A Q&A with Graphic Design’s Alison Place

Alison Place
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design,
School of Art 

In this conversation, Place talks about her research in feminism and design, her forthcoming book and the podcast she’s launching this spring, her passion for her students and how resilient they are, the way design can be a powerful tool for social justice, her love of hiking with her daughter and partner, and how inspiring she finds mothers in academia.  

Q: Tell us a little about your research, academic passions and/or role within the college. What excites you about this? 

My research is about feminism and design. We don’t often think about the ways that designed objects, spaces and systems perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes and uphold systems of oppression.  

Right now, I’m writing a book about the ways in which feminist theory can inform design methods and frameworks to allow designers to have a greater impact on issues of social justice. 

Q: How long have you been at Fulbright College? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?  

This is my third year teaching in Fulbright College, and what I love most about it is the students.   

They’ve demonstrated incredible resilience over the past year, and they’re more committed than ever to making the world a better place. 

Q: What do you most hope your students remember from their classes and/or interactions with you?  

I hope my students leave the graphic design program knowing that design is political; it can be a powerful tool for social justice, and they have the knowledge and skills to be agents of change. 

Q: What do you like to do during your time outside of the university? 

I serve on the national board for the AIGA Design Educators Community, which represents design educators from K-12 to college.  

I am also helping to found a local organization called Ozark Circle for Choice, which supports reproductive justice in Northwest Arkansas.  

I like to spend my free time with my partner, my daughter and our dog. We love to go hiking together, and we’re slowly making our way through all the trails around Northwest Arkansas (there are so many!). 

I am also a certified yoga teacher and, although I’m not teaching yoga right now, I love to take classes at Trailside Yoga. 

Q: What’s up next on the horizon for you? 

Right now, I am working on a book about feminist design, which is slated for publication through MIT Press in 2023.  

In conjunction with writing the book, I am also launching a podcast this spring called Feminist Designer, @feministdesigner which will feature conversations and interviews about the personal and the political in design. 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add or let readers know?

I’m a new mother on the tenure track, which is a challenging line to walk, to say the least.  

I want to send love and solidarity to all mothers in academia and say thank you for inspiring me every day to keep going.