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.
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. Woodard 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
John F. Malta | Illustrator
John F. Malta is an Illustrator, Art Director, Comic Artist, and Educator based in Laguna Beach, California. His professional practice as an artist explores the convergence of illustration, comic art, installation, and design. For over a decade he has operated a professional studio working with clients such as The New York Times, Magic the Gathering: Secret Lair, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Honda, Beyond the Streets, Adult Swim, Netflix, Dr. Marten’s, The Museum of Arts & Design, Blink-182, Premier Guitar, Garbage Pail Kids, and Complex. John’s studio practice employs a multitude of art-making techniques to execute, editorial campaigns, motion-based advertising work, comic books, picture books, zines, gallery exhibitions, and large-scale installations.