Nancy Skolos, USA

AGI member since 1998

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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 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.

Design work by Nancy Skolos


    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 biography
    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 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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    • 2017

    AIGA Medalist
    • 2003

    AIGA Fellow
    • 2010

    Gold Prize Warsaw Poster Biennale, Special Category 'Chopin Anew'
    • 2011 and 1985

    Silver Prize Lahti Poster Biennale
    • 1988

    Bronze Prize International Triennial of Posters Toyama