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Design Symposium Lecture Series

For over 40 years, the KU Design Symposium Lecture Series (formerly Hallmark Symposium) has enriched educational experiences by introducing KU students to designers and artists working in a wide range of disciplines and professional fields.

See past Symposium speakers

 


Fall 2024 Schedule

Lectures begin at 6:00pm and are free and open to the public in Budig Hall, 130 

August 29

Colie Wertz | Concept Artist

Colie Wertz is a freelance concept artist who has worked with many of the top companies in the film and postproduction industry, including ImageMovers Digital, Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm and the Orphanage. Wertz’s educational background in architecture has heavily influenced his work as a prop and set designer. Recent notable film projects include the upcoming "The Fantastic Four" movie, "Batman," "Bullet Train," "Dune," "The Marvels," "The Mandalorian," "Thor: Love & Thunder" and six films in the "Star Wars" franchise. 


September 12

Sarah Bryant | Book Artist

Sarah Bryant, the creative force behind Big Jump Press, is a celebrated book artist known for her letterpress printed artist books, broadsides and hand-bound books. Bryant's career includes teaching at the Book Arts Center at Wells College and conducting workshops across the United Kingdom. She is currently an assistant professor for the University of Alabama MFA Book Arts Program.


September 26

Bona Bones | Animator

Bona Bones is an animator with extensive experience in commercial, feature, and television animation. A specialist in stop-motion animation and directing, she is also a skilled seamstress, puppet and puppet set fabricator, and production designer. Bones currently directs animation at The Rabbit hOle, a pioneering children's museum in Kansas City, Missouri committed to creating immersive, multisensory exhibits centered around children's literature. In her spare time, she offers free mentorship services to those interested in pursuing a career in animation.


October 10

Brad Woodard | Designer

Brad Woodard is a graphic designer and illustrator with expertise in digital illustration. After earning a BFA in graphic design, Woodard began his career as an information designer and illustrator at Column Five Media and went on to work at the global advertising agency Arnold Worldwide. Woodward and his wife, Krystal Woodard, now run an independent design and illustration studio, Brave the Woods, and are founders of Artists for Education, an initiative that brings together artists to create educational artwork for classrooms and homes.


October 24

Steven Weinberg | Illustrator

Steven Weinberg is a writer, illustrator and painter based in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Children’s literature projects include the "Astronuts" series and "The Middle Kid," both published by Chronicle Books, and the "Big Jobs Books" series (Macmillan) which has been featured on "The Today Show" and in Parents Magazine. Weinberg’s books have received recognitions, such as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, the Virginia Reader’s Choice Award and the YASLA Reader’s Choice Award from the American Library Association.


November 7

Matt Lehman | Designer

Matt Lehman is a graphic designer, illustrator and art director who has developed visuals for television shows, movies and global brands. His two-decade career has included stops at Anderson Design Group and MTV. In 2010, Lehman established Matt Lehman Studio where he has worked with clients that include The Atlantic, Esquire, Delta, ESPN, NASA, Nickelodeon and PepsiCo.


November 21

Siobhan Gallagher | Illustrator

Siobhán Gallagher  is a cartoonist, illustrator and art director. She is the author of the books "Full of Myself: A Graphic Memoir About Body Image" (Andrews McMeel), "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "In a Daze Work," both from TarcherPerigee. Gallagher has illustrated and overseen art direction for clients such as HarperCollins, Netflix, The New York Times, The New Yorker and Penguin Classics. Her work has been recognized by American Illustration, Print Magazine and The Society of Illustrators.