Rebecca Tegtmeyer is a graphic design educator and practitioner. Through her active research, writing, making, and teaching agenda she investigates the role of a designer and the creative process through a variety of forms—from static to dynamic, time-based to print. Working both individually and collaboratively she approaches design as a catalyst in facilitating systems that challenge and inspire—further extending the capabilities and responsibilities of a designer in today’s complex world. Current research projects focus on sewing as a design practice in addition to working collaboratively on a variety of pedagogically-focused initiatives. Rebecca is co-author and co-editor of the title, Collaboration in Design Education, with Marty Maxwell Lane published by Bloomsbury Academic in Fall 2020.
Currently, Rebecca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design at Michigan State University. She teaches undergraduates and graduates in the areas of interaction design, motion design, typography, user experience and branding design. She is an active contributor to both the new BFA in Graphic Design curriculum and the new BA in Experience Architecture degree program.
Rebecca has presented at several international and national conferences organized by the highest-ranking organizations in the design field such as: UCDA (University and College Designers Association), Cumulus Association (International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media), DRS (Design Research Society), EAD (European Academy of Design) and the AIGA Design Educators Community. Rebecca is a three-time alumni of DesignInquiry, a non-profit educational organization devoted to researching design issues in intensive team-based gatherings. She was an active member of the organizing committee for MODE (Motion Design Education) Summit, contributing to the 2015 Dublin, 2017 Columbus, OH, and 2019 New Zealand conferences. From 2019-2022 she served as a member on the AIGA Design Educators Community Steering Committee.
Rebecca holds a BFA in Visual Communication from the University of Kansas and a Master of Graphic Design (MGD) from NC State University College of Design. Prior to entering academics, she worked at Willoughby Design, a boutique design studio, followed by Kuhn & Wittenborn, an integrated marketing agency, before working at Hallmark Cards Inc. for seven years. At Hallmark she had various roles that primarily involved managing product development and designers in merchandising, marketing, and in-house communications.