‘To me, design is everything’: American Institute for Graphic Arts hosts Matt Tullis workshop

“To me, design is everything,” stated Matt Tullis, a well-known professor of graphic design, during his workshop in front of an enthusiastic crowd of students eager to learn from the expert himself. This intriguing workshop, hosted by the American Institute for Graphic Arts (AIGA), took place on March 6 and offered attendees a unique glimpse into Tullis’s captivating world of creativity and design.

The Workshop and Its Highlight

The workshop aimed to illuminate students on the various aspects of design. Tullis, who boasts an impressive portfolio having worked with notable names such as ACDC, Rob Zombie, Joan Jett, amongst others, generously shared his creative process, tips and tricks, and his personal inspirations.

Beyond just imparting design techniques, Tullis shared his passion for motorcycles, tattoos, rock music, and skateboarding. Highlighting his innovative education approach, he disclosed that he lets his students design their own skateboards in one of his classes.

Key Messages From Tullis

Tullis encouraged students to enjoy the process of design, appreciate the research phase in planning and to not be apprehensive of limitations, but rather learn to work within them. His mantra that ‘design is everything’ resonated well with students as they got to understand his creative approach and the extensive thought process behind every design.

Testimonials From Workshop Participants

Co-president of AIGA at WKU and senior visual arts major, Anna Storms, who was instrumental in organizing the workshop, expressed her admiration for Tullis. “He [Tullis] is a spunky, punchy, really cool person. He is super unique.” she stated.

Ray Mendoza, a freshman visual design major who attended the event, also shared his experiences. “It’s wild. It’s weird. It’s outside of what I’m not traditionally comfortable with but what I know,” he said, adding that his favorite part of the event was Tullis’s presentation which narrated his journey from his background, his influences, where he started, where he’s been, and where he’s going.

A Personal Touch and A Fitting Closure

Towards the end of the workshop, Tullis shared a personal story. He narrated a life-altering car accident that he had experienced which led to significant health challenges. This incident did not deter him, but instead, spurred him on to plan a tattoo on his knuckles that would read “Half Done“, a symbolism of his life not being over despite adversities.

Adding an interactive note to the proceedings, Tullis invited students to design their very own knuckle tattoos as the workshop’s final assignment, making it a memorable and enriching event for all participants.

In Conclusion

The innovative graphic design workshop hosted by the American Institute for Graphic Arts provided a platform to emulate and learn from a seasoned professional like Matt Tullis. It offered students an opportunity to understand the in-depth process and significance of design – making it a hands-on and interactive learning event that resonated well with all attendees.