Jacob Ristau

Visual Communication Department
Alumni

Background

Formerly a designer with graphic design studio RBMM in Dallas, Texas, Jacob is currently an Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Redlands in Southern California. His art and teaching orbit the concepts of play and curiosity, manifesting into neo-primitive art of the office and the physical and performative aspects of visual/verbal language (i.e. bookmaking, word art and typography). Jacob's work has been displayed in the pages of Graphis, Print, Communication Arts, Design Issues, and Logo Lounge Vol. 2, and he has works in the permanent collection of the world renowned Joan Flasch Artists Book Collection (Chicago, Ill.)

Personal statement

Play is critical to my work, fundamental in forging novel hybrid concepts and serving viewers’ experiences. Contemporary communication is work in the most boringly urgent sense, which I challenge with play and humor. Doing so initiates a positive interaction of reflection where content inverts itself in viewers' minds. All play can be translated into work, and by an intentional investigation of work in a way that is enjoyable and engaging, my art asks important societal questions regarding the pleasure of rigorous investigation of issues we once thought resolved.

I believe this discipline is valuable in the classroom as well as the design world. I see teaching as a unique opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals interested in design as the interstitial bond between individuals and society, and to encourage my progressive view of textual engagement. The greatest value in learning the skills of how to think, rather than what to think, is an important distinction to me as a teacher and as a designer, which can best be summarized in my desire to teach design practice, rather than simply teach software and a few pre-packaged solutions.

Also, client based work as well as self-initiated work rewards me greatly. By creating assignments that allow personal choices in a determined direction, my students begin to tap their interests and focus their own intentions as communicators. This practice allows designers to enter into close dialogue with outsiders as well as other designers on anything from social/environmental issues to product innovation and invention.

Current Interests

My current designs experiment with the function of written language as a mutable, subjective and open force of sensual experience.

The work embodies written messages in forms that engage the senses in pleasurable and memorable ways, exposing sensory perceptions beyond typical cycles of rote and trite encounters and expanding depth and understanding of mind and body. These objects highlight meaning and intent while providing openness and accessibility through play and humor.

The atypical forms of written language I create apply contemporary concepts and methodologies of interactive multimedia to conventional documents and models of writing by way of a near-zero-point redesign for sensually integrated experience.

Experience at SAIC

Before applying to graduate programs, I can't say that I understood myself and my thoughts on design with enough clarity to know what would be my best graduate school environment. But, SAIC ended up being the absolute best place for me to be. The School helped me find myself, and consequently helped me acknowledge my place and direction in the art/design community. One of the major strengths of the program is its diversity—both in professorial relationships, but also in methodologies and media. I now not only have direction, but also the skills and confidence to realize my ambition as an artist and designer.