ERIK A. EVENSEN
  • About
    • Bio
    • CV
    • Research
  • Teaching
  • Design
    • Logofolio
  • Illustration
  • Comics
  • Contact
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EDUCATION

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MFA in Design, 2009 
Visual Communication Design,
Design Research & Development

Ohio State University,
​Columbus, OH
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PBCert, 2005
Post-baccalaureate certificate
​in Studio Art (drawing & painting)

School of the Museum of Fine Arts 
​
at Tufts University, Boston, MA
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BA in Studio Art, 2001
Drawing & Painting focus
University of New Hampshire,
​Durham, NH

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN–STOUT | Menomonie, WI
Associate Professor, 2018–present (tenured 2019)
Assistant Professor, 2013–2018
Department of Design | School of Art and Design 
Primary teaching duties in design drawing, concept art, and digital illustration. Graduate teaching duties have included seminar courses in design research, design education, and thesis prep. Director of the MFA in Design program.
 
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | Columbus, OH
Visiting Faculty & Design Foundations Coordinator, 2012–2013
Department of Design | College of Arts and Sciences
One-year appointment teaching graphic design, typography, 2D & 3D foundations, design drawing, and the design foundations combined lecture class for all first-year students in Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design. Served as primary instructor for all first-year pre-Design students and teaching mentor for graduate associates and adjunct faculty.

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY | Bemidji, MN
Adjunct Faculty, 2010–2011  
School of Technology, Art, and Design 

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | Columbus, OH
Graduate Teaching Associate, 2007–2009
Department of Design | College of the Arts
 
YORK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Wells, ME
Adjunct Faculty, 2005–2006
Department of Digital Media

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

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AIGA 
American Institute
​for Graphic Arts
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IDSA 
Industrial Designers
​Society of America
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​CSS 
​The Comics Studies
​Society 
(founding member)

CREATIVE PRACTICE

EVENSEN CREATIVE | consultancy 
Principal / Independent Consultant, 2006–present
Independent creative consultancy; creative direction, graphic design, branding, illustration, concept visualization, and front-end ideation & research. Independent and contract work in graphic design and advertising, industrial design, architecture, and film & entertainment. Corporate clients have included Wells Fargo, Procter & Gamble, Captivate Network, AirTran, the Sanford Center, and the Python Software Foundation; Educational clients have included the University of New Hampshire, Penn State University, Ohio State University, and Philips Exeter Academy; Arts/Entertainment clients have included the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, the award-winning 2007 documentary Dirty Country, the short films Discrepancy, Glue Man, and Star and the Snowman, and the Found Footage Festival touring comedy/media show.

IDW PUBLISHING | San Diego, CA
Illustrator, freelance/recurring, 2014–2018
Illustration for the Ghostbusters and Back to the Future comic book series

PHUSE | Toronto, ON
Designer, freelance/recurring, 2010–2012

VITAL | Portsmouth, NH | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA
Senior Designer, 2005-2006
Senior position at design/marketing agency featured on the Inc 5000 four years in a row, listed again by Inc as one of America's “Best Places to Work,” and listed as “Coolest Company for Young Professionals” by Business NH Magazine. Position included advertising, branding, and project management for clients including Keller Williams, George Mason University, Portsmouth Magazine, the New Hampshire Film Festival, Manhattan Short Film Festival, and the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, as well as local law firms, retail, consultancy, and B2B clients.

CONNECTION | Merrimack, NH 
Graphic Designer, 2002-2005
Part of a 25-person internal creative advertising department in a Fortune 1000, Inc. 500 IT company, formerly known as PC Connection. Individually responsible for advertising campaigns worth approximately $1.85M per quarter, for catalog publications with a circulation of about 400 million. Designed & developed advertising, directed photo shoots, and produced custom illustration work for 4 regular catalogs, seasonal materials, and campaigns. Notable projects include nationally recognized illustrated advertisements, animated venue advertising for the Boston Bruins/TD BankNorth Garden and New England Patriots, the creation of an ongoing comic strip for PEAK-award-winning Connect Magazine, and serving on corporate branding team.

THIRD–GENERATION DESIGN | Durham, NH
Junior Designer, 2001–2002
Design and production assistance of CD-ROM e-learning materials for Scholastic, Heinemann, and McGraw-Hill. Position was contract-based and concurrent with internship.

BROWN & COMPANY DESIGN | Portsmouth, NH
Internship, January–December, 2001

UNIVERSITY of NEW HAMPSHIRE | Durham, NH
Student Designer, 1999–2001

GRANTS + RECOGNITION

GRANTS
UW–Stout internal funding
  • Professional Development Grant, UW–Stout Department of Design, 2019
  • Professional Development Grant, UW–Stout Department of Design, 2016
  • Just-in-time Travel Grant, University of Wisconsin–Stout, 2014
  • Faculty Start-up Grant, University of Wisconsin–Stout, 2013
McKnight Individual Artist Grant, MN Region 2 Arts Council, 2012
Community Arts Support Grant, MN Region 2 Arts Council (for BACB), 2012
Bemidji Area Arts Endowment Grant, Northwest MN Foundation (for BACB), 2012
International Travel Grant, Ohio State University College of the Arts, 2008
Xeric Foundation Award & Publication Grant, 2007
Post-Baccalaureate Grant, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, 2004
AWARDS + RECOGNITION
ACADEMIC
Outstanding Teaching Award, University of Wisconsin–Stout College of Arts, Communications, Humanities, and Social Sciences, 2022
Sabbatical, full-year, University of Wisconsin–Stout, 2020–2021
Faculty Ally, UW–Stout Qube, 2019
Nominee, Outstanding Graduate Faculty, University of Wisconsin–Stout, 2018
Phi Kappa Phi (collegiate honor society), 2008
OSU Graduate Representative, AIGA Social Studies Conference, 2008
Graduate Teaching Associateship, The Ohio State University, 2008

CREATIVE
Winner, Golden Meeple Award, (for Distilled), 2021 
Finalist, Cardboard Edison Award, (for Distilled), 2021
Finalist, Ion Award, (for Distilled), 2021
Finalist, Next Generation Indie Book Awards (for Super-powered Word Study), 2011
Hotshot of the Week, comicrelated.com, 2007
Xeric Foundation Award & Publication Grant (for Gods of Asgard), 2007 
In-House Design Award, Graphic Design USA, 2005

RESEARCH

Published Illustration
​Board Games
  • Distilled, Paverson Games (forthcoming, 2022)
  • ​Marrying Mr. Darcy, Erika Svanoe Games, 2014
 
Books
  • '90s Kids, Savy Leiser, Muse Media Publishing, cover illustration, 2021
  • What the Fuzz: Survival Stories of a Minor League Mascot, Daniel Ruefman, Adelaide Books, cover illustration, 2021
  • Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek, Courtney Brandt, Muse Media Publishing, cover illustration, 2020
  • Twin Peaks: Glorious & Bizarre, Eva Minguet, Monsa Publishing, featured interior illustration, 2018
  • Pudgie Revolution 2: Unlocking your Pie Iron's Potential, Jared Pierce, Carrie Simon, Liv Svanoe (Rome Industries), full book design & illustration, 2017
  • The Devil's Punch-bowl, Isabelle Waterman, Dunn County Historical Society, cover & interior, 2017
  • Pudgie Revolution! Pie-Iron Cooking for Food-loving Campers, Jared Pierce, Carrie Simon, Liv Svanoe (Rome Industries), interior illustration & full book design, 2014
  • Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen (Marrying Mr. Darcy edition), cover illustration, 2013
  • Enter the Bluebird, Brendan Halpin (self-published), cover illustration, 2013
  • Angrvadil, Edvard Eikill (Sagabok/Saga Publishers International), cover & interior, 2012
  • ​Super-powered Word Study, James Bucky Carter (Maupin House Publishing), cover & interior, 2010

​Graphic Novels
  • The Beast of Wolfe's Bay, Erik Evensen (self-published), 2013
  • ​Gods of Asgard, Erik Evensen (self-published), 2007
  • ​Erik Evensen's Sketchbook Diary, Erik Evensen (self-published), 2007 / out of print
    ​(trade paperback compilation; original web content from 2003)

Comics (serialized)
Ghostbusters, Erik Burnham (IDW Publishing)
  • Ghostbusters: Interdimensional Cross-rip (hardcover collection), Oct. 2017
  • Ghostbusters International Volume 2 (trade paperback), February 1, 2017
  • Ghostbusters Annual, anthology story, Jan. 2017
  • Ghostbusters International (vol. 3), issue 9, Sep. 2016 
  • Ghostbusters Annual, anthology story, Dec. 2014
  • Ghostbusters Volume 7: Happy Horror Days (trade paperback), April 16, 2014
  • Ghostbusters (vol. 2) backup story, issue 12, Jan. 2014
Back to the Future, Bob Gale (IDW Publishing)
  • BTTF: The Heavy Collection (softcover collection), November 27, 2018
  • BTTF: Untold Tales and Alternate Timelines (trade paperback), May 18, 2016
  • “Doc Brown Visits the Future,” anthology story, issue 4, Jan. 2016
Hoax Hunters, Michael Moreci (Image Comics), illustration, issue 11, Oct. 2013
Zombie Bomb! Chris McKay, Adam Miller, Rich Woodall (Terminal Press), issue 6, 2010
Invincible, Robert Kirkman (Image Comics), illustration, issue 29, Mar. 2006
Fear Agent, Rick Remender (Image Comics), illustration, issue 3, Feb. 2006
Johnny Raygun: Quarterly, Rich Woodall & Matt Talbot (Jetpack Comics), backup story, issue 4, 2005

Magazines
  • Learning Through History Magazine, multiple cover illustrations, 2009
  • Halftime Magazine, recurring editorial illustration, 2007–2008
  • ​Portsmouth Magazine, recurring editorial illustration, 2006–2007
  • Connect Magazine, recurring comics illustration, 2005–2008
Academic Publications
Writings, scholarly presentations, and other traditional research
​ 

”Design Research in a Polytechnic Setting: Leveraging polytechnic research initiatives as thematic content in a graduate design research class,” 
Polytechnic Summit 2019: Shaping the Future of Polytechnic Education, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI. June 4, 2019. peer-reviewed

”Adapting the Norse Myths: risks, challenges, and creative choices,” 
Session: More Than Marvel: Representations of Norse Mythology in Contemporary Popular Culture
54th International Congress on Medieval Studies (ICoMS Kalamazoo 2019), Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. May 11, 2019. peer-reviewed

“Using Comics to teach Visual Communication, Design Thinking, and User Centered Principles.” AIGA Design Educators Conference: New Ventures: Intersections in Design Education, Portland, OR. September, 2014. peer-reviewed

“Comics as a Design Ecosystem: A Case for Comics in Design Education”
ImageText (v.7.3, 2014) Dept. of English, University of Florida. September, 2014.

“A Toolkit for Board Game Design,” Convivial Toolbox: Generative Research for the Front End of Design, by Liz Sanders and Pieter Jan Stappers / BIS Publishers, the Netherlands, 2013.

“Making Educational Games Make Sense (Without Losing Entertainment Value).” 
AIGA Design Educators Conference: Response/Ability, Toledo, OH. May, 2010. peer-reviewed

“Crafting a Design Concept Prototype for an Educational Game Design: A Case Study.” 
IASDR 2009: Rigor and Relevance in Design, COEX, Seoul, Korea. October, 2009. peer-reviewed
Co-authors: Dr. Peter Kwok Chan, Paul J. Nini, and Dr. Elizabeth B.-N. Sanders

“Making it Fun: Uncovering a Design Research Model for Educational Board Game Design.”
The Ohio State University Department of Design, MFA thesis, July, 2009.
Advisor: Dr. Peter Kwok Chan | Committee: Paul J. Nini, Dr. Elizabeth B.-N. Sanders
[download pdf]

“Game Design for Personal Health Management: An Emotional and Educational Perspective.” Design + Emotion 2008: Dare to Desire, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. October, 2008. peer-reviewed
Co-authors: Dr. Peter Kwok Chan and Dr. Elizabeth B.-N. Sanders
[download poster] 
​
Presentations + Panels
Stand-alone presentations, panels, and invited talks on scholarship, 
creative work, and creative process
​ 

“Monster Love,” May 29, 2021
Festival BD de Montréal (Montréal Comic Arts Festival), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Panelists: Erik Evensen, Sarah Andersen, Elisa Echeverría Parra, Ines Estrada; moderated by Alyssa Favreau

“Licensed Comic Books,” July 7, 2018
CONvergence Convention, Bloomington, MN
Panelists: Erik Evensen, Christopher Jones, Gordon Purcell.

“Norse Mythology in Contemporary Society,” July 9, 2017
CONvergence Convention, Bloomington, MN
Panelists: Erik Evensen, Severina Hein, Gabriel Hilmar, Will Shetterly

Kickstarter How-To Panel, February 5, 2015
AIGA Minnesota / Design for Good, Minneapolis, MN
Panelists:  Erik Evensen, Dr. Ursula Murray Husted, Jeremy Wilker; moderated by Kelli Fox

“The Creative Process behind Star-Crossed,” February, 2013
MMEA Midwinter Clinic, Minneapolis, MN
World Premiere of Star-Crossed
Co-presenter: Dr. Andrew Boysen, Jr.

“Comics, Word Study, and Vocabulary Acquisition,” April, 2011
New England Comic Arts in the Classroom (NECAC)
Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
Co-presenter: Dr. James Bucky Carter / peer reviewed

“Creating Twilight of the Gods,” March, 2010 
CBDNA W/NW Conference
University of Nevada, Reno, NV
World Premiere of Twilight of the Gods
Co-presenter: Dr. Andrew Boysen, Jr.

Graduate Programs in Design, October, 2008 
AIGA Design Educators Conference: Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected World
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
Panelists: Erik Evensen, Rebecca Tegtmeyer, Marty Maxwell Lane, Pamela Napier, Luke Johnson, Vida Kluko
[watch presentation]
​
Research Visualization
Visualization renderings, COVID-19 DIY Mask Tutorial [link]
Kathleen Quinn Lutter, MD; Kelsey Quinn, PhD(c); Nathan Dreger, PhD; Andrew Gothard, Robert Strouse, MFA; Amy Spielman, IDSA; Erik Evensen, MFA
independent grassroots design initiative for the state of Ohio

Visualizer: STIR Symposium “Moving” workshop session, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 2011

​[link] [view proceedings (10MB)]

Information Research Graphics: The End of the Pipeline: A Journey of Recognition for African Americans Entering the Profession, Carolina Academic Press, 2011. Evensen, Dorothy H. and Pratt, Carla D. 2010 [link]

Cartoonist: Teaching New Literacies in Grades 4–6, ed. Barbara Moss and Diane Lapp. “No Stripping Allowed: Reading and Writing Political Cartoons.” p. 158 James Bucky Carter and Kelly Lynn Carter, contributors. 2010. The Guilford Press, New York, NY. [link]
Invited Talks
Artist Talk on Distilled, November 3, 2021 
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), Milwaukee, WI

“Comics, Design Drawing, & Being a ‘Desillustrator’,” November 23, 2015 
New Hampshire Institute of Art, Manchester, NH (now IAD at New England College)

“Designing the world of the Norse Gods in Gods of Asgard,” October 14, 2015 
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN

Sponsored by the department of Scandinavian Studies
​

Artist Talk on Gods of Asgard, October 14, 2015 
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
Sponsored by the department of History

“Life After UNH,” April 25, 2013 
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Alumni Lecture Series, UNH Department of Art & Art History

Wexner Center for the Arts Featured Artist, April, 2007
Columbus Metropolitan Library Centennial Celebration, Columbus, OH, 2007
Campus Talks
University of Wisconsin–Stout
  • A+D Week Grad School Panel, March 30, 2022 
    School of Art & Design | Art+Design Week, sponsored by the MFA in Design
    Panelists: Nicolette Brehm, Erik Evensen, Julie Peterson, Ebonee Rainwater
  • Artist Talk, UW–Stout Comic Creators, February 28, 2020 
  • IDSA Portfolio Development Workshop, October 18, 2017 
  • ASID & CIDA Portfolio Development Workshop, Mar 26, 2015 
  • Creativity to Reality: Arts Entrepreneurship Panel, February 19, 2015 
    College of Arts, Humanites, and Social Sciences Speaker Series
    Panelists:  Erik Evensen, Dr. Jonathan Kuuskoski, Kevin Pontuti, Dr. Paola Savvidou, Dr. Erika Svanoe; moderated by Dr. Jerry Hui
  • An Introduction to Kickstarter: Making Stuff & Getting Paid, April 28, 2014
    Panel discussion on crowdfunding creative projects
    Panelists: Erik Evensen, Dr. Erika Svanoe, Dr. Ursula Murray Husted, Erin Gitchell, Andy DuCett
  • Artist Talk, February 17, 2014 
    ​UW–Stout Faculty Exhibition, Furlong Gallery
  • AIGA New Faculty Presentation, Nov 5, 2013 ​
​​ ​
Selected Exhibitions
  • 2019 | Drawing Distinctions [part II], The Cello Factory, London, UK
  • 2018 | Faculty Exhibition, Furlong Gallery, University of Wisconsin–Stout​, Menomonie, WI
  • 2018 | Drawing Distinctions [part I], Furlong Gallery, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI
  • 2018 | Project Passion, Conkling Gallery, Minnesota State University–Mankato, Mankato, MN
    jurors: Danielle Evans, Christine Herrin, Brent Stickels; organized by AIGA Minnesota
  • 2018​ | ​Analogy and Interaction: Creating a context for curiosity through Games and Play, Ewing Gallery, University of Tennessee–Knoxville​, Knoxville, TN (curated by Cary Staples)
  • 2017​ | ​The Devil's Punch-bowl (solo), Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie, WI
  • 2016 | Faculty Exhibition, Furlong Gallery, University of Wisconsin–Stout​, Menomonie, WI
  • 2014 | Faculty Exhibition, Furlong Gallery, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI
  • 2013 | Visions and Vibrations, West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts, Claremont, NH
  • 2012 | Visions of the Norse Myths (solo), Gallery 140, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN
  • 2012 | Proof of Purchase, samsøn, Boston, MA
  • 2010 | Proof of Purchase, Rhys Gallery, Boston, MA​
  • 2006 | Campus Comics: Cartooning at UNH, UNH Museum, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH (curated by Dale Valena)
  • 2006 | 14th Annual Juried Summer Exhibition, AVA Gallery, Lebanon, NH
  • 2006 | Proof of Purchase, Rhys Gallery, Boston, MA
  • 2005 | Agency (solo), IOS Business Center, Portsmouth, NH
  • 2005 | 13th Annual Juried Summer Exhibition, AVA Gallery, Lebanon, NH
Curatorial Activity
  • 2017–present | Juror, Noah Norton Portfolio Prize, endowed fund for Industrial Design students, named for Noah Norton '00, Associate Professor and first Program Director of the BFA in Industrial Design, University of Wisconsin–Stout 
  • 2022 | Juror, Inside the Box: Memoir Comics by Stout Students, Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI.
    jurors: Brianna Capra, Kevin Drzakowski, Nicole Eastman, Erik Evensen, Cory Mitchell
  • 2020 | Juror, SDG Design Show, (canceled due to COVID-19)
    jurors: Erik Evensen, Dan Lang, Katie Lupton
  • 2019 | Exhibit coordinator, Best of Design Biennial, Furlong Gallery, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI. Jurors: Grace Pedersen, Miranda Wipperfurth, Liese Zahabi 
  • 2019 | Juror, SDG Design Show, The Raw Deal, Menomonie, WI
    jurors: Dave Beck, Alex DeArmond, Erik Evensen, Katie Lupton
  • 2019 | Exhibit coordinator, Frankenstein 451, Memorial Student Center, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI (instructor; class pop-up exhibition)
  • 2018 | Exhibit coordination team, NASAD Exhibition, Furlong Gallery and Gallery 209, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI  (design foundations curator)
  • 2016 | Exhibit coordinator, Best of Design Biennial, Furlong Gallery, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI. Jurors: Kelly O'Gorman DeVore, James Lua, Matt Talbot
  • 2013 | Juror, Midwinter Art Contest, the Norse Mythology Blog
    Jurors: Erik Evensen, Anker Eli Petersen, Karl E. H. Seigfried
  • 2013 | Exhibit coordination team, NASAD Exhibition, Hayes Hall, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (design foundations curator)
  • 2009 | Graduate Assistant, In Tandem II, Hopkins Hall Gallery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (curated design drawing); curators: Amy Youngs and Tony Reynaldo 

SERVICE

Academic Service
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–STOUT 
University-level service
  • Faculty Senator, Department of Design representative, 2015, interim
  • Athletics branding consultant, 2016–2017
  • University Branding consultant, ad-hoc, 2021–2022
  • Vice-chair, Sabbatical Committee, 2021–present
  • ​Graduate Education Committee, 2019–present (alternate 2019–2021)
  • Graduate Commencement/Hooding Committee, 2021–present
  • Integrated Marketing Committee, 2018–2020
  • Advisory Board, Nakatani Teaching & Learning Center, 2015–2016​
  • Web Management Team (SOAD representative), 2016–2018
  • Photogrammetry Lab Advisory Board, 2016–present (NSF grant-funded),
    Dr. Seth Berrier (Computer Science), principal investigator
  • Stout Scholars Day scholarship reviewer, 2014–2016
  • Graduate Faculty, 2013-present

College-level service
  • College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences PR Committee, 2014–2015
  • CAHCSS College Council, 2016–present​

School & Department-level service
  • Program Director, MFA in Design, 2019–present
  • Program Director, Industrial Design, 2016–2018, interim
  • NASAD Steering Committee (accreditation oversight), 2016–2018
  • Coordinator, Color Specialization, 2013–2017
  • Exhibition Coordinator, Best of Design Biennial Exhibition, 2013–2020
  • Chair, School of Art & Design International Studies Committee, 2015–2016
  • Dept. of Design Personnel Committee, 2021–present
  • School of Art & Design Publicity Committee, 2013–2015
  • Hiring Committees, tenure-track:
    – Search committee for Assistant Professor of Studio Art: Comics, 2021–2022
    – Search committee for Assistant Professor of Animation, 2020
    – Chair, search committee for Assistant Professor of Animation, 2018–2019
    – Search committee for Assistant Professor of Studio Art: Metals, 2014–2015
  • Hiring Committees, non-tenure-track:
    – Member, search committee for Visiting Faculty in Industrial Design, 2016
    – Member, search committee for Entertainment/Game Design, 2017 (emergency hire x3)
  • Program Advisory Committees:
    – MFA in Design, member, 2015–present; chair 2019–present
    – BFA in Industrial Design, member 2016–present; chair 2016–2018
    ​
Extracurricular Service​
  • Student Org Advisor: 
    – NASA S.U.I.T.S. Design Challenge (Team NOVACore), 2019
    – Comic Creators, 2019–2022
    – Club Advisor, Hooplah Zine, 2015–2022
  • UW–Stout Performing Arts:
    – Saxophonist, pit orchestra, Little Shop of Horrors, 2016
    – Saxophonist, pit orchestra, 110 in the Shade, 2014 

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 
  • Design Foundations Coordinator, 2012–2013, interim
  • Design Foundations committee, 2012–2013, ad hoc
  • Faculty Mentor to Graduate Teaching Associates, 2012–2013
  • Graduate Assistant:
    – Portfolio Reviewer, second-year review, Visual Communication Design, 2008–2009
    – Logistics volunteer, Design 40 Celebration, 2008

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
  • BFA thesis committee, Tyler Brown (BS & BFA 2012)
  • Portfolio Reviewer, graduating seniors in Graphic & Exhibit Design, 2009–2013
Community Service
Ludington Guard Band
  • UW–Stout campus liaison, 2019–present
  • Narrator/announcer, ad hoc, 2018–present
  • saxophonist, 2013–present

Bemidji Area Community Band 
  • Member, Board of Directors, 2011–2013
  • ​saxophonist, 2010–2013

Bemidji Symphony Orchestra
  • Member, Board of Directors, 2010–2012
  • Chair, publicity committee

Pecha Kucha Night, Bemidji Chapter
  • Member, Coordination Team, 2010–2012
Service to the Profession
ADVISORY BOARDS 
  • Advisory Board Member, Graphic Design Advisory Committee, Chippewa Valley Technical College (WI), 2020–present
  • Advisory Board Member, Dakota County Technical College (MN), 2019–present
  • Advisory Board Member, Bemidji State University Department of Technology, Art & Design (MN), 2010–2015

EXTERNAL REVIEWER 
  • ​Reviewer, MODE: Motion Design Education Summit, 2021, Boston, MA/virtual
  • ​Reviewer, AIGA Design Conference 2020 (National), Design Education Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA/virtual
  • Reviewer, AIGA Design Conference 2019 (National), Design Education Symposium, Pasadena, CA
  • ​Reviewer, Keer 2012: Green Kansei, International Conference on Kansei Engineering + Emotion Research, Department of Industrial Design, College of Planning & Design, National Cheng Kung University, Penghu, Taiwan
Academic Advising
Graduate Committees
  • Chair, MFA thesis committee, Jackson Yang, 2022–present | in progress
    topic: Graphic Design & Illustration
  • Chair, MFA thesis committee, Hannah Ottevaere, 2022–present | in progress
    topic: Graphic Design
  • MFA thesis committee, Kerstin Nye, 2022–present | in progress
    topic: Tabletop Game Design & Design Research
  • Chair, MFA thesis committee, Jon Alesch, 2021–present | in progress
    topic: Re-imagining the Spooner Railroad Park as an Historical Community Center and Edutainment Destination
  • MFA thesis committee, Terri Stan, 2021–present | in progress
    topic: Graphic Design Education & Neurodiversity
  • Chair, MFA thesis committee, Jessica Kromrie, 2021–2022
    topic: “Representation and Diversity in the Horror Genre: How Design Research can Inform the Creation of a Themed Lifestyle Publication”
  • MFA thesis committee, Lei Feng, 2020–2021
    “Learning Experience Design: Ecotourism Exchange Program for Chinese International Students”
  • MFA thesis committee, Matt Wigdahl, 2020–2021
    “Motion Design and Tangible User Interface for Recorded Narrative Performance”
  • MFA thesis committee, Morgan Brantner, 2020–2021
    “Cooperative Design in Video Games for Social Closeness”
  • MFA thesis committee, Drew Hagen, 2021 
    “Noir: Dark as Night”
  • MFA thesis committee, Jonathan Wheeler, 2020–2021
    “Designing the Future: Diegetic Sculpture & Literary Adaptation in Speculative Fiction Cinema” 
  • Chair, MFA thesis committee, Liang Wu, 2019–2020 
    “Web-based Media for Asynchronous Communication Among International Students at the University of Wisconsin–Stout” 
  • MFA thesis committee, Zi-xu Tian, 2016–2017 
    ”Chinese-style Digital Painting”
  • MFA thesis committee, Michelle Mailey Noben, 2016–2017​ 
    “No Parent Left Behind: A UX Research + Design Project”
Honors College​​
  • Honors project advisor, Abbie Wells, 2022 (BFA Animation & Digital Media)
  • Honors project advisor, Emily Holze, 2022 (BFA Animation & Digital Media)
  • Honors project advisor, Victoria Anderberg, 2020 (BFA Comics & Sequential Art)
  • Honors project advisor, Hope Simon, 2020 (BFA Industrial Design)
  • Honors project advisor, Ellie Hinzman, 2019 (BFA Graphic Design)
  • Honors project advisor, Dury Nelson, 2019 (BFA Comics & Sequential Art)
  • Honors project advisor, Nicholas Norton, 2019 (BS Computer Science)
  • Honors project advisor, Hana Buttles, 2017–2018 (BS Art Ed)
  • Honors project advisor, Emma Raleigh, 2016–2018 (BFA Industrial Design)
  • Honors project advisor, Julia Hurley & Caitlin Pyrz, 2016–2017 (BFA Industrial Design, BS Dietetics)
  • ​Honors project advisor, Lila Werner, 2016 (BFA Graphic Design)
  • Honors project advisor, Katrina Strait, 2016 (BFA Graphic Design)
  • Honors project advisor, Kayla Smith, 2016 (BFA Graphic Design)
  • Honors project advisor, Micah Amundsen, 2015 (BFA Comics & Sequential Art)
  • Honors project advisor, Anna Busch, 2014 (BS Art Ed)
Undergraduate Advising
  • Academic Advising (undergraduate):
    – BFA in Graphic Design, 2013–2016
    – BFA in Industrial Design, 2015–2019
  • Academic Advising (graduate):
    – MFA in Design, 2019–present

IMPACT OF SCHOLARSHIP

Media Coverage
Notable media coverage
  • History & Games Lab Podcast, University of Edinburgh. May 12, 2021.
  • Savy Writes Books AuthorTube: Q&A with Erik Evensen. April 12, 2021.
  • Spectrum West, Wisconsin Public Radio. June 21, 2018.
  • Central Time, Wisconsin Public Radio. January 10, 2018.
  • Jason A. Smith, 5Q with Erik A. Evensen, Wisconsin People and Ideas, magazine for the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, summer, 2014.
  • Karl E. H. Seigfried, “Interview with Erik Evensen,” The Norse Mythology Blog, May 26, 2011.
  • Katie Monnin, A Superpowered and Educational Interview with Dr. James Bucky Carter and Erik Evensen, Graphic Novel Reporter, January 10, 2011.
  • ​In Focus, Lakeland Public Television, July 2, 2010. (television arts feature)
  • Daniel Grant, "More than a Bachelor, less than a Master," The New York Times, January 6, 2008.
  • Christopher Porter, “Visiting Valhalla: ‘Gods of Asgard’,” Express Night Out, The Washington Post, October 31, 2007.
Citations in Books + Articles
Citations in published books

Beowulf's Popular Afterlife in Literature, Comic Books, and Film, Kathleen Forni, 1st edition, Routledge, New York, NY. [order]

Graphic Novels: A Guide to Comic Books, Manga, and More, Michael Pawuk and David S. Serchay, 2nd edition, Genreflecting Advisory Series, edited by Diana Tixier Herald, Libraries Unlimited, Santa Barbara, CA, 2017, p. 327, Chapter 4—Fantasy: Mythological Fantasy. [order]

Echoes of Valhalla: The Afterlife of the Eddas and Sagas, Jón Karl Helgason, Reaktion Books / University of Chicago Press, 2017. [order]

Teaching Early Reader Comics and Graphic Novels, Monnin, Katie. Maupin House Publishing, 2011. [order]

Connecting Comics to Curriculum: Strategies for Grades 6–12, Gavigan, Karen W and Mindy Tomasevich. Libraries Unlimited, 2011. [order]

Rationales for Teaching Graphic Novels, Carter, James Bucky. Maupin House Publishing, 2010. [order]

Building Literacy Connections with Graphic Novels: Page by Page, Panel by Panel, Carter, James Bucky. National Council of Teachers of English, 2008. [order]

Citations in published articles

Novita, Dian and Setiawan, Slamet. (2020), “Bringing Student-Generated Comic as a Collaborative Project into the Extensive Reading Program.” Journal of English Educators Society. 5:1. [read]

Norma Elena Castrezana Guerrero, Adriana Judith Cardoso Villegas (2019), “Le Evaluación en el Diseño Gráfico como un Factor de Calidad para la Funcionalidad de las Soluciones Gráficas / Evaluation in Graphic Design as a Quality Factor for the Functionality of Graphics Solutions,” PAG Ibero-American Journal of Academic Production and Educational Management, vol. 6, issue 11, 2019. [
read] (Spanish)

Shih-Ju Weng and Shwu-Ching Young (2018), “Content Design of Virtual Game for Elementary School Students: Using Circle and Compound Graphics of Circle as an Example,” proceedings from the Asian Conference on Education 2018; IAFOR (International Academic Forum). [read]

Fulvio Ferrari. “Looking at the hero: Beowulf and graphic novels in the 21st Century,” Linguistica e Filologia, Issue 37, 2017, pp. 189–202. [read] [web]

Antonio López (2017), “Back to the Drawing Board: Making Comics, Making Media Literacy,” International Handbook of Media Literacy Education, edited by Belinha S. De Abreu, Paul Mihailidis, Alice Y.L. Lee, Jad Melki, Julian McDougall. Routledge, pp. 274–288 [order]

Sadam Issa (2017), “Comics in the English classroom: a guide to teaching comics across English studies,” Journal of Graphic Novels & Comics, September 2017, Taylor & Francis.

Erika Edith Clark (2017), “Are comics effective materials for teaching ELLs? A literature on graphic media for L2 instruction,” IJAEDU International E-Journal of Advances in Education, Vol. 3, Issue 8, August, 2017, pp. 298–309. [read]

Lin Zhanli, Lai Yuwen (2017), “Research on the Design Cycle Model of Educational Table Games: The Loop Mode of Educational Board Game Design,” Secondary Education (journal), Vol. 2, Issue 68, 2017, pp. 29–42. (Chinese)

Ana Isabel Veloso and Liliana Vale Costa. “Heuristics for designing digital games in assistive environments: Applying the guidelines to an ageing society,” Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Technology and Innovation in Sports, Health and Wellbeing (TISHW 2016), Vila, Portugal. [read]

Ewa McGrail, J. Patrick McGrail, Alicja Rieger (2016), “Learning Language and Vocabulary in Dialogue with the Real Audience: Exploring Young Writers’ Authentic Writing and Language Learning Experiences,” in Evan Ortlieb, Earl H. Cheek, Jr., Wolfram Verlaan (ed.) Writing Instruction to Support Literacy Success (Literacy Research, Practice and Evaluation, Volume 7) Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp. 117–135 [read]

Alicja Rieger, Ewa McGrail, J. Patrick McGrail (2016), “Preparing Teachers to Teach with Comics Literature in K–12 Classrooms,” in Festus E. Obiakor, Alicja Rieger, Anthony Rotatori (ed.) Critical Issues in Preparing Effective Early Childhood Special Education Teachers for the 21st Century Classroom: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Information Age Publishing, 2016, pp. 135–139, Chapter 10.

Daniela Elsner (2014), “Graphic Novels in the EFL Classroom,” in Phil Benson and Alice Chik (ed.) Popular Culture, Pedagogy, and Teacher Education: International perspectives (Routledge Research in Education), Routledge, New York, NY, part III.12.

Weiner, Robert G. and Carrye Kay Syma. “Library 1100: Information Literacy, Sequential Art and Introduction to Library Research.” ImageTexT Vol. 7, Issue 3, 2014, Dept. of English, University of Florida. [read]

Fatemeh Ebrahimpour, Mostafa Najafi, and Narges Sadeghi, “The Design and Development of a Computer Game on Insulin Injection,” Electron Physician. Vol. 6, Issue 2, 2014, pp. 845–855. [read]

Carol L. Tilley, “Comics in the Classroom: Using Comics to Teach the Language Arts in the 1940s and 1950s,” Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom: Essays on the Educational Power of Sequential Art, edited by Carrye Kay Syma, Robert G. Weiner. McFarland & Company, 2013.

Shanizan Herman Mohd Radzi, Asif Zamri Zainol, Mohd Zukuwwan Zainol Abidin & Puteri Azwa Ahmad, “Board Game as an Alternative Learning Tool: The Port Management Course,” proceedings from Research: Drivers of Development, Higher Education Sector, 2013, pp. 687–693. [read]

Irma Ahmad, Suhaiza Hasan, Nur Azimah Osman, “Funtasksticks: Aligning the Games with Course Outcomes of Physics and Biology for Pre-Science Students,” 2013. [read]

Ellen Brox, Luis Fernández-Luque, Torunn Tøllefsen, “Healthy Gaming: Video Game Design to Promote Health,” Applied Clinical Informatics. Vol. 2, Issue 2, 2011, pp. 128-142. [read]

Thelma U. Ekukinam, “Figure-out Game: Medium for integrating Nigerian youths into emerging national innovations,” Journal of Educational Media and Technology, Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2010, pp. 93–99. [read]

Nick Kremer, “This is not your Forefather's Thor: Using Comics to Make Mythology Meaningful,” SANE Journal Vol. 1, Issue 1, 2010. [read]

Citations in unpublished articles

Michael Umameh, “Mathematics Game Design: Users as Co-designers. Developing an Ideal Design Process for an Educational Virtual Environment for supporting the Teaching and learning of mathematics,” University of Bristol (UK), working paper. [read]
Citations in Graduate Research
Citations in graduate research

Lillian Céspedes González, “The representation of Norse women in medieval textual sources and modern visual media,” Ph.D. thesis in Historical Studies, University of Winchester (UK) Department of History, 2020. Interview.

Nicholas T. Kremer, "The Comic Core: A Theory of Teaching Sequential Art Narratives," PhD thesis in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Missouri–Columbia, 2017

Maren Christine Fredriksen, ”Implementing Graphic Novels to Affect Visual Literacy in an 8th Grade Classroom (Innføring av grafiske romaner for å påvirke visuell literacy i en 8. klasse),” MA thesis in Education, Bergen University College (Norway), 2018. [read]

David Eric Low, “Comics as a Medium for Inquiry: Urban Students (Re-)Designing Critical Social Worlds” PhD thesis in Education, University of Pennsylvania, 2015. [read]
​
Daniel C. Zabrowski, “The Effects of Gameful Design on Student Engagement in the Eighth Grade Classroom,” MA thesis in Education, Viterbo University, 2015. [read]

Lillian Céspedes González, “From Los Vikingos to Northlanders: Changing Representations of the Old Norse in Sequential Art,” MA thesis in Historical Studies, University of Winchester (UK) Department of History, 2013.

Adina Feigenbaum, “Social Media as a Means of Promoting Peer-Based Learning in Design Education,” MFA thesis in Visual Communication Design, Kent State University, 2013. 
Interview & campus visit subject (uncredited). [read]

Elise Woolley, “Fun: An Exploration in its Relevance to Interaction Design,” MFA thesis in Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design, The Ohio State University Department of Design, 2010. [read]

Hafner, Tina. “Peter Madsen's Valhalla: Studien zur Rezeption altwestnordischer Mythen im modernen Comic (German Edition)” Magistra der Philosophie thesis, University of Vienna, 2008. [read]
Other
Instructional tools & texts: 
​
my works & writings used in educational settings

Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN
  • ENG 400: Getting Medieval: Viking Narratives in Modern Media, Dr. Aidan Holtan, instructor.  “Gods of Asgard” used as class text.

Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA
  • ENGL 3230/HON 3301: Comics & Graphic Narrative [Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar], Dr. Sergio Figueiredo, instructor. “Comics as a Design Ecosystem” used as class text.
  • PRWR 6550: Design for Publication, Dr. Sergio Figueiredo, instructor. “Comics as a Design Ecosystem” used as class text.

Gustavus Adolphus College | St. Peter, MN
  • HIS 218: Scandinavia to 1800, Dr. Glenn Kranking, instructor. “Gods of Asgard” used as class text.

Marshall University | Huntington, WV
  • ENG 200: Texting the World, Dr. Tim Burbery, instructor.  “Gods of Asgard” used as class text.

James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA
  • ENG 401: Advanced Studies in Medieval Literature: Reinventing the Middle Ages, Dr. Dabney Bankert, instructor. “Gods of Asgard” used as class text.

The Ohio State University | Billy Ireland Museum of Cartoon Art | Columbus, OH
  • ​Super-powered Word Study included on “Teaching with Cartoon Art: A Selected Bibliography” curated by the Billy Ireland Museum of Cartoon Art

Carthage College | Kenosha, WI
  • REL 200F, TP: Norse Religion, Dr. Karl E. H. Seigfried, instructor. “Twilight of the Gods” used as instructional tool.

Micel Folcland (part of Regia Anglorum) living history organization (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri). “Gods of Asgard” cited as primary source.

Beowulf in the Comics: An Initial Bibliographic Guide 2.0, by Michael Torregrossa. “The Beast of Wolfe's Bay” included.



ERIK A. EVENSEN
DESIGNER, ILLUSTRATOR,
GRAPHIC NOVELIST, EDUCATOR
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