Emphasis is on the story of Graphic Design ¿ how it changed over time, and some of the forces that played a part in that change.

AXD 307: Hist & Context of GraphicDesgn

FOU 101: Visual Arts Seminar

A forum to present contemporary themes in art and design. This course will focus on conceptual and formal themes in order to explore influences that define contemporary art and design. Students will develop a keener comprehension of issues in contemporary art, explore majors with in CVPA, and be introduced to the intellectual community of CVPA and the University. Students will practice writing, critical thinking, collaborative learning and social/civic activities. This course is designed for first semester art majors. Course is designed for first-year art and design students.

FOU 101: Visual Arts Seminar

HON 301: Honors Rsch Across Discip

Prerequisite for Honors APEX. The course leads students through project development and explores creative and critical thinking in the context of American culture, politics, economics and society; research ethics; time management; and public presentation. They will identify their project supervisor and submit their initial APEX proposal. This is scheduled as a blended course. In addition to meeting for one hour and forty minutes each week, you will be asked to complete weekly online assignments and provide peer feedback to other students. Students will earn three credits for completing this course.

Research

Research activities

"Expanding the First-Year Survey without Breaking First-Year Students" (with Dr. Anna Dempsey). Expanding Art History Discourse panel, SECAC Conference, Baltimore, MD, Fall 2022.
"Graphic Design History + Research + Student Agency." UCDA Design Education Summit. Johnson City, TN, Spring 2022.
“Using Categorical Analysis to Identify Underrepresentation in Graphic Design History” as part of "Hidden Histories: Gender in Design: Historiography and Methodology" -- one of a series of lectures organized by the Design History Society, London, UK, Spring 2022.
"Who Wore it Better: Augustus Prima Porta or Daniel J. Levy? Identity, Power, and Protection" as part of the LGBTQ+ lunch series sponsored by the Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality, UMassD, Spring 2021.
"Dangerous" a collaborative text sculpture installation (with Stacy Savage) as part of the exhibition "Intolerance as Violence" Hera Gallery, Wakefield, RI, Spring 2018. Juror: Ian Alden Russell Ph.D., Curator of David Winton Bell Gallery, Brown University.

Research

Research interests

Research & Writing & Student Agency in Graphic Design/Art History
Reframing the story of Graphic Design/Art History
(TL:DR) Redefining Reading: the history and mechanics of reading to better understand how and why people read.
Web Typography: traditional typographic practice and theories applied to web typography
Typography & the Body: Identity, Power, and Protection

Select publications

Laura Franz (2014).
Size Matters: Balancing Line Length and Font Size in Responsive Web Design
Smashing Magazine. Publisher: Smashing Media GmbH.
Laura Franz (2013).
Dear Web Font Providers
Smashing Magazine. Publisher: Smashing Media GmbH.
Laura Franz (2013).
Setting Weights and Styles With The @font-face Declaration
Smashing Magazine. Publisher: Smashing Media GmbH.

Biography

Inspired by the intersection of tradition and technology, Laura's research interests include how we can use theory from established media to inform our understanding of new media and contemporary messages. She writes, presents, and makes art related to typography, how and why people read, and art/design history.