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Michelle Bowers

faculty

Michelle Bowers

Professor / Co-Chairperson

Design

Contact

508-999-8558

508-910-6977

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College of Visual & Performing Arts 310A

Education

2004Cranbrook Academy of Art
1996University of ArizonaMFA
1990Grand Valley State UniversityBFA

Teaching

  • Typography
  • Graphic Design
  • Professional Practice
  • Community Engagement

Teaching

Programs

Teaching

Courses

Pragmatic business aspects, skills needed for a career in design. Students create self-promotional materials and portfolios; write resumes, proposals, contracts and correspondence; and improve presentation, interview and job search skills. The course includes production practices, marketing methodologies, and professional etiquette and ethics; field trips to printers/vendors and design studios; and presentations from visiting professionals.

Fundamental principles of visual language, including formal, technical and conceptual aspects of image making in two-dimensions. Focus is placed on hand skills, observation, and implementation through a variety of materials, processes, and methodologies. Students will develop a visual and verbal language for analyzing, organizing, shaping, and communicating two-dimensional form and meaning. Course is designed for first-year art and design students.

Michelle Bowers is an interdisciplinary designer, artist and educator, with a background in design from Cranbrook Academy of Art and The University of Arizona. Currently a professor at The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, she has also conducted workshops and courses across the US, including at renowned institutions such as RISD and SAIC.

Michelle's expertise lies in blending handmade and digital processes, particularly in lettering and collage work. Through her unique approach, she merges human narratives and graphic elements, to construct intricate and symbolic imagery.

Professionally, she collaborates with arts, academic, and non-profit organizations, producing impactful campaigns and publications. Her work has been featured in numerous national and international exhibitions and has been recognized by the TDC (Type Directors Club), STA (Society of Typographic Arts,), PRINT Magazine, Adobe, AIGA (The Professional Association for Design), SOTA (Society of Typographic Aficionados), UDA (United Designs Alliance) and the UCDA (Univ. & College Designers Assoc.). Most notably her work is published in Typography 41: World’s Best Typography, STA 100, Typo/graphic Posters, Type Campus: Fight for Kindness, Typism Book 3 and Graphic Design: The New Basics.

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