faculty

Laura Franz she/her

Professor

Art & Design

Contact

508-999-9285

508-910-6977

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College of Visual & Performing Arts 204A

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Education

1997

Carnegie Mellon University

MDes

1991

Western Michigan University

BFA

Teaching

Graphic Design History
Introduction to the History of Art
Typography (print, web, screen, typeface design)
Digital Essentials

Teaching

Programs

Graphic Design BFA

Teaching

Courses

ARH 102: Intro to the History of Art

A study of the history of art and visual culture from the ancient world to the present. This course consists of a chronological study of painting, sculpture and architecture as well as photography, film and digital media, with an emphasis on the historical, cultural and social forces that shape these artifacts.

ARH 102: Intro to the History of Art

FOU 140: Digital Essentials

Fundamental digital media concepts and techniques in studio art and design practice. Emphasis is placed on the use of digital tools in all creative areas. Hands-on projects demonstrate and reinforce integration of computers in the creation of two, three, and four-dimensional work. Students will develop a visual and verbal language for developing, analyzing, and presenting work. Course is designed for first-year art students.

HON 301: Honors Rsch Across Discip

Prerequisite for Honors APEX. The course leads students through project development and explores creative and critical thinking in the context of American culture, politics, economics and society; research ethics; time management; and public presentation. They will identify their project supervisor and submit their initial APEX proposal. This is scheduled as a blended course. In addition to meeting for one hour and forty minutes each week, you will be asked to complete weekly online assignments and provide peer feedback to other students. Students will earn three credits for completing this course.

Research

Research activities

"Expanding the First-Year Survey without Breaking First-Year Students" (with Dr. Anna Dempsey). Expanding Art History Discourse panel, SECAC Conference, Baltimore, MD, Fall 2022.
"Graphic Design History + Research + Student Agency." UCDA Design Education Summit. Johnson City, TN, Spring 2022.
“Using Categorical Analysis to Identify Underrepresentation in Graphic Design History” as part of "Hidden Histories: Gender in Design: Historiography and Methodology" -- one of a series of lectures organized by the Design History Society, London, UK, Spring 2022.
"Who Wore it Better: Augustus Prima Porta or Daniel J. Levy? Identity, Power, and Protection" as part of the LGBTQ+ lunch series sponsored by the Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality, UMassD, Spring 2021.
"Dangerous" a collaborative text sculpture installation (with Stacy Savage) as part of the exhibition "Intolerance as Violence" Hera Gallery, Wakefield, RI, Spring 2018. Juror: Ian Alden Russell Ph.D., Curator of David Winton Bell Gallery, Brown University.

Research

Research interests

Research & Writing & Student Agency in Graphic Design/Art History
Reframing the story of Graphic Design/Art History
(TL:DR) Redefining Reading: the history and mechanics of reading to better understand how and why people read.
Web Typography: traditional typographic practice and theories applied to web typography
Typography & the Body: Identity, Power, and Protection

Select publications

Laura Franz (2014).
Size Matters: Balancing Line Length and Font Size in Responsive Web Design
Smashing Magazine. Publisher: Smashing Media GmbH.
Laura Franz (2013).
Dear Web Font Providers
Smashing Magazine. Publisher: Smashing Media GmbH.
Laura Franz (2013).
Setting Weights and Styles With The @font-face Declaration
Smashing Magazine. Publisher: Smashing Media GmbH.

Biography

Inspired by the intersection of tradition and technology, Laura's research interests include how we can use theory from established media to inform our understanding of new media and contemporary messages. She writes, presents, and makes art related to typography, how and why people read, and art/design history.