Chair of Communications Design Honored

Fred Murrell, Chair of RMCAD’s Communications Design Department, was recently named a fellow of AIGA Colorado. Prior to 2011, this prestigious honor had only been bestowed upon three other people in the chapter’s 22-year history.

AIGA, the professional association for design, is a nationwide organization whose mission is to “advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force.” It was founded as the American Institute of Graphic Arts in 1914 as a small, exclusive club. Today, it represents more than 22,000 designers across 62 chapters and 240 student groups. It serves as a vehicle for the exchange of ideas and information and strives to advance education in the field of design.

The Colorado chapter, in existence since 1989, includes more than 400 members. On June 22, they held their first ever Fellows Gala, “a special event to celebrate two individuals who have made an indelible impact on design in Denver.” One of those individuals was Marian Halliday, a paper expert with Johnson Printing. The other was our very own Fred Murrell.

Bob Morehouse, who was named a fellow in 2007, explained the significance of the honor.

“The fellow award program is a means of recognizing mature designers who have made a significant contribution to raising the standards of excellence, in practice and conduct, within their local or regional design community, as well as in their local AIGA chapter.”

Mr. Morehouse said that what he loves most about the fellow award is that it examines the whole person – not just their design practice, but also their abilities in the areas of education, writing, leadership and reputation.

Mike Roy, a RMCAD alumnus who now works at MAYA Design, echoed that sentiment in his heartfelt introduction of Fred. Calling Fred a hero of his, he said that having Fred as a professor first and foremost makes you a better person, with the side effect of making you a better designer.

“When you work with Fred as a professional artist or student, he doesn’t teach you design. Rather he teaches you what design actually is. And it’s this deeper understanding that stays with for a lifetime. I know how to make poster because of Fred, but I’m also a better person because of knowing Fred.”

“Tonight," he continued, "June 22, 2011, Fred is officially named a fellow in the AIGA Colorado chapter. And when you look at his resume and look at all his accomplishments, it’s probably no surprise that he’s receiving this distinction this evening. However, even though it may have seemed inevitable to many of us that this moment would come, I for one am honored, and thankful, and absolutely revved to have him officially on record as an AIGA fellow in my hometown. That is awesome. This could have happened anywhere, but I’m so proud Colorado gets to claim him.”

RMCAD is certainly proud that we get to claim him as well! Congratulations, Fred!