Nicholas
Rock
Designer, educator, and founder of Station. Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Boston University.
Education
MFA Graphic Design
This graphic design thesis explored the development of a process and methodology for graphic design practice. Under the premise that the process of discovery is a method for communication, I developed a body of work demonstrating this concept across multiple forms of content and media. This thesis culminated in the development of a publication and exhibition of this body of work.
BFA Studio Arts
Professional Practice
Art Director, Designer, Founder
I partner with organizations to articulate a clear vision and mission for their work while leveraging this work to inform strategic objectives and tactics for their brand’s future. The outcome of this work is guiding principles and strategy documentation, including strategic planning and visual branding.
Senior Designer / Web Design Lead
Led graphic design projects for print and web, including branding, website design, promotional materials, editorial publication design, and advertising.
Senior Designer
Led graphic design projects for print and web, including but not limited to: branding, website design, promotional materials, editorial publication design, and advertising.
Designer
Worked on various editorial and visual identity design projects for clients, including Good Magazine, Architecture Research Office, Michael Van Valkenburgh Landscape Architects, and The National MS Society.
Civil Affairs Specialist
Acted as liaison between civilians, military and foreign governments. Responsibilities included negotiating problems in foreign communities and organizing and planning the redevelopment of countries affected by war.
Awards + Exhibitions
Tend — Participatory Exhibition
Gold Award: Packaging
Volunteer of the Year
Form and Pedagogy Book Exhibition and Launch
Best Book Design
Faculty Spotlight
AIGA Best of New England — Design Retrospective Exhibition
AIGA Best of New England — Traveling Design Exhibition
X-Dialogue: For Nature and the Future
Roma per Obama 2012
A Line in the Andes Book Launch + Exhibition of Work
Roma per Obama
Competition Winner, Manifest Hope Competition
Dawdle & Gape
Manifest Hope — Democratic National Convention
Left Right Up Down Under Over
Award for Typographic Excellence
Published in Anthology
Teaching
Associate Professor, Graphic Design · Director of Graduate Studies
Full-time faculty at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts responsible for teaching 15 contact hours per semester; participating in college recruitment and admission processes; serving on School and College-wide committees, and mentoring and advising students through the individual development of projects and skills.
Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
Visiting Critic, Innovation Studio
Critic for final project presentations for an interdisciplinary initiative, co-sponsored by Industrial Design and Landscape Architecture at RISD, that typically tackles large scale environmental or infrastructure problems.
Visiting Critic, BFA Degree Project
Critic for final degree project presentations and reviews of BFA Graphic Design Candidates.
Adjunct Faculty, Graphic Design
Part-time faculty responsible for developing and teaching Typography 1 course.
Adjunct Faculty, Graphic Design
Part-time faculty responsible for teaching multi-week workshop as part of Senior Design Studio course.
Published Abstracts
A project to organize and catalog resources to facilitate specific reference searches and discover experience design information. October 25, 2024.
A research project with the intent of understanding the parallels between chefs and designers. March 16, 2020.
Speaking, Presenting, Participating
Design Incubation Colloquium 11.1: Boston University
Young Ones Student Design Awards, The One Club for Creativity
Startup City Acceleration Program (SCAP)
Design Thinking 2022 Chicago
Young Ones Student Design Awards, The One Club for Creativity
Facilitate, Participate & Interact
RI Design Week 2021
Young Ones Student Design Awards, The One Club for Creativity
“5 Keys to Developing Meaningful Connection and Powerful Cultures Remotely.”
Design Incubation Colloquium 6.3: Fordham University
#InRealLife: Design Thinking Workshop
PeaceLove Storytellers Exhibition
Global Disruptors: Lightning Talks on International Innovations
IDEAS Salon: Mapping the Human Condition
Design Incubation — Graphic Arts in the Liberal Arts
Arts and Ideas in Action: Art + Business + Social Impact
MIY Story Studio
IDEAS Salon: Fruition Labs
What is design really and how to work with designers?
AIGA Best of New England Design Exhibition
Courses Taught
| Course | Sections | Years taught | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directed Study Graphic Design | 25 | 2012–2015, 2017–2018, 2020–2022, 2024–2026 | |
| Junior Graphic Design Studio | 24 | 2011–2012, 2014, 2016, 2020–2026 | |
| Graduate Graphic Design 2 | 20 | 2012–2013, 2015–2016, 2018–2024 | |
| Senior Graphic Design Studio | 11 | 2012–2013, 2016–2018 | |
| Experience Design | 10 | 2012–2013, 2015, 2017, 2020–2024 | |
| Graphic Design: Studio Practice | 10 | 2015–2016, 2020, 2022–2026 | |
| Graphic Design Elective | 6 | 2013–2014, 2022–2025 | |
| Sophomore Graphic Design Studio | 4 | 2015, 2017 | |
| Graduate Typography | 3 | 2017–2019 | |
| Kilachand Keystone Directed Study | 2 | 2016, 2018 | |
| Senior Typography | 2 | 2011 | |
| Visual Arts Summer Institute | 2 | 2013–2014 | |
| Web Design 1 | 2 | 2014 | |
| Graduate Certificate Design Studio | 1 | 2018 | |
| Graduate Graphic Design 1 | 1 | 2015 | |
| Kilachand Honors Project Advisor | 1 | 2015 | |
| Sabbaticals: Spring 2019, Fall 2025. The full version lists every section by term. | |||
Student Mentorship
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
“Framework and Database for Exploring Works of Experience”
Graduate Thesis Supervision
Co-Advised, Outside Graphic Design
Boston University, College of Fine Arts, School of Visual Arts
Academic Service
| Committee or role | Years |
|---|---|
| Director of Graduate Studies, School of Visual Arts | 2020–2026 |
| TA/GA Supervisor, College of Fine Arts | 2025–2026 |
| School of Visual Arts Strategic Planning Committee | 2023 |
| School of Visual Arts Curriculum Committee | 2012–2015, 2019–2022 |
| Strategic Planning Committee | 2015–2016, 2022 |
| College of Fine Arts Executive Committee | 2012–2014, 2019–2021 |
| Co-Chair, Undergraduate Graphic Design | 2019–2021 |
| University Council Committee on Undergraduate Academic Programs & Policies | 2017–2019 |
| Cross College Challenge Committee | 2016–2018 |
| President’s Committee on Entrepreneurship | 2016–2017 |
| School of Visual Arts Admissions and Outreach Committee | 2016–2017 |
| College of Fine Arts Dean’s Task Force | 2015–2016 |
| School of Visual Arts Faculty Search Committee — Sculpture | 2011–2013 |
| College of Fine Arts Academic Conduct Committee | 2012–2013 |
| Faculty Search Committee — Graphic Design | 2012–2013 |
| School of Visual Arts Self Assessment Committee | 2012 |
Professional Memberships
AIGA — The Professional Association for Design
College Art Association
The One Club for Creativity
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