Danny Rix
Designer/ Art Director/ Illustrator/ Educator
IN GENERAL
I’ve been a pretty big fan of gig posters for some time now. It started innocently enough but now has become an obsession. My personal collection includes more than 100 different gig posters from artists such as Shepard Fairey, Tara McPherson, Daniel Danger, Kevin Tong, Emek, Michael Michael Motorcycycle, Jermaine Rogers, Jay Ryan, Marq Spusta, Ken Taylor, Leia Bell, Joel Elrod and Jason Munn just to name a few. I have also started collecting vintage posters promoted by Bill Graham and produced by various artists.
I guess this ties into my interest in Street Art – It’s sort of a big thing right now so it’s hard to ignore the movement. Artists like Blu, Banksy, Space Invader, Swoon, Miss Van, Eine, Aakash Nihalani, Ericailcane, Evol, Sam3 and JR are just a few that have sparked an interest. The use of the environment as a canvas for social commentary is both exhilarating and refreshing.
AND FINALLY, as a former musician and overall music enthusiast, recording audio has always been a genuine interest to me, When I tire from the visual medium, its nice to satisfy my auditory addiction.
EXPERIENCE
ART DIRECTOR — Present [hawkeye]
Start Date – Monday October 14th. WOOHOO! I'M BACK!
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR — Present [Wade College]
Teach Classes as needed. (Or as my schedule will allow) Arts -1371 Typography, Arts 2373 - Graphic Design Portfolio I & II, Arts 2314 – Computer Illustration, Arts 2370 – Desktop Publishing, Arts 2313 – Digital Image Manipulation, Arts 2378–Digital Arts, Grph 2372 Art Direction, Grph 2374 – Advanced Design Methodologies and Grph 2376 – Small Media Strategies
GRAPHIC DESIGN CHAIRPERSON — 2010-2013 [Wade College]
• Responsible for various in-house graphic design needs.
• Responsible for defining course materials as well as implementing them.
• Create, develop and implement lesson plans that are current and relevant to todays graphic design field.
• Teach the fundamentals of graphic design through various classes such as: Software intensive courses including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
• Since 2010, I have been responsible for updating, revising and even reinventing established curriculum for the following classes: Arts -1371 Typography, Arts 2373 - Graphic Design Portfolio I & II, Arts 2314 – Computer Illustration, Arts 2370 – Desktop Publishing, Arts 2313 – Digital Image Manipulation, Arts 2378–Digital Arts, Grph 2372 Art Direction and Grph 2374 – Advanced Design Methodologies and Grph 2376 Small Media Strategies
• Mentor 3+ graduating students per trimester, providing meaningful feedback on the development of capstone portfolios.
• Oversee portfolio show and industry panel judges once per trimester wherein graduating seniors prove program competency.
• Teach Arts -1371 Typography, Arts 2373 - Graphic Design Portfolio I & II, Arts 2314 – Computer Illustration, Arts 2370 – Desktop Publishing, Arts 2313 – Digital Image Manipulation, Arts 2378–Digital Arts, Grph 2372 Art Direction, Grph 2374 – Advanced Design Methodologies and Grph 2376 – Small Media Strategies
ART DIRECTOR — 2009-2010 [hawkeye]
ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER — 2006-2009 [JRS Advertising]
EDUCATION
Masters of Fine Arts in Visual Communications, Texas A&M-Commerce — Spring 2014
Thesis topic: The Elusive African American In Graphic Design. [ in progress ]
This study will attempt to discover the root cause for the lack of African Americans in the field of graphic design and implement a course of action to promote their awareness of and interest in pursuing careers in the profession. Are social implications such as negative perceptions of the profession, racial ramifications, lack of existing role models and an overall unawareness to the profession to blame for this underrepresentation in the field as well as in education? The significance of this study will reinforce the need to be racially and culturally diverse in a career that is responsible for effectively communicating to such a varied audience.
Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in New Media, Texas A&M-Commerce — Fall 2005
PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
DSVC – Dallas Society of Visual Communications, 2010 – Present
AIGA – DFW Chapter, 2012 – Present
NBGSA – National Black Graduate Student Association
AREAS OF INTEREST
Visual communication, cultural & racial diversity in graphic design, print design, sustainable design, color theory, poster design, typography, motion graphics, information design, interaction design, wayfinding, design education, design methodologies, the creative process, 3d art and animation, printmaking and letterpress design.
RIGHTS
All images on this site are the work of Danny Rix, designer and illustrator based in Dallas, Texas. Images are for display purposes only. Contact me directly before using these images for any purpose.