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Photograph of Tom Elder

Tom Elder Senior Professorial Lecturer CAS | ART | Art

Contact
Tom Elder
CAS | Art
Katzen Arts Center 228
Bio
Tom Elder is Senior Professorial Lecturer teaching Graphic Design. He earned an MFA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University. Elder has been professionally creating traditional design, signage, and digital art for much of his design career. Some of his expertise includes consultation for physical accessibility to structures and the use of Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design (ADASAD). His work is acknowledged in Access for Everyone: A Guide to the Accessibility of Buildings and Sites with References to ADASAD, Osterberg, A. E., & Kain, D. J. (2010). His perspective piece “Which is Worse: Comic Sans or Papyrus?” was featured in American magazine.

In past projects, Tom was one of the original consultants for Adventure Island Playground; the first accessibly designed playground located in Meridian, Idaho; he also designed the original entrance sign for the playground. Tom also designed City Centre Garage signage on 9th and Front, Boise, Idaho including the interior signage structure. He also designed and planned the location of exterior wayfinding to the College of Idaho and some informational direction signs for the City of Nampa, Idaho. He is also an accomplished label designer using hand-drawn and digital lettering techniques for his designs. Tom also creates artwork in virtual 3D creating 3D rendered art that has been curated and exhibited in select national exhibitions.
See Also
Which is Worse: Comic Sans or Papyrus?
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Fall 2024

  • GDES-220 Digital & Emerg Media Design I

  • GDES-270 Design for Understanding

  • GDES-270 Design for Understanding

Spring 2025

  • GDES-220 Digital & Emerg Media Design I

  • GDES-270 Design for Understanding

  • GDES-270 Design for Understanding