Curriculum Vitae
Education
1989–94. University of North Texas, College of Arts and Design, Denton, Texas. MFA in Communication Design
1981–85. Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, Design Department. Shenyang, China. BFA in Graphic Design
Teaching Experience
2018–now. University of North Texas, College of Visual Arts and Design, Denton, Texas. Assistant Professor in Communication Design
Courses Taught:
Graphic Design Advanced Campaigns. ADES 4520
Publication Design. ADES 3500
Image Making and Color Theory. ADES 2515
Graphic Design. ADES 2520
Typography II. ADES 2510
Cause Based Design. ADES 4515
Graphic Design Final Portfolio. ADES 4525
Interaction Design I. ADES 3510
1985–89. Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, Design Department, Shenyang, China. Assistant Professor in Graphic Design
Professional Experience
2014–16. Lodge 26 Branding Agency. Creative Director
2013–14. Filson. Seattle, WA. Vice President, Creative Director
1994–13. Fossil Group. Final position: Vice President/Image Director of Fossil Brand after serving as Sr. Designer, Art Director, Sr. Art Director, and Creative Director
Recognition
Award
International & National
2024
American Watercolor Society The 157th International Exhibition
15th Annual Signature American Watermedia International Exhibition
2023
2023 American Graphic Design Awards. Winner. The work: The Cultured Cup Branding. Winner.
2023 American Graphic Design Awards. Winner. The work: Be Aware Campaign. Winner
Creative Quarterly 71. Winner, Design Category.
2023 Watercolor USA. Best of Show
American Watercolor Society The 156th International Exhibition. Carl Folke Sahlin Medal
2023 Transparent Watercolor Society of America Annual Juried Exhibition. John Singer Sargent Award
2022
2022 Festival Internacional de Imagem de Natureza, Biodiversiy Drawing Competition, Nature Drawing Category. First Place
Splash 23. Second Place
2021
2021 Graphic Design USA Package Design Awards,. Winner
2021 Watercolor USA. Best of Show
Watermedia Showcase 2021. Best of Show
2021 Transparent Watercolor Society of America Annual Juried Exhibition. Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Watercolor Award
2020
Graphis Poster 2021. Silver Medal
11th Annual Signature American Watermedia International Exhibition. Best of Show
2020 Transparent Watercolor Society of America Annual Juried Exhibition. ”Chevy” Chevillon Memorial Award
2020 Watercolor USA. National Watercolor Society Award
2019
2019 Watercolor USA. Best of Show (Kenneth M. Shuck Memorial Award)
2019 Watercolor USA. Nancy Handlan Memorial Award
2019 Watercolor USA. Harold Gregor Memorial Award
Watercolor West 2019 International Juried Exhibition. 2nd Place
2019 Transparent Watercolor Society of America Annual Juried Exhibition. “Marty McManamon Memorial Award”
Competition
International & National
2023
2022 iJungle Illustration Awards
Splash 24r
2022
American Illustration 41
3x3 International Illustration Annual No.19
Creative Quarterly 68
2021
2021 iJungle Illustration Awards
Creative Quarterly 65
Creative Quarterly 63
Graphis Design Annual 2021
American Illustration 40
Poster Fest 03, by The Hungarian Poster Association
Splash 22
2020
Graphis Poster 2021
Splash 21
American Illustration 39
2019
Graphis Design Annual 2020
Graphis Design Annual 2020
2018
Splash 20
Exhibition
International & National. Juried
2023
2023 Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition, by The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas
2022
Exhibition at the US Embassy in Equatorial Guinea, by Art in Embassies Program of the US Department of State
2021
Borderless—The 5th International New Media Art Triennial, by Beijing Film Academy, Beijing, China. Co-authored presentation. Presented by Dr. Kang Zhang
2020
Harmony and Evolution, 2020 Exhibition of the Chinese American Art Faculty Association, by The Chinese American Art Faculty Association. Madison, WI.
The 3rd Exhibition of Contemporary International Ink Design. 2020 Beijing Design Week. Beijing, China, by Beijing Design Society and Capital Normal University, College of Fine Arts. China
2019
Ink Art and Pattern—the Special Works Exhibition of International Design. 2019 Beijing International Design Week, by Beijing Design Society and Capital Normal University, College of Fine Arts. China
Up Front—UNT College of Visual Arts and Design’s new faculty show
State. Juried
2021
Unmasked—Faculty & Professionals Exhibition, by Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA).
2020
Our Faces, Our Voices Group Exhibition, by Fort Worth Community Art Center. Fort Worth, TX
Critical Review in Print, Digital, & Video
International & National
2023
Onstead Institute, University of North Texas. Video “Painting with Water”
2022
Art in Embassies, US Department of State. Video “3 Questions with Stephen Zhang”
mymodernmet.com. My Modern Met. Los Angeles, CA. “Expressive Watercolor Paintings Are Candid Snapshots of People Living in the Moment”
2020
Watercolor Artist. Spring, 2021. Feature article “Seeing Connection”
2019
40 Portrait Masters, Pratique des Arts. France. Feature section “Stephen Zhang—The Painting’s Path”
Work in Publication
2024
Watercolor Artist, Winter 2024. Painting “Break”
2023
Plough Quarterly, winter 2023 issue. Painting “Haircut”, on the inside cover, illustrating the theme “Generations”
Art in Embassies, United States Embassy Malabo catalog. Multiple paintings
2022
Watercolor Artist, Winter 2022. Painting “Hidden”
Watercolor Artist, Fall 2022. A sketch
2021
Fine Art Connoisseur, Apr. 2021. Painting “Stone Road”
2020
Artfolio 2020. Painting “Mindscap”
Watercolor Artist, Feb. 2020. Painting “Mindscape”
2019
Watercolor Artist, Apr. 2019. Painting “Fire and Metal”
2018
Patron, Oct/Nov. 2018. Illustration “Lenny, Lenny, Lenny!”
International Artist, June/July 2018. Painting “Spitalfields”
Creative Practice
Collaboration
2022
“Be Aware” labor trafficking awareness campaign. Collaborated with 3 graphic novel artists and Mosaic Family Services.
2021
Delight—Texas Fashion Collection Catalog. Collaborated with Caliber Creative. Recognition: awards and competitions
2019
Faces of Dallas Choir Concert—an Interdisciplinary Collaboration with over 30 creative professionals including Verdigris Ensemble, composers, writers, artists, ect.. The multimedia choir concert was part of the 2019 Dallas Soluna International Music & Arts Festival lineup. Recognition: awards and competitions
Kandinsky Sans Poster. Collaborating with Dr. Kang Zhang, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou, China, who created Kandinsky Sans, a computer-generated and parameterizable typeface. This poster explored its potential in communication design. Recognition: awards and exhibition
Self-Initiated Project
2022
Break. Painting exploring new storytelling of the west
2021
perverted CONnections. The poster utilizing illustration and design to convey emotional impact while presenting complex information, based on extensive research
2021
Hidden. Painting exploring methods of Biocultural Communication
2020
Brain is an Ecosystem. Poster exploring a metaphorical approach to visually storytelling about mental states
2019
Dao De Jing. Poster and illustrations exploring the visual storytelling of the book of Daoism
Client Work
International & National
2022
The Cultured Cup, Dallas, TX. Re-branding.
2022
Xnito. San Francisco, CA. Brand consulting on the directions of branding, product, advertising, website, and video
2021
Southern Fried Chinese. Oakland, CA. Brand identity, illustration, web design
Total Wine & More. Bethesda, MD. Competition research and the branding concept for a new in-house brand. In collaboration with Caliber Creative
2020
Solazur Ensemble. Denver, CO. Mercurial music CD and digipak design
Xnito. San Francisco, CA. Branding and design consulting—brand strategy, brand identity, identity guide, packaging, and collateral
2019
Shengjing Grand Theater, Shenyang, China. Program book and poster for “YYFF—Zhu Yafen and Students Piano Concert”
Guiyang M.X Development LTD. Guiyang, China. Brand consulting on Mission, Process and Deliverables
2018
Shinola. Detroit, MI. Envelop and information card for Tom Ford watches
Shinola. Detroit, MI. “Tom Ford Watch Retail Display Instruction Guide”
The Cultured Cup. Farmer’s Branch, TX. Store design
Regional
2021
Mosaic Family Services. Dallas, TX. 2021 holiday fundraising card
Mosaic Family Services. Dallas, TX. Commissioned portrait of the organization’s founder
2019
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Secondary logo system. Group project
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Seasonal Source-book. Group project
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Program book for the concert “Mass Transmission”
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Concert poster “Mass Transmission”
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Concert poster “Dia De Los Moertos”
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Concert poster “Dust Bowl”
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Concert poster “Song From the Uproar”
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Concert poster “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”
2018
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Program book for the concert “The Little Match Girl Passion”
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Program book for the concert “Lenny, Lenny, Lenny!”
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Concert poster “Lenny, Lenny, Lenny!”
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Brand identity system for Ion Young Composer Competition
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. 2018-19 Season Brochure
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Illustration series for 2018-19 season
Verdigris Ensemble. Dallas, TX. Brand identity system for Verdigris Ensemble
Reng Lighting. Magazine advertising
Reng Lighting. Lookbook #1
Reng Lighting. Lookbook #2
Reng Lighting. Hangtags
Reng Lighting. Brand identity system
SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
Conference & Symposium Presentation
International. Peer Reviewed
2023
Presentation and Proceeding. The Kyoto Conference on Arts, Media & Culture (KAMC2023). “Combating Labor Trafficking with Design: Utilizing Storytelling, Collaboration, and Cultural Relevance in Raising Awareness”. Co-presenter: Li Xu
2021
15th International Conference on Design Principles & Practices. “Brand with Purpose—Discover a brand’s deeper meaning to drive the development of its visual identity”
2020
The Kyoto Conference on Arts, Media & Culture (KAMC2020). “Voice and Faces of a Community”
2019
Contemporary Watercolor Symposium, by College of Fine Art, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing, China. “Flow in Watercolor”
Keynote speaker at VINCI 2019: The 12th International Symposium on Visual Information Communication and Interaction. East China Normal University Shanghai, China. “Worth a Thousand Words—Storytelling in Visual Communication”
Lecture & Workshop
International & National. Peer Reviewed & Invited
2023
Lecture “Brand Design Management”. West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences, Jewelry College. Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China
Lecture “Design and Personality”. Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of the Arts. Dallas, TX
Workshop “Find Your Flow in Watercolor Portrait & Landscape”. San Diego Watercolor Society
Workshop “In the Moment”. Pennsylvania Watercolor Society
2022
Lecture “Design and Personality”, Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of the Arts. Dallas, TX
Demonstration “Learn to Paint Portraits”. National Watercolor Society
Lecture and demonstration “In Flow” for Southwest Watercolor Society. Dallas, TX
2021
Lecture “Picture Stories”, School of Creativity Gallery at Mark Arts, Wichita, KS
Video workshop “Ink Painting”, Dallas Museum of Art’s Go Van Gogh program. Dallas, TX
2019
Lecture “Branding and Design”, Renmin University of China, School of Art. Beijing, China
Lecture “Branding and Design”, Zhaoqing University, College of Fine Art. Zhaoqing, China
Lecture “Branding and Design”, Shantou University, Cheung Kong School of Art & Design. Shantou, China
Lecture “Branding and Design”, Foshan University, The School of Industrial Design and Ceramic Art. Foshan, China
Lecture “History of Branding and Design Education and Practice in the US”, Shantou University, Cheung Kong School of Art & Design Graduate School. Shantou, China
Regional. Peer Reviewed & Invited
2023
Workshop “Ink Painting—Flow, Implication, Imagination” for Fort Worth ISD Art Teachers, organized by Onstead Institute, University of North Texas, College of Visual Arts and Design. Denton, Tx
Lecture on design management for Professor Siriporn Peters’ ART3030 Digital Communication for Art and Creative Entrepreneurship and ADES4660 Seminar in Design Management. University or North Texas.
Lecture on fashion rendering with ink for Professor Barbara Trippeer’s ADES 2570 Fashion Drawing class. University of North Texas.
2022
Workshop “Ink Painting—Flow, Implication, Imagination” for Dallas ISD Art Teacher’s Summer Camp, hosted by Onstead Institute, University of North Texas, College of Visual Arts and Design. Denton, TX
2021
Workshop “Ink Painting Introduction”, Oak Cliff Culture Center, Dallas TX. Part of AAPI Heritage Month program
Book & Journal Publication
2024
Book chapter “A Biocultural Sketch of Lanxangia Tsaoko” in the book “Linking Art for Biocultural Conservation, Restoration, and Communication” which is part of the series Ecology and Ethics edited by Ricardo Rozzi. Springer Publishing, New York.
2023
Conference Proceeding “Combating Labor Trafficking With Design—Utilizing Storytelling, Collaboration, and Cultural Relevance to Raise Awareness” in Official Conference Proceedings—the 4th Kyoto Conference on Arts, Media & Culture. The International Academic Forum (IAFOR)
Teaching Result
Student Competitions & Awards
International & National
2024
Graphis.com blog featuring Kristina Armitage “Top Shelf New Talent Behind ‘Rowdy Tiger’ Whiskey”. Instructed by Ryan Bailey and Stephen Zhang
2023
Gold Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Kristina Armitage. “Rowdy Tiger” brand campaign, instructed by Ryan Bailey and Stephen Zhang
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Makayla Sanchez. “One Way Ticket” poster
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Jazmine Garcia “Losing Our Minds” poster
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Jalon Isabell. “IFSC 2022 World Cup Season Recap” brochure
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Zachary Hall “Live” poster
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Keaton Dillard. “The Royal Priest” graphic novel
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Tristan Navaro. “Clean=Dirty” poster
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Mariangelis Pagan. “Lock & Co. Hatters” Brand Book
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Ella Goldsmith. “The Shining” illustrated playbook
Honorable Mention Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Sreesriya Vempati. “Time is Melting Away” poster
Honorable Mention Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Tristan Navaro. “The Economics Behind ‘Quiet Quitting’” magazine article title page
Honorable Mention Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Tristan Navaro. “Grizzly Things” icon poster
Honorable Mention Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Craig Smith. “Highway to Hell” poster
Honorable Mention Graphis New Talent Annual 2023. Ashley Owen. “PBS Grow” app
Best Annual Reports, Brochures & Catalogs. The National Student Show & Conference 2023. Mariangelis Pagan. “Lock & Co. Hatters” Brand Book
Senior Portfolio, Second Place. 2023 The National Student Show & Conference 2023. Mariangelis Pagan. One project I taught is part of the portfolio
Accepted into National Student Show & Conference 2023. Lauren Clark. “Gucci Twinsburg” Lookbook
Accepted into National Student Show & Conference 2023. Maxwell Pius Bicycle Card brochure
2022
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2022. Chelsea Tolin. “The Iron Slayer” graphic novel
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2022. Hana Snell. “Hotel Joaquin” brand campaign
Honorable Mention, Graphis New Talent Annual 2022. Kaylen Carson, Marly Chhoeung. “Taking Charge of the Future” magazine spreads
Honorable Mention, Graphis New Talent Annual 2022. Mariangelis Pagan, Aubrey Barnes. “Back to Nature’s Roots” magazine spreads
Honorable Mention, Graphis New Talent Annual 2022. Stephanie Moreno. “Aldi” brand campaign
Honorable Mention, Graphis New Talent Annual 2022. Garrett Elm-Picard, Zelaya Claudia, Angie Fuentes, Mia Dodson. “The Wild Detectives” website
Best Senior Portfolio. The National Student Show & Conference 2022. Kristina Armitage. Two projects I taught are part of the portfolio
Senior Portfolio, Second Place. The National Student Show & Conference 2022. Gina Lecca. One project I taught is part of the portfolio
Senior Portfolio, Third Place. 2The National Student Show & Conference 2022. Ashley Owen. One project I taught is part of the portfolio
2021
Silver Medal, Graphis New Talent Annual 2021. Tama Higuchi-Roos. “The Arkenstone Gallery” brochure
Honorable Mention Graphis New Talent Annual 2021. Eddie Guerrero. “Alamo Drafthouse Cinema” brochure
Honorable Mention, Graphis New Talent Annual 2021. Kristina Armitage “The Particle Physics Handbook” brochure
Honorable Mention Graphis New Talent Annual 2021. Mir Ortiz. “Muhammad Ali” poster
Honorable Mention, Graphis New Talent Annual 2021. Jessica Smith, Heather Robinson, Ashleigh Calvert. “Mobile Tech Xperience Bus” branding and service design
Honorable Mention, Salute Student Design Competition. Hana Snell
Best Senior Portfolio at National Student Show & Conference 2021. Andrew Ashton. Two projects I taught are part of the portfolio
Best in Publication: Editorial Spread or Feature Design in The National Student Show & Conference 2021. Kristina Armitage
Accepted into National Student Show & Conference 2021. Gina Lecca
Accepted into National Student Show & Conference 2021. Madison Canfield
Accepted into National Student Show & Conference 2021. Mariangelis Pagan
Accepted into National Student Show & Conference 2021. Garrett Elm-Picard, Zelaya Claudia, Angie Fuentes, Mia Dodson
2020
Best Junior Portfolio, National Student Show & Conference 2020. Hana Snell. One project I taught is part of the portfolio
Accepted in National Student Show & Conference 2020. Taylor Cornelius
2019
Jeff Barfoot Best Concept Award at The National Student Show & Conference 2019. Mark Baker-Sanchez
Best Integrated Campaign at The National Student Show & Conference 2019. Mark Baker-Sanchez
Best Mobile App Visual Design at The National Student Show & Conference 2019. Hyunjung Yoo
Accepted into The National Student Show & Conference 2019. Andrea Chavez
Accepted into The National Student Show & Conference 2019. Claudia Alvarez
Accepted into The National Student Show & Conference 2019. Mycaela Erben
Service
Profession
2024
Board member of Visual Art Society of Texas (VAST)
Judge of 48th Transparent Watercolor Society of America Juried Exhibition
2023
Board member of Visual Art Society of Texas (VAST)
Judge of 2023 San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition
2022
Judge of 2022 National Watercolor Society International Open Exhibition
2021
Judge of Kansas Watercolor Society National Exhibition. Mark Arts, Wichita, KS
Judge of 2022 Calendar Competition. Visual Arts Society of Texas
Portfolio reviewer for the AIGA Nashville Student Conference
Community
2024
Design support to non-profit organizations, Opertion Kindness, Mosaic Family Services, and Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, with designs created by students in collaborative Service-Learning projects in Advanced Graphic Design class
2023
Design support to non-profit organizations, The Elbow Room, 7 More, and Educational First Step with designs created by students in collaborative Service-Learning projects in Cause-Based Design class
2022
Labor Trafficking Awareness campaign for Mosaic Family Services
Initiated the campaign with Mosaic Family Services
Conceptualized creative direction
Invited three artists to collaborate
Designed multiple pieces
Design support to non-profit organizations, Big Thought, Dallas ISD, Mosaic Family Services, and REACH, Inc. with designs created by students in collaborative Service-Learning projects in Cause-Based Design class
2021
Holiday Fundraising Card Design for Mosaic Family Services
Judge of the Library Card Design Contest by Denton Public Library
Design support to non-profit organization Big Thought with designs created by students in a collaborative Service-Learning project in Cause-Based Design class
2018–20
Board member and then volunteer for Verdigris Ensemble
College of Visual Arts and Design
2004
Advisor of a student illustration club North Texas Illustration Society
Member of faculty search committee—CommDesign tenure track Assistant Professor
2023
Invited and organized guest lecture “Build, Test, Repeat” that was open to the college as part of the October Design Month
Member of faculty search committee—CommDesign tenure track Assistant Professor
Lecture on design management for professor Siriporn Peters’ classes ART3030 Digital Communication for Art and Creative Entrepreneurship and ADES4660 Seminar in Design Management. University or North Texas
Advisor of a student illustration club North Texas Illustration Society
Member of the Research Infrastructure Committee
2022
Member of the Research Infrastructure Committee
Member of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council
Donation of a painting to Texas Fashion Collection
Member of faculty search committee—CommDesign Visiting Assistant Professor
Member of faculty search committee—CommDesign Lecturer
Member of faculty search committee—UX Design tenure track Assistant Professor
2021
Member of faculty search committee—CommDesign Visiting Professor
Member of faculty search committee—Foundation, lecturer in Foundation
2020
Member of faculty search committee—CommDesign tenure track Assistant Professor
2018
Member of faculty search committee—Ceramic tenure track Assistant Professor
Member of faculty search committee—CommDesign tenure track Assistant Professor
Design Department
2023
Lecture on fashion rendering with ink for professor Barbara Trippeer’s ADES 2570 Fashion Drawing class. University of North Texas
2022
Risograph printer research lead. UNT, CVAD Design Department
2020
Communication Design Speaker (opened to CVAD), organizer
2018
Design Department Newsletter header design
Communication Design Program
2023
Organizer and supervisor of the 2023 CommDesign Graduation Exhibition with a brand new format
2022
Reached out to multiple alumni inviting them to participate in October Design Week’s Instagram take-over.
CommDesign graduation job survey
CommDesign senior website, co-organizer
2022 CommDesign senior graduation exhibition set up, co-organizer
2021
CommDesign Sophomore Review, co-chair
CommDesign Entry Portfolio Review, member
Class 2021 Graduation celebration video production, chair
2020
CommDesign Sophomore Review, co-chair
CommDesign Entry Portfolio Review, member
2019
CommDesign Sophomore Review, co-chair
CommDesign Entry Portfolio Review, member
2018
CommDesign Sophomore Review, member
CommDesign Entry Portfolio Review, member