Graphic design faculty present at San Diego conference

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology graphic design faculty presented at the 56th Annual Conference of the International Visual Literacy Association, held recently at The Center for Visual Literacies at San Diego State University.

Brian A. Flynn and David M. Moyer, assistant professors of graphic design, delivered “Visual Literacy II: Understanding Visual Content in Art and Graphic Design” in line with the conference’s theme: “Illuminating Perspectives Through Critical Visual Literacy.”

Flynn and Moyer’s presentation examined the problems and solutions encountered in the first semester of a new Penn College course – Visual Literacy II (ART 307). Their talk also featured student analysis of art and graphic design images.

“The conference provided us with the opportunity to present a paper on the development of a new visual literacy course in the graphic design curriculum at Penn College, as well as attend relevant paper presentations in the field,” Moyer said.

The faculty also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with 2021 Penn College graphic design and studio arts graduate Sarah E. DeLaurentis, formerly of Drums, who is employed by Psyonix, a San Diego video game developer that is part of Epic Games.

The IVLA event encouraged attendees to “delve into the realm of personal and collective meaning-making, agentive practice and the transformation of sociopolitical realities.” The conference explores the impact that visual representations have on society and how, through critical visual literacy, individuals can “shed light on the ways in which images, symbols and narratives shape our understanding of the world.”

The IVLA is an international community of professionals from many disciplines who are promoting an understanding of visual culture, creating visual works and sustaining the study of visual literacy. The organization began in 1969.

Flynn received his Master of Fine Arts from Indiana State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbus College of Art & Design.

Moyer earned a Master of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Delaware.

For more information on Penn College’s Bachelor of Science degree in graphic design and Associate of Applied Science in advertising art, contact the School of Business, Arts & Sciences at 570-327-4520.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.