Cora McKenzie is a Seattle-based graphic designer, researcher, and (aspiring) educator passionate about typography and experiential design. Informed by her science background, Cora’s practice often coalesces design and research methodologies to create unique brand experiences and confront complex topics. She holds a B.A. from Rice University and an M.F.A. from Maryland Institute College of Art.
Education
MFA Graphic Design, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
︎Certificate in the College Teaching of Art
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Graphic Design, MICA.
BA Kinesiology, Rice University.
︎ Minor in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
︎Certificate in the College Teaching of Art
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Graphic Design, MICA.
BA Kinesiology, Rice University.
︎ Minor in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Experience
Working Experience
Studio SC, 2020–Present.
Fundrise, 2020.
Gensler, 2019.
National Aquarium, 2018.
Blue State Digital, 2018-2019.
MICA, 2017-2020.
︎ Graduate Program Assistant
︎ Graduate Admissions Portfolio Reviewer
Rice Jones School of Business, 2016-17.
UT Health, 2016-17.
Studio SC, 2020–Present.
Fundrise, 2020.
Gensler, 2019.
National Aquarium, 2018.
Blue State Digital, 2018-2019.
MICA, 2017-2020.
︎ Graduate Program Assistant
︎ Graduate Admissions Portfolio Reviewer
Rice Jones School of Business, 2016-17.
UT Health, 2016-17.
Teaching Roles
Graduate Teaching Intern, MICA, 2017-2020.
︎ Moving Image I, Ben O’Brien, Fall 2017.
︎ Found & Focused, Jan Stinchcomb, Fall 2018︎ History of Graphic Design, Brockett Horne & Ellen Lupton, Spring 2019.
︎ Senior Fiber Thesis, Annet Couwenburg & Piper Shepard, Spring 2020.
Graduate Teaching Intern, MICA, 2017-2020.
︎ Moving Image I, Ben O’Brien, Fall 2017.
︎ Found & Focused, Jan Stinchcomb, Fall 2018︎ History of Graphic Design, Brockett Horne & Ellen Lupton, Spring 2019.
︎ Senior Fiber Thesis, Annet Couwenburg & Piper Shepard, Spring 2020.
Volunteering
Climate Designers, 2020-Present.
MICA Grassroots Design Fest, 2018.
Sundance NEXT Fest, 2017.
Sundance Film Festival, 2017.
Climate Designers, 2020-Present.
MICA Grassroots Design Fest, 2018.
Sundance NEXT Fest, 2017.
Sundance Film Festival, 2017.
Events & Inclusions
Exhibitions
The Earth Speaks, Pocono Art Council, 2020.
Grad Show II, MICA, 2020.
Unravel the Code, MICA, 2019.
Unstable Energy—Unbounded Potential, Willem de Kooning Academie NL, 2019.
Also Known As, MICA, Fall 2018.
Post-Baccalaureate Capstone, MICA, Spring 2018.
The Earth Speaks, Pocono Art Council, 2020.
Grad Show II, MICA, 2020.
Unravel the Code, MICA, 2019.
Unstable Energy—Unbounded Potential, Willem de Kooning Academie NL, 2019.
Also Known As, MICA, Fall 2018.
Post-Baccalaureate Capstone, MICA, Spring 2018.
Workshops
Graphic Design for Filmmaking, MICA, Fall 2017.
Speaking
Science + Design, MICA GD, Spring 2019.
Guest Critic, Type III with Lindsay Ballant, Fall 2018.
Guest Critic, Type III with Lindsay Ballant, Fall 2018.
Honors & Affiliations
Awards
Indigo Design Award | Typography (Bronze), 2021
Society of Typographic Arts | STA 100, 2020
Communication Arts | Typography (shortlisted), 2020
Communication Arts | Design (shortlisted), 2020.
MICA Alumni Award for Student Leadership (nominated), 2020.
AICAD/NOAA Fisheries Art + Science Fellowship Finalist, 2020.
MICA Graduate Merit Scholarship, 2017-Present.
Rice Honor Athlete, 2016.
Indigo Design Award | Typography (Bronze), 2021
Society of Typographic Arts | STA 100, 2020
Communication Arts | Typography (shortlisted), 2020
Communication Arts | Design (shortlisted), 2020.
MICA Alumni Award for Student Leadership (nominated), 2020.
AICAD/NOAA Fisheries Art + Science Fellowship Finalist, 2020.
MICA Graduate Merit Scholarship, 2017-Present.
Rice Honor Athlete, 2016.
Memberships
AIGA
SEGD
Features
Unravel the Code (forthcoming)
AIGA
SEGD
Features
Unravel the Code (forthcoming)
Currently
Contact
coraleighmckenzie@gmail.com