FACULTY - James O'Brien
Instructor
James O'Brien has taught design courses since 1998. His twenty years of experience as a practicing designer and illustrator has allowed him to integrate student projects involving the fundamental process components of research, concept, and refinement, with real-world applications, professional expectations, and industry trends.
James’s teaching methodology provides students with alternate ways of learning key points through demonstrations, historical reference, one-on-one direction, group interactions, and applied projects. Through this, James seeks to ensure his students’ comprehension of the structure, history, and process of design and image making.
James’ work has been recognized by AIGA, Communication Arts, PRINT Magazine, 3X3, The Society of Publication Designers, The Society of Illustrators, and American Illustration. His clients include American Express, Bank of America, Colgate, Rand McNally, Microsoft, Delta Airlines, Sears, Target, Hewlett-Packard, McGraw-Hill, Scholastic Press, Smithsonian, Business Week, Forbes, Time Inc. Publishing, Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The New York Times.
James has also taught courses at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Art Institutes, and the College of St. Catherine’s. He holds a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, an MA from Syracuse University, and an MFA from The University of Hartford.