Jeremy Swanston is a graphic designer and scholar who has worked professionally for nearly two decades. During this time, he has developed extensive print and digital skills to meet the design needs of diverse clients, including the United States Congress and the Department of Justice. Past professional experiences include working as a graphic designer for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the United States Government Publishing Office, both in Washington, DC. This work portfolio centered on conceiving and delivering high-level multimedia communication and brand identity projects, including branding for the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, and designing the 2013 U.S. Presidential Inaugural materials.

After receiving his MFA in Graphic Design in 2015, Swanston pursued a career in academia and is currently an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Program Head at the University of Iowa. His research, grounded on the principles of both human-centered and socially-conscious design, focuses on the strategic use of graphic design processes and methods to affect positive social outcomes. Swanston has lead and collaborated on several socially-based projects that aim to improve both academic and community outcomes, including an educational app (SO.BE Stories) for preschool students, as well as a community engagement collaboration titled Project Perry/Proyecto Perry.

Swanston is the recipient of several internal and external grants to support his multidisciplinary, socially-driven research. His graphic design work has been distinguished with numerous professional awards, and his research has been disseminated nationally and internationally through professional presentations and peer-reviewed publications. His passion for community engagement and socially-driven initiatives has allowed him to build bridges between the Graphic Design program at the University of Iowa, other UI Departments, other State Institutions, and various local communities. His collaborations span across diverse disciplines, including counseling, educational policy, humanities, physics and astronomy, engineering, and public health.

Publications

• Design - Holacracy Educational Materials - Graphic Design Lead Designer, Spring City, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by HolacracyOne, LLC. Further details can be found at https://www.holacracy.org/
• Design - Creating Options Together Conference | Multimeda Website - Graphic Design Lead Designer, St. Paul, Minnesota. Sponsored by Cru InnerCity. 

• Design - Vision Foundation | Mobile App - Graphic Design Lead Designer, South Dakota. 

• Design - ClearView Multimedia Website - Graphic Design Lead Designer, Idaho. Further details can be found at http://www.cveyes.com/

• Design - CommonsLab Report Series - Graphic Design Lead Designer, Washington, District of Columbia. Sponsored by Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Further details can be found at www.wilsoncenter.org/
• Design - Holacracy | Talks at Google - Graphic Design Lead Designer, Spring City, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by HolacracyOne, LLC. Further details can be found at https://www.holacracy.org/
• Design - DC Science  Hack Day at the  Wilson Center - Graphic Design Lead Designer, Washington, District of Columbia. Sponsored by Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Further details can be found at https://www.wilsoncenter.org/

• Design - Castle Care - Graphic Design Lead Designer, Florida.

Awards

• SO•BE Stories (Mobile App), Gold Winner, AVA Digital Awards
• Old Gold Summer Fellowship, University of Iowa.
• SO•BE Stories, Funded by Faculty Innovators, University of Iowa
• SO•BE Stories (Mobile App) / Silver Winner, 45th Annual UCDA Design Competition
• Social Behavioral Stories in the Classroom Community Impact Grant, Funded by Office of the Provost, University of Iowa