Mark Bender

Mark Bender is an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, where he has taught for the past 8 years. Previously, he spent 16 years nurturing artists at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He holds a Master’s in Illustration from Syracuse University, part of the 'Syracuse Syndicate' cohort. His professional career spans over 30 years as an illustrator, with work recognized by major industry publications and societies including Communication Arts Magazine, 3X3 Magazine, and the New York Society of Illustrators.

• Affiliations: Member of the New York Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles Society of Illustrators, and founding member of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators.
• Education: Master’s in Illustration from Syracuse University.

His research interests bridge traditional and digital art practices, emphasizing handcrafted techniques combined with contemporary technology. Bender’s work often focuses on portraiture, editorial illustration, and commercial design, with projects for clients like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Commonwealth Press, and TED LASSO.

Awards & Recognition:

• Gold and Silver Addy Awards
• Golden Quill Awards
• Silver Medals from NY and LA Societies of Illustrators
• Inclusion in Original Art (children’s book illustrations)

Professional Work: Available for freelance projects, with a Behance portfolio showcasing over 65,000 project views. Maintains a personal website (benderillustration.com) and active creative presence.