Tom Elder Senior Professorial Lecturer CAS | ART | Art

Degrees: MFA, Graphic Design
Bio: Tom Elder is Senior Professorial Lecturer teaching Graphic Design. He earned an MFA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University. Elder has been professionally creating traditional graphic design, hand-drawn typography, custom-signage, and 3D digital art during his design career. Some of his expertise includes consultation for physical accessibility to structures and the use of Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design (ADASAD). His work is acknowledged in Access for Everyone: A Guide to the Accessibility of Buildings and Sites with References to ADASAD, Osterberg, A. E., & Kain, D. J. (2010). His perspective piece “Which is Worse: Comic Sans or Papyrus?” was featured in American magazine. Tom advocates ethical A.I. practices with conference experience to Researched-Based User Experience - Practical A.I. for UX.

In past projects, Tom was one of the original consultants for Adventure Island Playground; the first accessibly designed playground located in Meridian, Idaho; he also designed the original entrance sign for the playground. Tom also designed City Centre Garage signage on 9th and Front, Boise, Idaho including the interior signage structure. He also designed and planned the location of exterior wayfinding to the College of Idaho and some informational direction signs for the City of Nampa, Idaho. He is also an accomplished label designer using hand-drawn and digital lettering techniques for his designs. Tom also creates artwork in virtual 3D creating 3D rendered art that has been curated and exhibited in select national exhibitions.

Tom is a staunch advocate for Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design, ADASAD; which is accessible in physical design. I was the lead designer developing Adventure Island Playground, located in Meridian, Idaho, or Settlers Park, which stands as Idaho's first inclusive accessible playground.
Drawing inspiration from one of the earliest accessible playgrounds in the country, Hadley's Park in Potomac, Maryland, he contributed significantly to the creation of the playground and the meticulous implementation of ADASAD guidelines, graphic design elements, and large-scale gateway signage.

Tom is a First Nations voting member of The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and grew up on Indigenous Reservation land which includes the Flathead Reservation, and Fort Peck Reservation, located in the state of Montana. Tom uses these life experiences to teach principles of racism, support Indigenous causes, and teaching of #NotYourMascot to share understanding, and outreach with speaking engagements and juried Conferences.

See Also: Which is Worse: Comic Sans or Papyrus?; LinkedIn
For the Media: To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.; AU Experts

Profile Thomas Elder

You are here: American University College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Profile Page

Tom Elder Senior Professorial Lecturer CAS | ART | Art

Teaching

Fall 2024

Spring 2025