Karen Zimmermann

Karen Zimmermann is the Associate Director of the School of Art and a professor in the Illustration, Design & Animation (IDA) program. She is also the director of the Book Arts & Letterpress Lab. She has taught Typography, Information Graphics, Motion Graphics, Design History, Design, Culture and Language, Design Studios, Visual Narratives, and Letterpress and the Multiple. Courses explore technique and practice as well as theoretical, historical, and critical issues. Karen has received numerous grants and awards for her design and artwork, including a School of Art Professional Development Grant, an Arizona Project Grant by the Arizona Commission of the Arts, the UA Deans Fund for Excellence, and a UA Faculty Fellowship. She was a 2020 UA Academic Leadership Institute recipient.

Her writing has been published in “The Education of a Graphic Designer,” “The Education of an E Designer,” “The Education of a Motion Designer,” JAB (Journal of Artists’ Books), “Design Education in Progress: Methodology and Process,” American Institute of Graphic Arts, Adobe Magazine, FATE, SIGGRAPH, and Zed.

Selected design clients include The Center for Creative Photography, The University of Arizona, Fort Lowell Historic Board, and Tinfish Press. Her art practice examines print and book production and visual communication.

She has been on the boards and planning committees to organize several conferences, panels, and events, including and participated in Amalgamated Printers Association (APA), College Book Arts (CBAA) Annual Meeting, and AIGA Geopgraphics, and presented work in: “Action/Interaction” Panel, Columbia College; Design Studies Forum (DSF) College Arts Association “Collaboration in Design” Panel; the UA Digital Arts Education Symposium; “Women, Identity and Borders” video screenings and presentations; “Alternate Routes” Video Art Series; and “Departure/Arrival A Reflection on Diaspora” Lecture and Visiting Artist.