Kelly Salchow MacArthur is a Professor of Studio Art and Co-Coordinator of Graphic Design at Michigan State University. She received her MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. Before joining the faculty at MSU, she was Program Head of Graphic Design and Assistant Professor at Kansas City Art Institute. Other previous teaching experiences include RISD and The College of New Jersey.
She is a member of the UCDA Design Educator’s Advisory Committee and CAA’s Committee on Intellectual Property. She served as President of the Detroit Chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design, from 2009–2011, following five years of service as Education Director for the Detroit and Kansas City Chapters.
Her concepts and design work have been published in several books, including Sustainable: A Handbook of Materials and Applications for Graphic Designers and Their Clients; Mapping the Intelligence of Artistic Work: An Explorative Guide to Making, Thinking, And Writing; Typography, Referenced: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to the Language, History, and Practice of Typography; and Designing for the Greater Good: The Best in Cause-Related Marketing and Nonprofit Design. Kelly has presented at national and international conferences, and guest lectured at several universities in the United States. Her work has been exhibited internationally. Projects through Elevate Design (formerly Thrive Design)—her independent company—generate design solutions for clients such as a2 Modern, Hambre NYC, The Rebecca Davis Dance Company, and the Seattle Rowing Center.
A retired two-time Olympian, she balances her passion for design and education with miles of rowing on the Huron River.