David Shields

David Shields is Professor and former Chair (2012–2021) of Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts. His research examines typographic history through material artifacts and production processes of 19th-century visual culture, bridging academic scholarship and practical design.

Previously at University of Texas at Austin, he curated the Rob Roy Kelly Wood Type Collection and authored a comprehensive 400-page monograph on this collection published by University of Texas Press (2022).

Education includes MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and BFA from Memphis State University.