As a graphic artist, it's important to learn from those who have mastered the art of visual communication. Nossi College of Art’s innovative Associate and Bachelor of Graphic Arts programs are taught by current leading professionals, instructing relevant projects in graphic design, web design and advertising. Helping students perform at a high level – increasing their opportunity for success in a demanding industry, is the objective of the college and these instructors.
The challenges that are presented to our students are why many have been recognized by their peers and the design industry with such awards as the Student Addy Awards, sponsored by the American Advertising Federation. Take a look at the gallery of work and judge for yourself the level of work our students produce.
Browse through their profiles below to follow their career paths or look at the accolades they offer the school's credentials as a whole. See for yourself why Nossi is the best choice for improving your chances at becoming a creative professional.
Bruce Stanley
- Biography: Bruce Stanley, Sr. Faculty/Graphic Design Coordinator, relishes every part of the creative process and believes everyone is creative and has something to contribute. He says, “Creativity isn’t a talent, it’s an obligation. True collaboration and integrated perspective is the only way to be successful.” After graduating Middle Tennessee State University with a BFA in Graphic Design, Bruce served 16 years in the Nashville advertising community with leading agencies such as redpepper, White Thompson, Dye VanMol & Lawrence, Bohan and Carden & Cherry and has received multiple accolades such as Addy, Telly and London International awards. He has worked with such prestigious brands as Jack Daniels, HCA, John Deere, The NHL, The AFL, The NFL, CAO Cigars, Kirkland’s, CaseMate, Purity, Averitt, and others. Bruce is a Designer, Art Director and Creative Director. It is his approach to foster an environment where talented people can take ownership in their creativity and personal growth. Challenging people to reach their potential is his true value as a Educator and Mentor. Aligning people to be in-tune with their creative potential and being a persistent coach to achieve desired goals is his talent. Having hard conversations about today’s advertising industry is what he would like to be remembered by.
- Website: caretocreate.com
- Twitter: bsimage
Steve LaSuer
- Biography: Mr. LaSuer is a graduate of Amercian Academy of Art in Chicago, IL. Before accepting a teaching position at Nossi College of Art, Mr. LaSuer was employed as Art Supervisor for United Methodist Publishing House, as Designer for Keller Crescent Ad Agency, and Manager and Art Supervisor for Genesco Printing. He is an active member of the Creative Forum, and served on the Education Committee of the Nashville Advertising Federation.
Mark Fleming
- Biography: After a successful eight-year run at J. C. Bradford & Co., Mark Fleming left his position as Manager of Marketing Services to start Creative Avenue, a venture fulfilling his vision to bring fine artists, graphic designers, and web designers together under one roof. Mark Fleming's passion for the arts began in his childhood. Belonging to the generation inspired by Star Wars, Mark credits the film with instilling in him a love for creative imagery coupled with exacting detail. These values carried into his education as he was honored as "Best Portfolio" graduate at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Today, Mark Fleming meets the challenges of a changing industry by staying current in various graphic design, web design, and video editing software programs and by building connections with artists throughout Nashville ranging from designers to musicians. Also, Mark teaches design students at the Nossi College of Art, helping influence the next generation of commercial artists.
Website: www.creativeavenue.com
Neely Catignani
- Biography: Neely Catignani is a Designer and Art Director in Nashville, TN. After receiving her formal art education from Middle Tennessee State University, she joined the redpepper team where she has worked on a diverse range of projects and clients with a colorful collective of colleagues. Neely has a passion for the sound of independent music, the taste of unfamiliar foods, and the smell of ink on paper.
Ken Maynard
- Ken Maynard - BS in Communications
- Biography: Ken is a freelance graphic designer and has operated his own studio, The Mayn Idea, for most of the last 15 years. Since graduating from MTSU, Ken has created projects for clients such as George Jones, Alan Jackson, Audio One, Emerald Studios, The U.S. Air Force Academy, Gaylord Entertainment, The Christian Country Music Association, D'Angelico Guitars, SAE Institute, Levy's Menswear, The United Methodist Church and others. Additionally, he has worked as a Pre-Press Manager for a large printing company, as Art Director/Production Manager for an international music industry publication and as Communications Director for a large church in Colorado Springs, CO. Outside of the design world, Ken enjoys hiking & mountain biking, spending time volunteering in various capacities and serving as a regional mentor and coach for The Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Hugh Shelton
- Biography: With 30 years experience in graphic design and printing, Hugh started in his early teens by doing line art for the newspaper where his parents still live in west Tennessee. His freelance work ranges from portraits to conceptual design and from comic-art seminars to set design. Starting at the service bureau at MTSU, his employment has included layout artist, graphic designer for marketing agencies and graphics director/manager at several print shops. He began teaching at Nossi in 1998, and he teaches two nights a week. Currently, he is art director for a Christian Country music magazine in Nashville.
Keith Wood
- Biography: Mr. Wood is currently working as a Senior Graphic Designer in the office of Creative Services at Vanderbilt University. Before coming to Vanderbilt, Mr. Wood worked for 15 years as a preliminary craftsman at R.R. Donnelly and Sons. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University.
Beth Rogers
- Biography: A graduate of Nossi College of Art. Beth has worked as the lead graphic designer for a Nashville based company doing work for companies such as Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort), Diagio (Tanquerey, Jose Cuervo), Bacardi USA and Hilton Hotels. She demonstrates software techniques at SIGGRAPH, the international software exposition, each year for e-On Software. She has worked as tech editor for software manuals and has been a contributor to industry publications. In 2008 Beth created The Orion Agency, specializing in marketing and media.
Ted Glaser
- Biography: Award-winning designer with vast experience in the graphic design and production fields. I have over 6 years of college, 2 of those years in production management and 4 years of design. I have worked extensively in the design and print production fields producing all manner of printed and product-oriented materials as well as, 10 years design experience as an Art Director for an on-line editorial magazine and 8 years as an Art Director for a product catalog company. I have directed the illustration, design, photography and production of periodical publications, catalogs, brochures, sales slicks, direct mail, t-shirts, greeting cards, posters, NCR order forms, presentation graphics just to name a few.
Kimberly Levitan
- Biography: Kimberly Levitan began studying graphic design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and continued her education at Cal Arts in Los Angeles, California. She is a freelance graphic designer with over 15 years experience and a focus on the music industry. She has designed numerous ad packages, advertisement, promotional materials and logos for major music labels and artists.
Paul Edoho-Eket
- Biography: Paul's past occupations have included assistant coordinator of Media Services at Fisk University as well as Graphic and Visual Arts Teacher at multiple public and private non-profit institutions. Additionally, the past 7 years until current Paul has been freelancing graphic and web design; subcontracting work to 3 prominent design firms, as well as small businesses and local Universities.
Website: www.paule-e.com
Laura Medeiros
- Laura Medeiros - M.Ed, BFA
- Biography: Online Coordinator. Laura graduated from California College of the Arts with a BFA in Graphic Design. While a professional designer she created works for print and early Web pages. She began her teaching career in corporate training, focusing on primary computer usage and the Microsoft Office Suite. She earned her M.Ed. from TSU. She has taught elementary art, and for the Tennessee Regents Online Degree Program.
Tarry Nwaise
- Biography: With more than 22 years of experience in the design industry, Tarry Nwaise is passionate about visual communication. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Pratt Institute School of Art and Design in Brooklyn, New York, ’88. She has worked in various ad agencies, design firms and publishers in New York City before returning to Nashville in 1994. Since her return to Nashville, she has freelanced for several corporate clients and worked for United Methodist Publishing and Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals. She has previously taught Graphic Design and Typography at Watkins College of Art and Design and Nashville State Community College. She is currently the Art Director at Meharry Medical College and is pursuing an MFA in Web Design and New Media.
