Shawn M. McKinney

Shawn M. McKinney is a graphic design academic with multiple adjunct professor roles at St. Edward’s University (since 2018), Austin Community College (since 2012), and the Savannah College of Art and Design (since 2009). He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the California Institute of the Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Tulane University. His career spans teaching, design consulting, and creative direction with a focus on digital skills, typography ethics, and interdisciplinary design practices.

Research interests include the intersection of graphic design with literary and artistic traditions, digital copyright issues, and pedagogical approaches to visual communication. Notable works include a foreword for The Strategic Designer (2011) and essays exploring Oulipo literary techniques and Art Nouveau poster design.

Awards include an Honorable Mention in the Ellen Hansen Memorial Show (1993). Professional affiliations include AIGA (1999–2005) and AEJMC (1999–2005), where he contributed to panels on digital skills and media ethics. His teaching spans institutions in the U.S. and New Zealand, reflecting a global perspective on design education.