Nancy Skolos, USA (1998)
Born in Ohio, Nancy began her education in design at the University of Cincinnati in industrial design. After two years of study, she was accepted as an undergraduate student at...
Read full biographyBorn in Ohio, Nancy began her education in design at the University of Cincinnati in industrial design. After two years of study, she was accepted as an undergraduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art where she completed her BFA in interdisciplinary design, and then went to graduate school in graphic desing at Yale. After graduation, she and her husband, photographer/designer Tom Wedell, whom she met at Cranbrook opened a studio in Boston.
The studio’s work came into its own in the 80s where the developing high technology industry opened up opportunities for making the invisible visible. The team’s surreal photographic concepts combined with rational typographic structures gave voice to abstract concepts such ‘software.’ A 1993 Eye Magazine feature on the studio labeled their attitude “techno-cubist.” Over the span of their career, their approach has evolved and their client base has expanded, but their passion for blurring the boundaries between photography and design has remained the foundation of their vision.
Nancy is currently a Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design where she has also served as Head of Graphic Design and Dean of Architecture and Design.
Publications
Type, Image Message
(2006)
- Nancy Skolos,
- Thomas Wedell
Rockport
Discussion and exposition examining the many ways that type and image interact both formally and conceptually. Examples were categorized into four types: Separation, Fusion, Fragmentation and Inversion.
Graphic Design Process
(2012)
- Nancy Skolos,
- Thomas Wedell
Laurence King
An outline of the design process through a series of case studies from 20 exceptionally gifted designers structured to investigate creative strategies including research, inspiration, drawing, narrative, abstraction, development, and collaboration.
Exhibitions
Designing Modern Women 1890-1990
2014
Museum of Modern Art, New York
Graphic Design Now in Production
2012
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. MN
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Governors Island, NY
Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Providence, RI
Persona 2013: Skolos-Wedell Retrospective
2013
Galeria Sztuki Wozownia, Torun
USDesign 1975–2000
2002
Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO
Mixing Messages
1997
Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, New York, NY
Skolos-Wedell ‘2d/3d Fusion'
1996
Creation Gallery, Tokyo
Graphic Design in America
1989
The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
The Modern Poster
1988
Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
Education
Professor
- Undergraduate,
- Postgraduate
2005 – today
- Rhode Island School of Design (USA)
Department Head 2011–2013 and Dean of Architecture and Design 2014–2017
Associate Professor
- Undergraduate,
- Postgraduate
1999 – 2004
- Rhode Island School of Design (USA)
Department Head 2003–2006
Adjunct Faculty
- Undergraduate,
- Postgraduate
1989 – 1998
- Rhode Island School of Design (USA)
Richard Koopman Distinguished Chair in Visual Arts
- Undergraduate
1998 – 1998
- University of Hartford Art School (USA)
Visiting Critic
- Postgraduate
1992 – 1995
- Yale University (USA)
Awards
2017
2003
2010
2011 and 1985
1988