Paul Tosh on Sarah Moore
Webster's New World Dictionary describes a mentor as a
wise, loyal advisor, a teacher or coach. Sarah Moore, Associate
Professor of Art History at the University of Arizona has been and
is all of those. As my professor in several of my art history
classes, especially those in European Modernism, she took a student
with little knowledge and understanding of art history and
instilled a deep and abiding passion for scholarship in these
areas. She encouraged me to dig deep into all areas of art
historical research, but especially those that pertained to graphic
design and typography.
Professor Moore was a sympathetic ear and counselor to a
sometimes-overwhelmed "non-traditional" (re: older, as in his 40s)
graduate design student. But most importantly, she was my Rosetta
stone, the key to a new way, for me, of looking at and approaching
design, both as a practitioner and a future teacher.
Sarah Moore instilled in me the understanding and belief that
all art, but especially design and typography, is understood within
the societal, cultural and historical context in which it exists.
She also instilled in me the belief that theory must be relevant to
practice. This has sent me to further study historical and
contemporary design/typographic theory and explore how it can be an
effective tool to the practicing designer. I use my study and,
hopefully, understanding of semiotic theory, deconstruction theory,
Friedman's theory of legibility and unpredictability and others, to
help both my students and myself explore new avenues of creative
conceptualization.
She believed in me, and my potential as a teacher and artist,
when I did not believe in myself. Where I had seemed to lose my
passion for design, she helped me find vision and renewed passion.
She knew when to cajole, when to encourage and when to kick me in
the posterior. She was always there and available to help and talk.
And she showed me, maybe somewhat unwittingly, that this is
applicable to all aspects of life, whether dealing with clients or
students.
Sarah Moore. Mentor. Teacher. Friend. Colleague. And my gateway
to truly and passionately embracing an expanding future in design
and design education.
Paul Tosh
Assistant Professor Graphic Design
Department of Art & Art History
University of Missouri-Kansas City
& *PDG Design [*pretty darn good]
About the Author: Never live a superficial life, never make superficial design. Any life, no matter how seemingly mundane, is important and exciting if lived with passion and open eyes for learning. Any design, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is excellent if approached with a passion to communicate it's message to the maximum and a desire to learn and grow as a designer.