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Michael Campbell

University of Colorado at Boulder

Art Director

I grew up in the great city of Chicago, and one of my earliest creative influences was my aunt, Margaret Mary Campbell, a graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, who was a fashion illustrator at Carson Pirie Scott and Marshall Field's in the 1950s and 60s. I always thought her job -- and life -- was so interesting and exotic. It no doubt propelled me to major in fine arts at Southern Illinois University. I graduated in 1976 with a BFA.

My actual career path started in the weekly newspaper business, where I was an 'art director,' which meant I did a little of everything. I came from the ancient world of border tape, PMTs, and paste up. But it gave me a valuable education in publication design, production, and printing -- a skill set that I still rely on to this day. I didn't see my first computer (MAC) until I had been at CU-Boulder for two years! I never looked back. Today, of course, I don't go anywhere without my laptop and iphone!

I've been at CU for almost 21 years, mainly in print, and in that time I've pretty much done it all -- from postcards to catalogs, and everything in between. I don't do as much designing these days, but I do work with a talented and veteran staff of designers and photographers, who always make me look good. I also taught publication design for six years, which was one of the most exhausting, and exhilarating things I've ever done. For most of my time here I've been connected to UCDA, and it has enabled me to see much of the country. I am grateful. As an aging (gracefully) designer, I need it more than ever.

When I'm not working, I'm trying to get my adult children through college. I'm also an aspiring botanical illustrator, having just graduated from The Denver Botanical Gardens Art and Illustration program (www.botanicalillustration.blogspot.com). And, living in Colorado, I have always been a not-so-avid fly fisherman. Im working on that.