Biography of Assistant Professor Michelle Nelson


Michelle Nelson has her MFA in Graphic Design from Indiana University Bloomington, and also holds two bachelor degrees in Graphic Design and Photography from Herron School of Art. She is a practicing Graphic Designer with over fifteen years of experience, and has worked as a professional photographer. As an educator Professor Nelson is passionate about opening her students to new experiences visually. She tirelessly encourages her students to branch off in directions that they have yet to explore visually. 

An expert in the field of typography, Professor Nelson also has experience in print, web, new media, identity systems, font creation, and book design. Her work can be found in the pages of the internationally recognized design magazine Émigré and she has spoken at national conferences on the topic of typography. She is also the designer of the current YSU art department website. Professor Nelson’s scholarly work relates directly to her teaching of typography and font creation.

Professor Nelson has held faculty positions with Northern Arizona University, Eastern Michigan University, University of South Carolina Upstate before joining the faculty at Youngstown State University.