about

Brandon Olsen is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor at Iowa State University. Brandon specializes in brand strategy, identity design, and environmental graphics and his practice focuses on graphic designs ability to respond to uncertainty. He received an MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BS in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University. He was formerly a Partner & Design Director at X-Identity in Detroit and has worked at IA Interior Architects and Harley Ellis Devereaux. Brandon has also taught design courses in RISD's Department of Interior Architecture and Lawrence Tech's College of Architecture & Design.

Always looking for new collaborations:
brandontolsen@gmail.com
COURSES TAUGHT:
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
Graphic Design Methodology, Fall 2023
Placemaking & Branded Experience, Spring 2023
Typography II, Spring 2023
Graphic Design Studio II, Spring 2023
Graduate Graphic Design Studio I, Fall 2022
Typography I, Fall 2022 & Fall 2023
Design Studies, Fall 2022 & Fall 2023

LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
‍Graphic Design Senior Thesis II, Spring 2022
Graphic Design Senior Thesis I, Fall 2021
Design Principles, Fall 2021

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Portfolio Preparation & Production, Winter 2017 & Winter 2018‍

TEACHING ASSISTANT:
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Identity Design, Fall 2017
‍Design Studio II, Spring 2017
Design Studio I, Fall 2016
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LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Structures IV, Fall 2013
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SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2018
Play, Practice, Prototype, Critique, RISD Graphic Design Triennial, Woods-Gerry Gallery, Providence, Rhode Island.
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Surface Levels, RISD Graduate Exhibition, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island.

2017
Vernacular Spectacular, Gelman Gallery at RISD Museum, Providence, Rhode Island.
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To Whom It May Concern, RISD MFA Graphic Design Biennial, Sol Koffler Gallery, Providence, Rhode Island.
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2016
X,Y, and Z: Graphic Design in Space, Expose Gallery, Providence, Rhode Island.

2015
Reanimate the Ruins, Parallel Projections Design Competition & Finalist Exhibition, Detroit Future Cities, Detroit, Michigan.‍

LECTURES:
2018
Rhode Island School of Design, MFA Candidate, Public Thesis Defense.
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2017
Rhode Island School of Design, MFA Candidate, Public Position Presentation.
Graphic designer & educator based in Ames, Iowa. Always looking for new collaborations. Email me at brandontolsen@gmail.com