School of Architecture & Design announces fall 2024 KU Design Symposium Lecture Series

LAWRENCE — The School of Architecture & Design at the University of Kansas has announced programming for the Fall 2024 KU Design Symposium Lecture Series. 

For over four decades, the KU Design Symposium Lecture Series (formerly the Hallmark Symposium) has introduced KU students and the local creative community to accomplished artists and designers working in a wide range of disciplines, media and professional fields. 

Lectures begin at 6 p.m. in 130 Budig Hall on the KU Lawrence campus. Events are free and open to the public.

Aug. 29

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. 

Sept. 12

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.

Sept. 26

Julian Narino is an Annie-nominated storyboard artist who blends humor, emotion and action in his storyboard art for film and television. Narino has contributed to critically acclaimed animated projects such as "Coraline," "ParaNorman" and "Kubo and the Two Strings" and the live-action film "Bumblebee." In television, he has contributed to the popular animated series "Adventure Time" and "We Bare Bears."

Oct. 10

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.

Oct. 24

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.

Nov. 7

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.

Nov. 21

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.