John David Haller
MFA, Visual Communication Design
Download John Haller’s curriculum vitae (PDF) ↗
Education
2022 — Master of Fine Arts, Visual Communication Design
Kent State University · Kent, Ohio
School of Visual Communication Design
Thesis: Using Visual Language to Reduce Patient Barriers and Medication Errors
View thesis on OhioLINK
2019 — Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication Design
Kent State University · Kent, Ohio
1999 — Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts: Directing
University of Northern Colorado · Greeley, Colorado
1997 — Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts
Aims Community College · Greeley, Colorado
Academic Appointments
Marietta College
Hermann Fine Arts Center · Marietta, Ohio
Aug 2023–Aug 2024 — Instructor of Graphic Design
The University of Akron
Myers School of Art · Akron, Ohio
Aug–Dec 2022 — Special Lecturer, Instructor of Record
Kent State University
School of Visual Communication Design · Kent, Ohio
Aug 2019–Jan 2025 — Adjunct Faculty, Instructor of Record
Jan 2020–Dec 2022 — Teaching Practicums
Spring 2021 — Graduate Assistant, Instructor of Record
Courses Taught
Foundations and introductory design
Introduction to Design; Design Principles, Process, and Practice; Design Foundations
Studio
Introduction to Visual Communication Design, Studio
Typography
Introduction to Typography; Typography I
Branding and identity
Logo Design & Branding
Graphic design
Graphic Design II
Design software
Software for Design
Areas of Expertise & Teaching Interests
Expertise: Typography, branding and identity systems, graphic design foundations, layout and hierarchy, design thinking, critique, and production for print and digital media.
Teaching interests: Design foundations, Typography I and II, branding and identity, studio foundations, and design software and workflow.
Professional Experience
Eagle Ridge Threads LLC — Founder / Designer
January 2025–Present
Design and produce original apparel graphics combining illustration, graphic design, and typography. Develop a consistent brand identity across product lines, mockups, and store visuals. Prepare print-ready artwork to vendor specifications and maintain the Shopify storefront and product presentation.
Glyphix Studio — Graphic Design Intern
January 2018–May 2019 · Kent, Ohio
Produced digital artwork, logo concepts, print materials, and marketing collateral under the creative director’s direction. Met with clients biweekly to clarify project goals and align creative direction.
Century 21 HomeStar — Real Estate Sales Agent
September 2009–March 2016 · Cleveland and Akron, Ohio
Created listing and brokerage marketing materials, including website updates, email campaigns, virtual tours, advertising, and social content. Conducted showings and open houses, generated listings, and managed transactions through closing.
KellyConnect, BPO for Apple, Inc. — Area Manager / Call Center Operations
June 2012–September 2013 · Troy, Michigan
Managed workflow and team productivity for a 970-seat virtual call center. Coordinated communication across departments, trained staff, and supported service quality and operational performance.
Exhibitions
2020 — VCD Juried Student Show
Kent State University
POLAR Brand Identity Manual — Book
2019 — VCD Juried Student Show
Kent State University
Male Genital Mutilation — Poster
Blaise, a Display Typeface — Typographic specimen
2019 — Export BFA, Senior Showcase
Curated presentation of selected and refined undergraduate design work.
2017 — VCD Juried Student Show
Kent State University
Sin, An Absolution — Photographic series
A Portrait of the Artist — Portrait photography
The Lord of the Flies — Poster
Presentations & Professional Development
Presenter
Fall 2019 — InDesign Demonstration, AIGA Kent Student Chapter
Page layout, grids, the Van de Graaf canon, baseline grids, and paragraph and character styles.
Conference and town hall participation
2022: Colloquium 9.1, Kent State University Design Innovation
2021: Academic Honor & Integrity: Challenges & Opportunities, Reinvention Collaborative
2021: Connecting Scholars, Building Community, Design Research Networking, College Art Association / Design Incubation
2020: AIGA Design Conference
2020: Adobe MAX Creative Conference
2019: Hamilton Wayzgoose, Hamilton Wood Type and Print Museum
Symposium and workshop participation
Fall 2019: Marc Lineveldt — Creative direction and design competitions
Fall 2019: Dafi Kühne — Analog letterpress and digital design
Fall 2019: Christine Wisnieski — Branding outdoor environments through print and digital media
Fall 2019: Scott Moore — Letterpress, wood type, and hands-on type making
Fall 2016: Timothy Goodman — Design, words, and human connection
Service & Leadership
Fall 2023 — Volunteer Design Support
Marietta College Theatre Department
Designed a print-ready T-shirt graphic for department use.
Spring 2020–Fall 2022 — Founder & President, VCD|247
Developed the organization’s constitution and bylaws; supported membership outreach, chapter growth, event planning, and social media.
Fall 2019–Fall 2021 — Director, AIGA Kent Student Chapter
Supported membership communications, chapter growth, event planning, and social media.
Fall 2009–Spring 2010 — Board Member at Large
Ohio Community Theatre Association
Served as a liaison among members, regional representatives, and the board; coordinated committee updates and reporting.
Professional Memberships
AIGA, Kent Student Chapter
Akron American Advertising Federation
Knights of Columbus, Third Degree
The Type Directors Club
Certifications
Social & Behavioral Researcher Certificate — CITI Program; listed in the CV as Spring 2020–Present
Certificate of Research Fundamentals — Kent State University Division of Graduate Studies
Online Teaching Orientation: Advanced — Credly digital credential, Fall 2020
Clients & Professional Work
The Hudson Players Guild · The Ohio Community Theatre Association · Roughs: Glyphix Studio · Weaver Industries · Encore Theatre Company · Venture Theatre Company · The Paradise Theatre Company
Selected Coverage & Recognition
VCD BFA Show — Broadcast Reporting
2019 coverage of the senior showcase, including my design work and return to college.
Exactly Where She Was Meant to Be — Kent State University
Julia Gray reflects on my teaching, guidance, and VCD247.
VCD Annual Report 2023
Julia Gray’s feature includes discussion of my teaching on page 34.
Meet Julia Gray — Shoutout SoCal
A former student acknowledges my guidance and advice in design.
The Journal — Marietta College, September 2023
Introduction to my role as Instructor of Graphic Design and my educational background.
