Justin Childress

Justin Childress

Justin Childress

Clinical Assistant Professor

Office Location: Owens Art Center, Ste. 3508

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Education

  • MFA in Visual Communication, Texas A&M University—Commerce

  • BFA in Communication Design, Texas Christian University

Biography

Justin Childress is a Clinical Assistant Professor for SMU’s Master of Arts in Design and Innovation graduate program, which is supported by both the Lyle School of Engineering and the Meadows School of the Arts. He received his MFA with an emphasis in design pedagogy from Texas A&M University—Commerce, where his thesis work explored how interactive tools can influence hazard projection and route planning by cyclists who depend on bicycle-specific roadways. Currently, he teaches classes on digital UX/UI design, critical approaches to the visual environment, design and innovation studio methodologies, the professional practice of design, and the context and impact of design. He has received fellowships, residencies, and grants from SMU, The National Endowment for the Arts, and The Dallas Cultural Plan. Prior to SMU he was active in the private sector as an interactive designer, developer, and creative director, and maintains a consulting partner role at Switch, a strategic branding and interactive design studio based in Dallas.

Honors and Awards

  • National Endowment for the Arts
    AVDD Artist Competition Grant, in cooperation with bcWorkshop

  • City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs
    Cultural Plan Micro-Residency Award, in collaboration with Gray Garmon

  • Princeton Architectural Press
    Published works, Posters for Change

Research

  • Human-Centered Design: methods, ethics, and social impact
  • User experience and interface design
  • Urban movement and micro-transportation
  • Community-audited public spaces
  • Art and technology symbiotics
  • Design/build pedagogy

Recent Workshops and Conference Presentations

  • (Upcoming 10/23) ReVIEWING: International Conference on Black Mountain College
    Presentation: “Beyond Two Cultures: Exploring the Legacy of Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) and its Influence on Cross-Disciplinary Learning”

  • Future of Design in Higher Education: 2023 Convening
    Workshop: “DreamUp: A Game of Creative Collaboration”

  • SMU Summit: Digital Interactions, Interfaces and Experiences
    Presentation, with Jessica Burnham: “Human-Centered Design for Digital Interfaces”

  • The City of Dallas Office of Innovation
    Workshop: “ReForm: Designing Usable and Accessible Forms That Enable Community Impact”

  • American Planning Association: Annual Texas State Planning Conference
    Presentation/panel: “Community-Audited Public Spaces

Personal Website

justinchildress.co