About
I am an Associate Professor in the School of Art and Art History, College of Fine Arts at the University of Florida and an Affiliate Faculty of the university’s Center for Latin American Studies. Through diverse investigations of visual culture, representation, and identity formation, I explore the construction of culture and the imaginary in the Americas. I write and design on these themes and am working on several interdisciplinary projects on Mexican visual culture. I am also working on design for development projects to specifically empower marginalized people, but also others, through and with design. Design better, live better.
For a selected design work, teaching, and writing resources, visit my portfolio site. Find me on Facebook, Skype, DesignRelated, and Linked-in by searching for “mariarogal”
A FORMAL BIOGRAPHY
Maria spent her formative years traveling internationally and has lived in Laos, Peru, and Liberia. Her transcultural background influences her work, which focuses on visual culture, design, and identity. She is at work on several projects that investigate the impact and relevance of graphic design and visual culture in the Americas. In these projects she explores how new visual languages develop through cultural assimilation and hybridity.
Her writing, including “EthnoGraphic Art”, “Mexico: My, Your, Our Fantasy. The Problem of Flatness in Intercultural Representations of Mexicanidad”, “Radicals with a Voice/Radicales con Voz”, and “South of the Border…Down Mexico Way” also explores the aforementioned themes. Her art and design work has appeared in several national and international juried exhibitions, including the Islamic World Graphic Design Biennial (Tehran), Arte Digital 6 (Havana, Cuba), and Graphic Responses, a special section of the Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition. In 2003 she was the recipient of a Fulbright Hays Fellowship to México and Costa Rica. During 2006–2007 she worked and taught in Mérida, Yucatán, México under Fulbright-García Robles and Fulbright-Hays Grants.
Maria studied political science and history at Villanova University, PA where she received her B.A. degree, and worked in the international development field before beginning her education and career in graphic design. In 1995 she received her M.F.A. in Design and Visual Communication from Virginia Commonwealth University where her research focus was on design and social responsibility. From 2000–2001, she worked in Atlanta as a senior designer for Sapient, working on projects for international clients, including concept and design for a Global 1000 Latin American energy corporation and for the Dutch bank, ING.com. Since 1997 she has been on the School of Art and Art History faculty at the University of Florida where she teaches courses in graphic design with an emphasis on the intersection of design and culture.