Graphic design is an area of art that can encompasses many levels of communication. Iowa State’s Roger Baer, associate professor of art and design, makes sure he keeps the bases covered when teaching students graphic design.

Baer, who taught graphic design at Purdue University for eight years before coming to Iowa State in 1980, won a Faculty Citation for outstanding and inspiring service from the university this year. He said the award made him feel very honored.

“I have taught everything in graphic design.” Although he works mainly with graduating seniors, he said he has also worked with student interns. “I enjoy teaching entry-level students as well as graduate students.”

Baer, who is also the assistant dean for the College of Art and Design, said graphic design is not all together different than any other design process. “There is research involved. There is ideation involved. There is theory involved,” he said.

“Essentially, what we’re trying to do with our students is deal with new forms of communication.” Baer said that communication is at the heart of what he does. “It is not limited to the two-dimensional. It’s everything from multi-media to packaging.”

Baer said there is a wide variety of design opportunities available for students of graphic design outside of the classroom. “I encourage students to be involved with as much as they can. It is the best thing they can do.”

He said he realizes that whether they are designing a t-shirt for their dorm floor or putting together a campus magazine, graphic design is a time consuming process and takes a lot of dedication.

But for some, that dedication can pay off. He said he knew of a student who used to work for the residence hall food service designing fliers for tables who went on to have a great career in graphic design.

He said it is a chance for students to be able to do the kind of work they are capable of and add some real value to the university. “I think the most important part of it is to not only be here to learn, but to share your knowledge.”

Baer follows his own advice by doing extra work outside of the classroom. In the past he has been a design consultant for various clients. “I probably don’t do that as much since I’ve been involved with the dean’s office.”

His other outside work extends to the English department. He designs the literary publication Flyway edited by associate professor of English Stephen Pett. “I’ve designed every one of those issues.”

Baer said it takes him about two weeks from start to finish to design an issue of Flyway. “I’m pretty fast though. I know my way around a desktop publishing system.”

Pett said Baer is an extraordinary person who knows design well. “He’s a very open, generous guy and I imagine a wonderful teacher,” Pett said. He said Baer is always talking about how proud he is of his students.

“We have terrific students,” Baer said. “I’m excited every day I go into class. I’ve never stopped learning and never stopped enjoying what I do in class.”

Baer, who is originally from California, said he didn’t plan on staying at Iowa State much longer than five years, but liked it so much he decided to stay. “I don’t know where you could find a better place.”

He said one thing he likes about the College of Design is that students from different disciplines share their knowledge. “There is a great melting pot in the College of Design where ideas get exchanged at all hours of the day.”