about

Brandon Olsen is a midwestern designer and educator who is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor of Graphic Design at Iowa State University and maintains an independent design practice, Ordered Mass. He specializes in identity design and environmental graphics and has worked in design and architecture firms in Chicago and Detroit. His research and practice focuses on the relationship between graphic design, place, and three-dimensional space. His work has been included in Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year and in AIA Detroit’s Emerging Designer Spotlight. He received an MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BS in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University and has taught design courses at both universities.

Professional Practice Portfolio
Student Work Portfolio  
COURSES TAUGHT:
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
Graphic Design Methodology, Fall 2023
Placemaking & Branded Experience, Spring 2023 & 2024
Typography II, Spring 2023 & 2024
Graphic Design Studio II, Spring 2023
Graduate Graphic Design Studio I, Fall 2022
Typography I, Fall 2022 & 2023
Design Studies, Fall 2022, Fall 2023 & Spring 2024

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 & 2018

TEACHING ASSISTANT:
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Identity Design, Fall 2017
Design Studio II, Spring 2017
Design Studio I, Fall 2016

LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Structures IV, Fall 2013
EXHIBITIONS:
2023
Beyond Boundaries Invitational Exhibition, Visual Arts Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

2022
Encounter, Buddy at the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, Illinois.

2019
Future Focus Exhibition, AIA Detroit Celebration of Architecture, Eastern Market Shed 3, Detroit, Michigan.

2018
Play, Practice, Prototype, Critique, RISD Graphic Design Triennial, Woods-Gerry Gallery, Providence, Rhode Island.

Surface Levels, RISD Graduate Exhibition, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island.

2017
Vernacular Spectacular, Gelman Gallery at RISD Museum, Providence, Rhode Island.

To Whom It May Concern, RISD MFA Graphic Design Biennial, Sol Koffler Gallery, Providence, Rhode Island.

Future Focus Exhibition, AIA Detroit Celebration of Architecture, Eastern Market Shed 3, Detroit, Michigan.


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.