{"id":2,"date":"2009-11-02T10:10:53","date_gmt":"2009-11-02T16:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/art.bradley.edu\/will\/wp\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-09-06T20:19:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T20:19:51","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/art.bradley.edu\/will\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"Curriculum Vitae"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GARY WILL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DESIGN EDUCATOR  |  GRAPHIC DESIGNER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  ACADEMIC PROFILE <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Graphic Design Professor and practicing designer with extensive higher-education teaching and mentoring experience in the United States and United Kingdom. Teaching is grounded in a creative-director approach to brief-based, process-driven curriculum, emphasizing strategic thinking, conceptual development, creative problem-solving, and effective visual communication. Areas of particular expertise include Brand Experience, Editorial Design, Information Design, Creative Strategy, Typography, and Visual Communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extensive professional experience across print and digital environments brings an international, industry-informed perspective to teaching, curriculum development, and student mentorship. Academic and professional practice is complemented by a sustained record of creative scholarship, exhibitions, publications, academic leadership, accreditation, university and community service, and collaborative design practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AREAS OF EXPERTISE <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graphic Design Education \u2022 Brand Experience \u2022 Editorial Design \u2022 Information Design \u2022 Creative Strategy \u2022 Typography \u2022 Visual Communication \u2022 Creative Process \u2022 Print & Digital Design <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor, Graphic Design (Tenured)<\/strong> | Bradley University, Department of Art and Design | 2016\u2013Present | Peoria, Illinois <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associate Professor, Graphic Design (Tenured)<\/strong> | Bradley University, Department of Art and Design | 2004\u20132016 | Peoria, Illinois <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assistant Professor, Graphic Design (Tenure Track)<\/strong> | Bradley University, Department of Art and Design | 2000\u20132004 | Peoria, Illinois <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Program Coordinator, Graphic Design<\/strong> | Doncaster College | 1996\u20132000 | Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lecturer II, Graphic Design<\/strong> | Doncaster College | 1989\u20131996 | Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEACHING EXPERIENCE <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical teaching load: 3\/3; 2\/3 during tenure as Department Chair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undergraduate <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 206 \u2013 Methods and Process \u2014 Creative thinking and visual problem solving through iterative development, multiple media, and professional presentation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 305 \u2013 Editorial Design \u2014 Multi-page publication systems for print and digital environments, emphasizing modular and scalable design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 306 \u2013 Brand Experience \u2014 Brand Identity and Brand Image. Audience-centered brand experiences, visual identity systems, packaging, point-of-purchase, promotion, and social\/nontraditional touchpoints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 316\/416 \u2013 Independent Study \u2014 Advanced independent study in studio arts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 405 \u2013 Information Design \u2014 Visual interpretation of quantitative, qualitative, and spatial information using standard and experimental methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 300 \u2013 Creative Strategy \/ Study Abroad \u2014 Strategy, creative exercises, and a team brief developed with leading London-based brand consultancies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 496 \u2013 BFA Design Senior Project \u2014 Research, problem definition, visual communication, process documentation, and historical\/theoretical contextualization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> CFA 300 \u2013 International Option Seminar \/ Global Scholars \u2014 Special-interest seminar supporting international study; topics included BBC radio comedy through the 1970s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 694 \u2013 Visual Communication and Design Studio \u2014 Advanced design development, problem solving, visualization, invention, creative concept development, and personal creative vision. Gary Will | Academic CV <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> ART 696 \u2013 Advanced Digital Design \u2014 Advanced applied software for web design, animation, rapid prototyping, interactive design, and experience design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Member of the Department of Art and Design Graduate Faculty; serves on graduate student thesis committees as requested. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTERNATIONAL & EXPERIENTIAL TEACHING <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Creative Strategy Study Abroad program in London, UK, combining classroom strategy with short-form creative exercises and a three-day team brief set by a London-based brand consultancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> International academic experience developed through teaching, professional practice, and repeated engagement with the UK design community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Experiential learning through multiple assignments involving collaborations between students and local and national clients. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See<\/em> blogsit<\/a>e<\/em> for examples of student projects and personal graphic design. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graphic Designer \/ Consult<\/a>ant<\/strong> \u2014 Independent professional practice serving nonprofit, small business, and corporate clients; multiple graphic design projects across print and digital environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creative Director<\/strong> | Norman Walker Northwest | Professional practice | Blackburn, Lancashire, UK <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Junior Art Director<\/strong> | CGL Advertising & Design | Professional practice | Preston, Lancashire, UK <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designer \/ Visualizer<\/strong> | Pergamon Press | Professional practice | Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Norman Walker Northwest \u2014 Coordinated and oversaw creative department. Directed promotional, editorial, direct-mail, exhibition, brand, television, and copywriting projects while collaborating with clients, account teams, printers, photographers, and production partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> CGL Advertising & Design \u2014 Delivered broad design responsibilities spanning advertising, promotional materials, corporate identity, storyboards, exhibition work, and production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Pergamon Press \u2014 Designed book jackets, journals, multi-page layouts, leaflets, promotional mailers, and exhibition displays for one of the world\u2019s leading educational publishers; developed extensive typographic and production expertise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXHIBITIONS <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2019 \u2014 Art and Design Faculty Group Exhibition, Hartmann Gallery, Bradley University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2015 \u2014 Solo Graphic Design Exhibition, Hartmann Gallery, Bradley University: theatre playbill artwork and collaborative design process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2015 \u2014 Artist in Residence Alumni Invitational Group Exhibition, Prairie Center of the Arts, Peoria, IL: \u201cHell without Fear is Like a Fairground,\u201d linocut relief print. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2014 \u2014 Artist in Residence Alumni Invitational Group Exhibition, Prairie Center of the Arts, Peoria, IL: four-part \u201cBarfly\u201d linocut relief series. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2012 \u2014 \u201cTHE SATER\u00c9 MAUW\u00c9,\u201d Prairie Center of the Arts, Peoria, IL: solo photographic exhibition of 24 visual narratives from the Brazilian Amazon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2009 \u2014 Paged, Staged, and Engaged, Hartmann Center Gallery, Bradley University: four linocut\/Photoshop prints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2003 \u2014 \u201cThe Eight Faces of Cecil,\u201d Gallup, University of New Mexico: solo graphic design exhibition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 1998 \u2014 \u201cRe-works,\u201d Graduate Exhibition, Beckett University Gallery, Leeds, UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PUBLICATIONS & ARTICLES <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2023 \u2014 \u201cThe artwork is perfect\u2026 but can I see a sheep or two next to the kissing lovers\u201d<\/em> \u2014 book in production; reflective review of more than ten years of theatre poster design and designer\/director collaboration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2015 \u2014 \u201cA Completely Unbiased Insight Into Being a Life Long Soccer Fan,\u201d Peoria Life Digital magazine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2013 \u2014 \u201cSaturday Morning Football and a Full English at Peoria\u2019s \u2018Little England\u2019,\u201d Peoria Life Digital magazine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2012 \u2014 \u201cBarfly Wisdom,\u201d Creative Quarterly, Issue 28, Professional Illustrator category. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2012 \u2014 THE SATER\u00c9 MAUW\u00c9 \u2013 A Visual Narrative, Blurb; companion publication to solo exhibition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2008 \u2014 Graphic Design Portfolio Strategies, co-author, Prentice Hall\/Pearson Education; sourcebook for graphic design students preparing portfolios for graduate school, grants, scholarships, employment, and fellowships. Gary Will | Academic CV <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AWARDS & HONORS <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2015 \u2014 Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching, Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts, Bradley University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2009 \u2014 Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award, Bradley University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2007 \u2014 Nominated for ArtsPartner of the Year Award, Peoria, IL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2004 \u2014 Parents\u2019 Association Certificate of Merit, Bradley University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2004 \u2014 MHAIV Mental Health Educator of the Year Award, Peoria, IL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2002 \u2014 Caterpillar Inc. New Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2002 \u2014 Department of Art and Design Chair\u2019s Award, Bradley University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SCHOLARSHIP, CREATIVE RESEARCH & ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2012 \u2014 Sabbatical and Artist in Residence, Prairie Centre of the Arts, Peoria, IL. Photographic field research in the Brazilian Amazon resulted in approximately 500 photographs and a 24-image solo exhibition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Guest speaker across Bradley University in Interactive Media, Family and Consumer Sciences, Art and Design, Theatre Arts, English, Communication\/Advertising, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Guest Graphic Design speaker in the community, including Dream Center Peoria, Riverside Community Church, Illinois Community College, Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley, Prairie Centre of the Arts, Goodwill Industries, and Peoria Ad Club. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Guest Brand speaker, St. Theresa Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACADEMIC & DEPARTMENTAL LEADERSHIP <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chair, Department of Art and Design | Bradley University | 2016\u20132024 | Peoria, Illinois <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Led a department serving 120+ majors, 70+ minors, 10 full-time faculty, and approximately 20 adjunct instructors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Navigated a complete and complex NASAD accreditation cycle and represented the department in college and university planning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Coordinated academic programs, curriculum execution, course scheduling, faculty assignments, and departmental programming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Led faculty evaluation, recruitment, reappointment, promotion and tenure processes; supervised part-time faculty and departmental staff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Oversaw departmental facilities, studios, labs, galleries, meeting spaces, equipment, safety, and accessibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Supported recruitment, advancement, alumni initiatives, external giving, and resource development in collaboration with university leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Fostered excellence in teaching, scholarship, creative production, professional practice, and university service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE & DEPARTMENT SERVICE <\/p>\n\n\n\n

University <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Program Prioritization Strategic Planning Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>NASAD Lead <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>North Central Accreditation Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>CFA representative, CATE IT Committee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>University Senate <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Chair, Senate Elections Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Center for Teaching Excellence and Learning (CTEL) <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Student Expo Judge \u2013 Research\/Creative Achievement <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Task Force \u2013 Post-Baccalaureate Planning <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>University Wayfinding\/Signage Task Force <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>CFA representative, Strategic Planning Task Force <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>AVP Communications & Marketing Search Committee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

College & Department <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Dean\u2019s Executive Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Awards & Recognition Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Technology Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Personnel Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Curriculum Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Faculty Enrollment Fellow. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Faculty Advisor, student chapter of AIGA. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Faculty Advisor, Students Green Electronics Committee. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>AAF Panel\/Judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Assorted faculty search committees. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Faculty Advisor (approximately 40 undergraduate students). <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Academic Majors and Minors Fair Representative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Graduate Faculty Committee (Graduate Coordinator 2024\u2013present). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Faculty Search Committee. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Department Tenure and Promotions Committee. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Department Representative, summer orientation. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Off-campus Portfolio Visit Days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Illinois Women Artists Project Committee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Dream Center Peoria Marketing Committee. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Consultant \/ Creative Director \u2013 Riverside Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Board Member \u2013 Prairie Center of the Arts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Consultant \u2013 Mental Health Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Consultant \u2013 Goodwill Industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Consultant \u2013 University of Illinois College of Medicine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Creative Director \u2013 Community Foundation of Central Illinois. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Consultant \u2013 RFI\/RetroTech recycling organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Peoria Park District \u2013 Soccer Coach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Board Director \u2013 Peoria Ad Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> iSTD Assessor \u2013 Kent State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Member \u2013 International Society of Typographic Designers (London, UK). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Member \u2013 American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Member \u2013 College Art Association. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Member \u2013 Society of Typographic Arts, Chicago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GRANTS, ENDOWMENTS & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2023 \u2014 $200,000 endowment secured for the Ceramics Studio in collaboration with the Development Office; Zaleski family endowment established annual support and naming of the studio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2023 \u2014 $6,000 donation secured for a new Art Collections space, supporting a state-of-the-art facility and collection inventory\/catalog update. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2020 \u2014 $6,000 funded alumni campaign for Letterpress and Book Arts equipment. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2019 \u2014 $3,500 funded ICAC grant; Co-Principal for Illinois Women Artists Symposium programming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2018 \u2014 $50,000 funded NEH Foundations Grant; Co-Principal for Illinois Women Artists Project research, database, and website development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2017 \u2014 $1,000 funded ICAC grant supporting Ken Kaminski Gallery exhibition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2016 \u2014 $6,100 funded Terra Foundation for American Art grant supporting the 2017 Midwest Women Artists Symposium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EDUCATION <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master of Arts \u2013 Graphic Arts<\/strong> | Leeds Metropolitan (Beckett) University, College of Art and Design | 1998 | Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post Graduate Certificate in Education<\/strong> | Huddersfield University, College of Teaching and Education | 1996 | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK <\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.A. Advertising Design<\/strong> | Southport College of Art & Design | 1979\u20131983 | Southport, Sefton, UK <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approved by Leeds Metropolitan University and Bradley University as a U.S. terminal degree. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL EXPERTISE <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graphic Design \u2022 Brand Experience \u2022 Editorial Design \u2022 Information Design \u2022 Creative Strategy \u2022 Typography \u2022 Visual Communication \u2022 Print & Digital Design \u2022 Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) \u2022 WordPress \u2022 Canvas \u2022 Sakai \u2022 Mural. Familiar with Figma, Firefly and Claude <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CERTIFICATIONS <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2026 \u2014 Bradley University: Data Security (Malware, Passwords, Phishing, Physical Security\/Unintended Disclosures). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> 2026 \u2014 Bradley University: Mandated Reporter; Mosaic Prevent Discrimination & Harassment: Supervisors; Mosaic Prevent Sexual Violence Together; Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 <\/strong>2021 \u2014 HubSpot Academy: Inbound Certified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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