Rebecca Tegtmeyer

Rebecca Tegtmeyer is a graphic design educator and practitioner. Through her active research, writing, making, and teaching agendas she investigates the role of a designer and the creative process through a variety of forms. Working both individually and collaboratively, she approaches design as a catalyst in facilitating systems that challenge and inspire—further extending the capabilities and responsibilities of a designer in today’s complex world. Current collaborative research projects focus on prioritizing the student experience and strengthening the values of design education. Her solo work examines sewing as a design practice, challenging the technical tools, consumerism, and patriarchal systems in design production. This practice results in data visualizations that bring awareness to the inequities of motherhood and reproductive rights. Her essay about this practice, “On Designing with Authenticity Over Perfection,” is in the publication, Feminist Designer, published by MITPress in 2023. Additionally, Rebecca is co-author and co-editor of Collaboration in Design Education, published by Bloomsbury Academic in 2020 and Guiding Principles for Inclusive Design Values: Reimagining Design Practice and Education published by Rockport/Quarto for release in Spring 2026. Rebecca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art, Art History and Design and recently served at the Associate Chair of the Department. She teaches undergraduates and graduates in the areas of interaction design, motion design, typography, user experience and branding design. She is an active contributor to both the BFA in Graphic Design curriculum and the BA in Experience Architecture degree program. Her research has been presented and published at several international and national venues organized by the highest-ranking organizations in the design field such as: UCDA (University and College Designers Association), Cumulus Association (International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media), DRS (Design Research Society), EAD (European Academy of Design), CAA (College Arts Association) and AIGA National + Design Educators Community. Rebecca is a three-time alumni of DesignInquiry, a non-profit educational organization devoted to researching design issues in intensive team-based gatherings. She is a former member of the organizing committee for MODE (Motion Design Education) Summit and the AIGA Design Educators Community (DEC) Steering Committee. Recent artist residencies include Vermont Studio Center and Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She exhibits her work both nationally and internationally, with work contributed to the 4th Porto Design Biennale in 2025. Rebecca holds a BFA in Visual Communication from the University of Kansas and a Master of Graphic Design (MGD) from NC State University College of Design.