Jody Graff is an Associate Professor in the Graphic Design program in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University. She has taught in the program since 1998 and served as Program Director from 2007-17. The range of coursework Jody teaches reflects the work she pursues in her private practice and includes wayfinding, exhibition design, book design, branding and packaging. The coursework she has developed engages students in graphic design research and service partnerships both local and global. Jody has also collaborated and co-taught interdisciplinary coursework with other Drexel University programs and local partners.
Prior to teaching at Drexel, Jody served as Art Director for the New York Hall of Science, Art Director/Designer at Hanley-Wood, Inc. in Washington, DC, and as a Designer at Dentsu in NYC while maintaining a successful private practice. A client list includes: The Brooklyn Historical Society, Cascade Linen and Uniform Service, Drexel University, Historical Society of Princeton, Morris Museum, Tribute WTC 9/11 Visitor Center, and Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center. Her work has been recognized with several awards and her teaching has been recognized with an Instructor Gold Medal Award by Graphis. Jody’s passion for the power of design to celebrate and elevate the human condition comes through in both her private work and in the classroom.
BS, Graphic Design
2023 Suboart Magazine #10, September 2023
International publication featuring emerging artists, 48 international artists included, featured on a 2-page spread (pages 80-81). Three artworks included.
2023 Season 19 Manifest Exhibition Annual
Hardcover publication that features all artwork exhibited at Manifest Gallery in Cincinatti, OH during season 19. One artwork included.
2013 Graphic Design School: The Principles and Practice of Graphic Design, 5th Edition
Graphic Design School focuses on instructing students to develop core competencies while understanding how these fundamentals translate into new and evolving media. The INK NOT INK logo was used as an example in Part 1 PRINCIPLES, Unit 4: Fundamentals of Color in the module speaking about Color Associations.
WHY NOT I | 2020-present
Multimedia artwork that is inspired by my joy, curiosity and awe of nature using collected botanical materials and exploring the finished pieces at multiple scales. The materials are sometimes tied to the specific location where they were collected, which is then explored in the composition (a range of historical patterns, abstract compositions based on details found on the site, and physical land markers). Other times the materials are selected for their innate qualities and not tied to location. The collected leaves reflect the conditions of a specific season and particular environmental conditions of that time period. Drought, late season rains [resulting in leaf spotting], insect damage, and the particular way the sun was hitting leaves are all visible in the material and add a deeper connection to place and time. Components in all series are hand-cut and individually placed and secured. The work has a slow and meditative quality with each cut affecting the next piece and cut. The pace allows a more intimate connection to the materials and, in the collected botanicals, the time to select each unique piece. I am as invested in the process and discovery as I am in the final outcome.
Suboart Magazine #10, September 2023; International | International publication featuring emerging artists, 48 artists included, featured on a 2-page spread (pages 80-81). Three artworks included. (2023)
Magnitude Seven: 19th Annual Small Works Exhibit; Cincinatti, OH | An exhibit of works from across the U.S. and England each no larger than about 7” in size at Manifest Gallery, June 2-30, 2023. 15 artists and 27 works exhibited. Two-part juried process. One artwork included. (2023)
–Artwork included in the season 19 Manifest Exhibition Annual hardcover publication [in-process, available 2024]
–Common Ground #26: Manifest Exhibiting Artists Panel Talk, zoom-based panel talk featuring artists showing in Manfest Gallery’s June exhibits, June 29, 2023
Walking the Edge; Philadelphia, PA | A communal display on the experience of walking in nature, curated by Jacques-Jean Tiziou of “Walk Around Philadelphia” at the Schuylkill Center Gallery and online January 26-April 1, 2023 One artwork included. (2023)
Present Tense: Drexel Art Now; Philadelphia, PA | 2023
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design faculty and staff exhibition, curated by Alex Baker, Director of the Fleisher/Ollman Gallery at the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery, January 11-March 30, 2023. Four artworks included.
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show | 2018
Exhibited six paper sculpture pieces in the Westphal College booth
Dear Fleisher, 4 x 6 Inches of Art | 2012
Invited to participate in “Dear Fleisher, 4x6 Inches of Art” a biennial fundraising exhibition showcasing the work
of hundreds of artists from Philadelphia and beyond.