About

Jeremy Swanston is a graphic designer, educator, and design researcher whose work explores the intersection of graphic design, community engagement, and interdisciplinary scholarship. His creative practice is grounded in the belief that design is more than a means of visual communication—it is a method of collaborative inquiry capable of generating knowledge, strengthening civic participation, and addressing complex social challenges.

Swanston serves as Associate Professor, Area Head of Graphic Design, and Director of Graduate Studies for the Studio Division in the School of Art, Art History, and Design at the University of Iowa. His research integrates human-centered and participatory design methodologies with collaborators across counseling, educational policy, public health, engineering, physics and astronomy, and the humanities. Through these partnerships, he develops visual systems, digital experiences, and community-engaged research initiatives that position design as an integral part of the research process rather than simply a means of communicating research outcomes.

His interdisciplinary work includes federally and foundation-funded collaborations addressing mental health, HIV and substance use prevention, STEM education, and community engagement. Projects such as Project PEER, PEARLS, Project Perry/Proyecto Perry, SO.BE Stories, and Photovoice initiatives with underserved communities demonstrate how design can facilitate dialogue, reduce stigma, strengthen partnerships, and create opportunities for communities to shape their own narratives.

Before entering academia, Swanston spent nearly two decades as a professional designer in Washington, D.C., where he worked for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the U.S. Government Publishing Office. His clients included the United States Congress, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and numerous federal agencies. His work included the development of national branding initiatives, strategic communications campaigns, and the design of materials for the 2013 U.S. Presidential Inauguration.

Swanston's scholarship and creative work have been supported by internal and external funding and recognized through national and international exhibitions, presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and professional design awards. Across his research, teaching, leadership, and professional practice, he is committed to advancing graphic design as a socially engaged discipline that brings together communities, researchers, and students to create meaningful and lasting impact.