A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.

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Donald Pollack

Professor, Adjunct

Contact

Bio

Adjunct Professor, Visual Communications. BFA, Graphic Design, University of Illinois, Urbana. MFA, Painting, Ohio State University, Columbus. Exhibitions: 2021, Newzones Gallery, Calgary, Canada. 2020, Marcia Wood Gallery, Atlanta, GA. 2019, Cliff Dwellers Club, Chicago, IL, 'Modern Classics: Tragedy of the Beautiful'. Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL, 'True Life Novelettes'. 2016, Carnegie Museum for Art and History, Bernheim Arboretum, New Albany, IN. Bibliography: 'Bernheim Art: Carnegie Center', Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY. 'Standing Ground at Standing Rock', fnewsmagazine. Don Pollack: 'Mysterious Island, Chicago Tribune'. Awards: 'Making Our History: Lincoln’s Legacy Grant', Center for Lincoln Studies, University of Illinois. 'Bernheim Arboretum Residency'. SAIC Grants, ‘17,’16,’09.

Artist's Statement

By conceptually proceeding from the premise that all vision is historic and constructed, Pollack’s paintings have employed the use of various strategies from Book cover formats and typography to designed documents, photography, and landscape painting. His work originates from journey and travel. The process often begins with extensive historic research, followed by an epic journey into the landscape as a means of experiencing the landscape, local cultures, and historic events. His paintings document and comment via a cross between traditional painting, graphic design, and political cartooning.

 

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

Image Studio is a course that challenges students to interpret, critically read text, conceptualize, and assess project parameters to implement design solutions. The creative process is a core focus throughout the assignments. The goal of this course is to explore the process of creating original imagery and visual information. We utilize digital and analog means to create design solutions to projects that also require fundamental explorations with typography. We explore a diverse means of image construction from paper collage to photography and Photoshop manipulation. Form studies examine design basics such as juxtaposition, repetition, and progression as well as the use of metaphor, analogy, and semiotics. The introduction of design context, audience awareness, and sequential narrative is also addressed.

Class Number

1392

Credits

3

Description

Image Studio is a course that challenges students to interpret, critically read text, conceptualize, and assess project parameters to implement design solutions. The creative process is a core focus throughout the assignments. The goal of this course is to explore the process of creating original imagery and visual information. We utilize digital and analog means to create design solutions to projects that also require fundamental explorations with typography. We explore a diverse means of image construction from paper collage to photography and Photoshop manipulation. Form studies examine design basics such as juxtaposition, repetition, and progression as well as the use of metaphor, analogy, and semiotics. The introduction of design context, audience awareness, and sequential narrative is also addressed.

Class Number

2075

Credits

3

Description

Image Studio is a course that challenges students to interpret, critically read text, conceptualize, and assess project parameters to implement design solutions. The creative process is a core focus throughout the assignments. The goal of this course is to explore the process of creating original imagery and visual information. We utilize digital and analog means to create design solutions to projects that also require fundamental explorations with typography. We explore a diverse means of image construction from paper collage to photography and Photoshop manipulation. Form studies examine design basics such as juxtaposition, repetition, and progression as well as the use of metaphor, analogy, and semiotics. The introduction of design context, audience awareness, and sequential narrative is also addressed.

Class Number

2076

Credits

3

Description

Experiments in visual communication challenge the student to further refine visual thinking and integrate basic studies through applied problems. The importance of flexibility of approach is stressed at this level. Through experimentation, the problem is defined and organized; imagery and message are manipulated; awareness of potential solutions is increased. A student's portfolio must be pre-approved by the visual communication department for enrollment in this course.

Class Number

1402

Credits

3

Description

Experiments in visual communication challenge the student to further refine visual thinking and integrate basic studies through applied problems. The importance of flexibility of approach is stressed at this level. Through experimentation, the problem is defined and organized; imagery and message are manipulated; awareness of potential solutions is increased. A student's portfolio must be pre-approved by the visual communication department for enrollment in this course.

Class Number

2082

Credits

3