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CURRENT POSITION
2016 – present
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, American University of Kuwait
EDUCATION
2012 – 2014
Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, New Brunswick, NJ
Master of Fine Art, Photography and Interdisciplinary Arts
Thesis: Streaming Portraits: Screen and Shone, Graduate Teaching Fellowship
2009 – 2012
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Baltimore, MD
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fine Art, Photography and Digital Media Focus
Graduate Teaching Internship, Post-Baccalaureate Scholarship
1998 – 2001
Pratt Institute, New York, NY
Master of Science in Communications Design
Thesis: History of Illustrated Grimms’ Tales & Rumpelstiltskin Picture Book
Graduate Teaching Assistantship
1994 – 1998
Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Studio Art, French, cum laude
Additional studies in Anthropology, Psychology, Economics and Greek Drama
1996 – 1997
Sarah Lawrence College in Paris, France
Coursework in Art History, French and Studio Art. Additional courses at:
Parsons School of Design Paris, 3D Design
The University of Paris – Sorbonne (Paris IV), Art History
PREVIOUS ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
2012 – 2014
Instructor, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
2008 – 2009
Adjunct Professor, The City University of New York (CUNY), Brooklyn, NY
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE
2000 – present
Creative Director and Principal, Washington, D.C. and New York, NY
Clairvoyant Design
Design logos, advertising, marketing collateral, promotional pieces, event materials,
and signage for businesses and cultural institutions.
2006 – 2009
Creative Services Manager, New York, NY
USA Weekend Magazine
Supervised a team of designers creating integrated marketing materials for magazine and advertising clients. Designed campaigns for digital interactive and print media. Managed college internship program.
2002 – 2006
Art Director, New York, NY
Reader’s Digest
Developed, designed and produced sales, marketing, promotional, and advertorial pieces. Directed the work of freelancers and outsource vendors.
2000 – 2001
Graphic Designer, New York, NY
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Created educational and promotional materials for museum exhibitions.
PUBLICATIONS/PRESS
2021
AUK Professors Participate in 3rd Annual Global Migration Film Festival, Interview with Arab Times, January 12. http://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/auk- professors-participate-in-3rd-annual-global-migration-film-festival
2020
Muscat Mosque, Catalogue of the 8th Annual International Society for Photographic Education Combined Caucus Exhibition, Curated by Zackary Drucker, BOX 13 Artspace, Houston, TX
2017
Expats in Kuwait: Creating and Teaching Art in Kuwait, Interview with KTV2, Kuwait City, Kuwait, November 21
2016
HairDraw, Catalogue of Personal Narrative, PhotoPlace Gallery, photoplacegallery.com
EXHIBITIONS
2020
8th Annual International Society for Photographic Education Combined Caucus Exhibition, Curated by Zackary Drucker, BOX 13 Artspace, Houston, TX
2019
Alternative Digital Printing, Maine Media Workshops, Rockport, ME
2016
Personal Narrative, PhotoPlace Gallery, photoplacegallery.com, Middlebury, VT
2014
Jersey Fresh, Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, NY
Aeolian, The Galleries at Mason Gross, Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ
2013
Stories, Memories and Histories,Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO
2012
First Year MFA Review, The Galleries at Mason Gross, Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ
Under Construction, Fox 3 Gallery, MICA, Baltimore, MD
2011
Diffuse, Milk & Honey, Baltimore, MD
The Seam, Fox 3 Gallery, MICA, Baltimore, MD
2010
Touchy-Feely, Gallery 500, MICA, Baltimore, MD
2006
Small Works Show, Brooklyn Artists Gym, Brooklyn, NY
Portraits/Self-Portraits, Organization of Independent Artists Gallery, New York, NY
2004
The Art Show, Gallery at 312 W. 23rd, New York, NY
2003
GirlSalon, C Club, New York, NY
hyperbole ii,302 Butler Arts Building, Brooklyn, NY
1998
New Forms, Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA
1997
Shifting Grounds, Boston University, Boston, MA
AWARDS AND HONORS
2019
Certificate of Appreciation from the AUKuwait Review magazine for motivating significant numbers of students to submit artwork and writing
2013
Still Photography to Video Course Scholarship, Penland School of Crafts, ($300)
2012
Mid-Atlantic National Conference Scholarship, Society for Photographic Education ($500)
2009 – 2012
Post-Baccalaureate Scholarship, Maryland Institute College of Art, ($3,000)
2008
Gold Hermes Award for Marketing Design
2006 – 2007
Three American In-House Design Awards, Graphic Design USA Magazine
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2018
Professional Development Grant (travel expenses for -ING Creatives Conference, Dubai, UAE, American University of Kuwait, ($600)
Professional Development Grant (travel expenses for Society for Photographic Education National Conference, Philadelphia, PA), American University of Kuwait ($600)
2017
Professional Development Grant (travel expenses for Society for Photographic Education National Conference, Orlando, FL), American University of Kuwait, ($1,800)
2012 – 2014
Graduate Teaching Fellowship at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts ($80,000)
INVITED TALKS AND WORKSHOPS
2022
How to Write Art History Papers, Art and Graphic Design Department, American University of Kuwait. October 17
2021
Photographing Work for Your Portfolio Workshop, Professional Practices Course, American University of Kuwait. November 29
3rd Annual Global Migration Film Festival Online Panel Discussion Regarding the Film Woman’s Country, IOM United Nations Migration Agency. January 11
2019
Photobook Workshop: Developing Concept and Cohesion in Book Form, Art and Graphic Design Department, American University of Kuwait. November 24
2018
Artist’s Talk: Photography, Art Department. American United School, Kuwait. February 19
2012
Visiting Artist: Alumna Claire Giddings, Post-Bac Program in Fine Art, MICA. Baltimore, MD. November 5
2008
Guest Speaker: Claire Giddings, Communications Design Department. The City University of New York. Brooklyn, NY. March 12
CONFERENCES
2018
Claire Giddings, Heather O’Brien, Ramy Khair. Undoing Conditioning: Towards a Reciprocal Pedagogical Practice in the Middle East. Panel organization and presentation at Uncertain Times, Society for Photographic Education National Conference. Philadelphia, PA. February 24
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2016 – present
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, American University of Kuwait
Graphic Design Capstone, Graphic Design 1, Graphic Design 2, Digital Photography 1, Digital Photography 2, Typography 1, Environmental Design, Introduction to Visual Communication, Digital Foundations, Introduction to Time-Based Media, Digital Imaging 1, Essentials of Learning (First Year Experience)
2012 – 2014
Instructor, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Photography 1: 35mm B&W and Color Film, Large Format B&W
Graduate Assistant, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Seminar in Contemporary Art with John Yau
The Galleries at Mason Gross School of the Arts with Director Latoya Ruby Frazier
2010 – 2012
Graduate Technical Assistant, MICA, Baltimore, MD
Graduate Research Lab for Photography, Video, Sound, and Digital Printing
2011
Graduate Teaching Intern, MICA, Baltimore, MD
Imaging from Culture with Nancy Roeder
Studio Writing Project Assistant, MICA, Baltimore, MD
Fibers Department
2009
Adjunct Professor, The City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY
Integrated Advertising
2000
Teaching Assistant, Pratt Institute, New York, NY
Design Procedures with Elaine Petschek
Illustration with Scott Menchin
1996 – 1998
Exhibition/Docent Program Assistant, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Davis Museum and Cultural Center
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND FIELDWORK
2022
Printmaker, Risograph Printing: Architecture and Geometric Art. Warshagraph at
Safat Studios, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Artist, Photographic Fieldwork. Photography excursions to Maine, Provence, France, and Vienna, Austria
2019
Printmaker, Alternative Digital Printing. Craig Stevens at Maine Media Workshops Rockland, ME
Artist, Photographic Fieldwork. Photography excursions to UAE, Egypt, Philippines,
and Thailand
2018
Artist in Residence, Creating a Photography Exhibition. American United School Kuwait
Designer, Building Words Like Pictures. Dan Rhatigan of Adobe at -ING Creatives Conference. Dubai, UAE
Photographer,Storytelling, Nat Geo Style. Karen Kamasuki of National Geographic at
-ING Creatives Conference. Dubai, UAE
Artist, Photographic Fieldwork. Photography excursions to France, UAE, and Qatar
2017
Book Designer, Visual Storytelling. Debbie Millman at -ING Creatives Conference.
Dubai, UAE
Curator and Exhibit Designer, MoMa’s Spaces. Ingrid Chou of MoMa at -ING Creatives Conference. Dubai, UAE
Artist, Photographic Fieldwork. Photography excursions to Italy, Jordan, Bahrain, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia
2016
Artist, Photographic Fieldwork. Photography excursions to Qatar and Japan
2014 – 2015
Archivist and Photographer, The Artwork of Marie Lenches. The Estate of Marie Lenches. Washington, D.C.
2013
Filmmaker, From Still Images to Video: Memory Safari. Dan Bailey of Penland School of Crafts. Asheville, NC
SERVICE
2022 – present
Member, University Research and Grants Committee. American University of Kuwait
Graphic Design Faculty Advisor, AUKuwait Review Student Arts and Literary Magazine. American University of Kuwait
Founding Faculty Advisor, Student Photography Club. American University of Kuwait
Graphic Designer, NASA Space Apps Challenge Kuwait. American University of Kuwait
2021 – present
Graphic Design Faculty Consultant, VOICE Student Magazine. American University
of Kuwait
2017 – present
Capstone Coordinator, Department of Art and Graphic Design. American University
of Kuwait
Academic Advisor, Department of Art and Graphic Design Majors. American University
of Kuwait
Member, Department of Art and Graphic Design Exhibition and Planning Committee. American University of Kuwait
Photowalk Field Trip Leader, Al Shaheed Park. American University of Kuwait
Member, International Council of Design (ico-D)
2012 – present
Member, Society for Photographic Education (SPE)
2021
Introduction to Multimedia/Time-Based Media Course Curriculum Developer, Department of Art and Graphic Design. American University of Kuwait
Workshop Facilitator,Douglas Davis: Using the Creative Strategy Framework. American University of Kuwait
Workshop Facilitator, Arabic Type Crique with Special Guests Rita Merhreb and Dr. Fahad Dhawi. Graphic Design 2 Class. American University of Kuwait
2020
Guest Juror,VOICE Student Magazine Post Card Competition. History of Graphic Design Class. American University of Kuwait
2019
Exhibition Curator and Photobook Editor, Photography 2 Final Portfolios. American University of Kuwait
Tour Organizer, Guided tour of The Place I Call Home photography exhibition.
Portfolio review with the curator of the exhibition, David Drake, Director of Ffotogallery,
the national photography agency for Wales. British Council and Americani Cultural
Center/DAI. Kuwait
Streaming Educational Video Host, Online Field Trip: Exploring Dubai Design Week Live via Instagram. Dubai, UAE
Workshop Organizer, Introduction to Photography Lighting and Still Life with Bishara Mustafa. AAB World Academy. Kuwait
2018 – 2019
Lecture Series Coordinator, Department of Art and Graphic Design Lecture Series Committee. American University of Kuwait
Member, University Policy and Procedures Committee. American University of Kuwait
Curator, Academic Showcase Exhibition of Student Work. American University of Kuwait
Promoter, AUKuwait Review Student Magazine. American University of Kuwait
2017 – 2019
Member, Department of Art and Graphic Design Technology Committee. American University of Kuwait
2018
Book Manuscript Reviewer, Paul Hill, Approaching Photography – New Edition.
Bloomsbury Publishing. London, England
Workshop Organizer, Introduction to Flash Photography and Portraiture with Bahaadeen Al-Qazwini. AAB World Academy. Kuwait
Graphic Designer, NASA Space Apps Challenge Kuwait. AUK RISE. American University of Kuwait
2017 – 2018
Illustration and Digital Photography 2 Course Curriculum Developer, Department of Art and Graphic Design Curriculum Committee. American University of Kuwait
Member, University Professional Development Committee. American University of Kuwait
2017
Workshop Facilitator, Hasan Elahi: Surveillance Culture and Digital Mapping. American University of Kuwait
Guest Critic, Professional Practices Course. American University of Kuwait
Contributor, Industry & Education Forum Moderated by Tom P. Ashe. Society for Photographic Education National Conference. Orlando, FL
2016– 2017
Member, University Curriculum Committee. American University of Kuwait
Design Juror, 3D Design Course. American University of Kuwait
1998 – 2017
Member, American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
2016
Guest Critic, Typography 3 Course. American University of Kuwait
2012 – 2016
Member, American Association of Museums (AAM)
2012 – 2014
Undergraduate Student Mentor, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University.
New Brunswick, NJ
2001 – 2004
Member, Art Directors Club (ADC)
2000 – 2003
Member,Graphic Artists Guild (GAG)
1998 – 2001
Founding Member,Pratt Graduate Communications Design Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
SKILLS AND ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Digital: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere, After Effects, Animate, Dreamweaver, HTML, Office, project management, learning management (Moodle), email content management (Exact Target)
Extensive travel and residency in Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and South America; French fluency; fine art and conceptual photography; photo retouching; digital collage; digital illustration; pen & ink and gouache illustration
CLAIRE GIDDINGS 