Kimberly Melhus Mitchell  

KMM 

Assistant Professor of Visual Communication
School of Communication, Room 37
928-523-2217

 

Research and teaching interests

As an educator, it is my ambition for students to pursue process and problem solving in design, but also to produce concepts and objects that unearth and reflect tendencies and directions within different societies. I want students to be passionate about what they create as well as being dedicated to the process of research and discovery of new creative concepts applicable to a client’s problem or needs. Presenting creative concepts is important in the classroom setting and I provide an atmosphere where the students feel comfortable doing that. As a designer and an educator, it is essential to provide the necessary instruments of communication that enables the students to connect their desire and needs through imagination to a marketplace or community. Through the many different mediums of design, I want my students to be able to communicate to a level only imagined. 

Courses offered

VC 101 Communication Design

VC 329 Typographics I
VC 330 Graphic Design I
VC 331 Typographics II
VC 333 Graphic Design III
VC 370 Publication Design 

Representative research and creative activity

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:

  • Melhus, Kimberly. “The Importance of Cross-discipline in an Undergraduate Graphic Design Curriculum” in Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal, Common Ground Publishing, tba.
  • Melhus, Kimberly. “Usability Study of the Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone” in Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal, Journal Volume 4, Issue 5, July 2010, Common Ground Publishing.
  • Melhus, Kimberly. “The Art of Graphic Design in a Globalized World” an article in NAU Global: A Publication of the Center of International Education, Spring 2010 p. 8
  • Melhus, Kimberly. “Pet Ownership and the Effect on Elderly Health” in Gerinotes Section on Geriatrics, American Physical Therapy Association, 14: 6, November 2007, pp. 7-9.
  • Melhus, Kimberly. “Design for Aging Eyes: An In-depth Look at Fast-Food Outdoor Menu Displays.” 2008.

Conferences:

  • “The Importance of Cross-discipline in an Undergraduate Graphic Design Curriculum” at the 5th Annual International Conference on Design Principles & Practices, Rome, February 2011. Paper presentation.
  • “Transitioning into the Virtual World” at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2011. Panel discussion with Paul Bruski, Iowa State, and Min Sun Lee, University of Montevello
  • “Usability Study of the Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone” at the 4th Annual International Conference on Design Principles & Practices, Chicago, Illinois, February 2010. Paper presentation.
  • “The Rose of Ames: A Designer’s Perspective. A Series of Case Studies Involving the Design & Communication Within the Rose of Ames” at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2010. Paper presentation.
  • “The Importance of Cross-Discipline in an Undergraduate Graphic Design Curriculum” at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2010. Paper presentation.
  • “The Importance of Cross Discipline in an Undergraduate Graphic Design Curriculum” at the University and College Designer’s Association (UCDA), Mobile, Alabama, May 2009. Paper presentation.
  • “Social Impact of Design” at Premiere Graphics, Phoenix, Arizona. Invited speaker for an afternoon “lunch and learn” through Premiere Graphics, a design firm in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • “Design for Aging Eyes: A Look at Fast-Food Outdoor Menu Displays” at the 3rd Annual International Conference of Design Principles & Practices, Berlin Germany, February 2009. Paper presentation.

Grants:

  • Irma B. Dobkins Universal Design Grant, Grant Receipent. Amount: 1,500

Links of interest

AIGA, The Professional Association for Design 
Society for Environmental Graphic Design 

Education

MFA, Graphic Design, Iowa State University, 2008
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Visual Communications, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2006
BFA, Graphic Design, Bradley University, 2005