Justin Childress

Justin Childress

Clinical Assistant Professor, Design & Innovation

Contact

jschildress@smu.edu

 

Educational Background

  • MFA in Visual Communication from Texas A&M University - Commerce
  • BFA in Graphic Design from Texas Christian University

Biography

Justin Childress is a graphic designer, writer, and design educator. He is a Creative Director and partner at Switch, a friendly branding and interactive design studio in Dallas, where he works with a wide variety of clients ranging from individuals and non-profits to startups and national brands. He received his BFA in Communication Design from Texas Christian University and his MFA in Visual Communication from Texas A&M University-Commerce, where his thesis work explored how interactive tools can influence hazard projection and route planning by cyclists who depend on bike-specific roadways. His design work has been recognized by AIGA, Print Magazine, and DSVC among others, and he is a regular speaker on the future of curiosity-driven design in a disillusioned visual culture.

Honors and Awards

  • National Endowment for the Arts
    AVDD Artist Competition Grant, in cooperation with bcWorkshop
  • City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs
    Cultural Plan Micro-Residency Award, in collaboration with Gray Garmon
  • Princeton Architectural Press
    Published works, Posters for Change

Research Areas

  • Human-Centered Design: methods, ethics, and social impact
  • User experience and interface design
  • Urban movement and micro-transportation
  • Community-audited public spaces
  • Art and technology symbiotics
  • Design/build pedagogy

Recent Workshops and Conference Presentations

  • (Upcoming 10/23) ReVIEWING: International Conference on Black Mountain College
    Presentation: “Beyond Two Cultures: Exploring the Legacy of Experiments in Art and Technology
    (E.A.T.) and its Influence on Cross-Disciplinary Learning”
  • Future of Design in Higher Education: 2023 Convening
    Workshop: “DreamUp: A Game of Creative Collaboration”
  • SMU Summit: Digital Interactions, Interfaces and Experiences
    Presentation, with Jessica Burnham: “Human-Centered Design for Digital Interfaces”
  • The City of Dallas Office of Innovation
    Workshop: “ReForm: Designing Usable and Accessible Forms That Enable Community Impact”
  • American Planning Association: Annual Texas State Planning Conference
    Presentation/panel: “Community-Audited Public Spaces”

Personal Website

justinchildress.co