William Colgrove Headshot

William Colgrove

Assistant Professor, Design

School of Design
College of Art and Design
wfcfaa@rit.edu
Office Hours

By Appointment Only

Office Location
BOO-3420
Office Mailing Address
73 Lomb Memorial Dr. Rochester, NY 14623-5603

William Colgrove

Assistant Professor, Design

School of Design
College of Art and Design

Bio

William is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at RIT and a founder and the Chief Experience Officer of Threespot, a digital strategy and design firm. He is a graduate of RIT with a BFA in Graphic Design and an MFA in Electronic Media Design. 

Early in his career, William’s mentor and moral guidepost, Mach Arom, passed away unexpectedly. This altered how William chose to use his talent and the time he had left; he helped lead Threespot to serve exclusively clients who shared his progressive worldview. While at Threespot, William led redesigns for organizations such as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the National Park Service, and the Smithsonian.

After over twenty-six years of running Threespot and guiding it to become one of the premier social impact agencies, William has returned to teach Graphic Design at his alma mater and help inspire the next generation of change agents.

William’s work has been recognized by prestigious competitions and publications, including Communication Arts, Graphis, HOW, One Show Interactive, Print, and the Webby Awards. His professional speaking engagements have run the gamut, from AIGA National to Creative Mornings to the One Club Educators Summit to several sessions at SXSW Interactive, on topics such as life as a creative and managing challenging personalities, of which he is undoubtedly one.


 

wfcfaa@rit.edu
Personal Links
Curriculum Vitae
LinkedIn

Currently Teaching

GRDE-303
The Untold History of Graphic Design
3 Credits
This course explores the work of historically marginalized designers—women, people of color, and others outside traditional design institutions—emphasizing diversity in design history. Students will examine overlooked contributions through archival research, critical writing, and publication design. Activities include guest lectures, screenings, and visits to collections such as the Cary Graphic Arts Collection and the Vignelli Center for Design Studies. Students will conduct independent and collaborative research, create written and visual content. By course end, students will be able to identify and articulate the impact of underrepresented designers, conduct design-focused historical research, and produce a professionally printed publication which will be nationally distributed. **Fee: A course fee applied via student account**
GRDE-411
Graphic Design Capstone I
3 Credits
Students will identify a topic to research with the objective of bringing innovation or new knowledge to this area. Students will acquire and practice the skills necessary to initiate and complete the research phase. Students will identify faculty and industry experts to serve as advisors providing feedback throughout the semester. At the conclusion of this course, students will write an abstract and submit this to the advisors for approval. The emphasis will be on experimentation, exploration, and development of a wide range of ideas. Cross-discipline capstones may be proposed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
GRDE-412
Graphic Design Capstone II
3 Credits
In this course, students’ working knowledge of graphic design will culminate in a comprehensive capstone project. The content of each capstone project will vary depending upon each students' focus/direction and approval from their instructor. Students will build on previous course work developed in Capstone I. Process and in-progress development is shared via class presentations and a final public exhibition for dissemination. A final formal presentation is required.
GRDE-498
Graphic Design Internship
1-6 Credits
This course exposes students to the professional environment through outside job opportunities in graphic design studios, advertising agencies, corporate communications departments, and other acceptable organizations. Students will work under the guidance of art directors, creative directors, senior graphic designers, or marketing communications managers and perform creative work that is educational and meaningful for their short-term academic goals as well as their long-range career preparation. Documentation of the experience is required and final review from employer is obtained. The appointed faculty adviser will meet with the student upon completion for final evaluation for a grade. Students must obtain pre-approval of their department and complete the Internship Approval Form. Credit earned is used toward elective credits.
GRDE-599
Graphic Design Independent Study
1-6 Credits
Graphic Design Independent Study will provide students with the ability to focus in a specialized area of graphic design with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, will propose a course of study. The independent study student must obtain permission of an instructor and department by completing the Independent Study Proposal Form to enroll.

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