For many educators, the summer break offers a much-needed respite from the academic year’s stresses, allowing for rest and a focus on personal and professional development. As a faculty member at a Carnegie R1 institution, this period is particularly vital for engaging in creative research, an important component of our professional responsibilities. In academia, the expectations to present, exhibit, and publish our research are well-established, as I have discussed on various occasions across this platform.
Typically, my summer months are characterized by a burst of creativity and travel, contributing to my research and academic outputs. However, this season presented unique challenges. A broken air conditioning system amidst the southern Mississippi heat transformed my home and studio into a sweltering hellscape of an environment, severely hindering my creative processes and productivity. Despite these obstacles, I still managed to complete a few works.
One area of creative research that I have truly enjoyed has been my “10 Minute Studies,” which are software exercises designed to ensure I stay current with the latest design software and techniques. These studies have long been a key part of my design practice, but this summer, I approached them with more intentionality. Beginning in June, I tailored these exercises specifically for a software course I am teaching this fall semester. In order to preserve these studies from my laptop’s trash bin, I have created a dedicated page on this website to showcase them. This allows my students not only to see the possibilities of what can be achieved with these tools but also to be inspired to ask how they, too, can create similar things.
Another area of creative research that I seldom have the opportunity to engage in is client-based work. This summer, however, I was fortunate to collaborate with Laura and Justin Bickham on the branding for their company, Team B Appraisals. Specializing in expert property valuation and real estate consulting, the firm embodies a strong connection to local traditions and community heritage. Founded by seasoned appraisers Laura Bass Bickham and Justin Bickham, the company strives to merge reliable appraisal practices with an appreciation for the distinct qualities that make each property unique.
Laura’s vision for the brand identity was rooted in conveying authenticity, integrity, and a deep respect for local heritage. The resulting logo design, which incorporates the image of a southern live oak tree—a powerful symbol of the South—alongside typographic lockups and classic engraving techniques, reflects these values. This emblem is both versatile and timeless, standing as a representation of the traditional, trustworthy services that Team B Appraisals offers to their clients.
You can see the versatility of the identity system below (Note: This is a variant of the final product – designer’s choice for portfolio display)
Lastly, a long-held passion project—a drawing series titled “Beauty and Destruction”—has finally been revisited after several years. Initiated in 2017, this series explores the complex relationship between time, beauty, and their dual roles as forces of both wonder and destruction. While many of the drawings have been completed and are featured on this website, several remain unfinished, awaiting further development. Full disclosure, this will most likely be the final drawing in this series.
The series juxtaposes idealized notions of beauty, often represented through the human form, with the awe-inspiring yet devastating forces of destruction, conveyed through intricate textures and details. Each piece in the collection draws upon a classical pose, paired with a unique form of destruction. The intent is for the audience to appreciate the beauty in both creation and ruin, provoking reflection on their own perceptions of aesthetics and the often contradictory nature of beauty itself.
The piece that was finally completed is the title piece of the series: Beauty and Destruction
Looking back on these projects—whether it was diving into software studies, collaborating on a branding project, or revisiting a long-standing personal series—I’m reminded of how unpredictable and rewarding the creative process can be. Even with the challenges this summer brought, especially the relentless heat, these moments of reflection and creation were a chance to grow. They helped me see how design, whether for a client or personal expression, is about more than just solving problems. It’s about exploring ideas, connecting with others, and rethinking what we value in our work and lives. As I head into the new school year, I’m excited to bring these insights into my teaching and creative practice, knowing that each project—big or small—shapes how we see the world and what we contribute to it.
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