Leslie Becker

Leslie Becker is a Professor in the Graphic Design Program at California College of the Arts (CCA). Her work focuses on design ethics, exploring how graphic images shape societal values. She holds a BFA from The Cooper Union, an MFA and PhD in Architecture (Theory & Methods) from UC Berkeley. A former CCA design director, she is an AIGA Fellow and has lectured globally at institutions like Harvard, Tsinghua University, and Saint Louis University. Her publications include contributions to PRINT, Graphis New Talent Design Annual, and Routledge's Design and Ethics. Becker advocates for ethical design practices through pro bono work with nonprofits and cross-cultural pedagogy initiatives.

Education:

• BFA in Graphic Design, The Cooper Union
• MFA in Design, UC Berkeley
• PhD in Architecture (Theory & Methods), UC Berkeley

Research emphasizes design's sociocultural impact, particularly in visual communication and ethical frameworks. She has pioneered discussions on design responsibility through international conferences and academic collaborations. Her 2010 lectures in Beijing and 2012 Melbourne conference presentations underscore her commitment to global design discourse. Current work includes advancing ethical curricula and participatory innovation methodologies.

Awards & Recognition:

• AIGA Fellow (2010s)

Teaching and advising focus on integrating ethics into design education. She has mentored students through CCA's Graphic Design program and contributed to professional development initiatives. Her pro bono projects highlight community engagement, aligning with CCA's mission to foster socially conscious art and design.