Donald Arday

Donald Arday is a Professor in the School of Art at the College of Art and Design, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He holds a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art and an MFA from Syracuse University. His expertise focuses on illustration, with teaching responsibilities in core illustration courses such as Illustration I, III, and Illustrative Design. His professional practice emphasizes the integration of illustration with typography, layout, and design principles.

Research interests include contemporary illustration methodologies, visual storytelling, and the application of illustration in advertising, book design, and brand identity. His work has been exhibited, including a notable installation at The Geisel Gallery in 2010 titled ‘Face to Face.’

Teaching highlights include guiding students through professional development in illustration, including pricing strategies, project management, and portfolio creation. Current course offerings emphasize design collaboration, media experimentation, and industry-relevant problem-solving.

Featured student projects under his guidance include book illustration, advertising campaigns, and identity design, showcasing his commitment to bridging academic training with professional practice.