Carol Sogard

Professor Carol Sogard serves in the Department of Art & Art History at the University of Utah's College of Fine Arts, where she has taught Graphic Design since 1999 while also chairing the Graphic Design Program. A Michigan native now based in Salt Lake City, she maintains a dual career as principal of Visual Think Design and as a community-engaged artist.

Her research centers on sustainable design practices, particularly addressing plastic waste through reclaimed material artistry. Sogard's work transforms plastic bags into tapestries, furniture, and wallpaper that visualize environmental threats to keystone species and ecosystems. Her artistic process integrates heat fusing, weaving, digital collage, and 19th-century biodiversity references to create layered narratives about consumerism's impact.

Exhibitions of her work span nationwide galleries with recognition from AIGA, Print Magazine, and How Books. Notable projects include the 'Wallpapers for a Dying Planet' series (2021) examining endangered species, 'Point Wilson Artifacts' (2022) documenting ocean debris, and sustainable furniture designs like the Wisdom Chair series (2017). Her catalog design work for Utah Arts & Museums (2015-2018) earned multiple industry awards.

• AIGA National Design Archives honors
• How Magazine International Design Award (2012)
• Print Magazine Regional Design Annual (2010)
• Rockport Publishing features
• Utah Arts Council recognition
• UCDA awards

Sogard's teaching integrates professional practice with environmental advocacy. Her Sustainable Design Practice course partners with the Utah Museum of Fine Arts to create public educational installations. As Creative Director for student publications like 'Sketch School' (2012) and 'What is this? A poster. A book.' (2010), she bridges academic learning with award-winning professional output. Her artistic research directly informs curriculum development in sustainable design methodologies.