Bob Usdin is Founder and CEO of ShowFab which specializes in custom technical design and fabrication for the entertainment industry including television, live and special events, cruise ships, museums, and Broadway. A graduate of SUNY Purchase in Technical Production he founded ShowFab in 1986 with a few carpenters and a table saw.  Now in its 39^th year, ShowFab boasts the most extensive use of technology for fabrication with 2d and 3d laser, waterjet, and CNC cutting, foam carving, 3d printing and graphics all executed by an incredible team of project managers, foreman, technical designers, carpenters, welders, electricians, automation techs, CNC operators and scenic artists.

With great people, the best technology, and fabulous facilities, ShowFab delivers projects for distinguishing A-list clients such as Christian Dior, Disney, ABC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Jameson, Google and numerous artists.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea, bring your favor book cover, and come view, "To Judge a Book By Its Cover," a senior thesis project exhibition by Ava Daly (BFA GD24) in Sojourner Truth Library Lobby. 

Join alumni from the Graphic Design program who will share some of their recent work and give feedback on your portfolio or current projects. Enjoy some pizza, too!

Confirmed Graphic Design Alumni:

Julia Howard (2021), Designer, black dog DESIGNS
Danielle Nelson (2014), Lead Designer, Wagmo
Drew Park (2016), Senior Graphic Designer, Brunswick Creative Campaigns and Content
Mary-Anne Ramirez (2014), Lead UI/UX Designer, Workfolio
Amanda Schmadel (2014), Art Director and Digital Specialist, Emerson Ward

What can you do with a Master of Arts in Digital Design & Fabrication? Meet faculty, students, and check out facilities during this open house event. Sponsored by the Office of Graduate Admissions at SUNY New Paltz.

There will be pizza!

Join Keith Helmetag, a founding partner of C&G Partners, for a conversation on professional practices and design career paths. This session is intended for current students and emerging designers.

Helmetag's work at C&G Partners in exhibition, signage, and experiential installation design includes the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, San Diego’s Serra Museum, San Francisco’s Oceanwide Center Elim Alley History Walk, Washington State Parks’ Goldendale Observatory, the Kennedy Library, the NY State Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Yankee Stadium, Scenic Hudson’s West Point Foundry Preserve and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

Keith was a finalist for the  Smithsonian Institution’s National Design Award in Communication Graphics and recipient of awards from the Society of Experiential Graphic Designers, the American Institute of Architects' Committee on the Environment (COTE) as well as a Sappi Ideas That Matter grantee that promoted literacy and lemur conservation in Madagascar. 

Keith has a MBA from New York University and BA from University of California/ Berkeley. Keith has been an adjunct professor at Cal, NYU and University of the Arts as well as a frequent lecturer on Communication Graphics in Cities, Landscape and Architecture.  

Christopher Sleboda and Kathleen Sleboda currently split their time between Boston and Connecticut. Together, the pair have run Draw Down Books, publishing and curating printed matter, since 2012. They also create illustrations as Gluekit, design for clients in the cultural sector and the arts, and teach at Boston University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Previously, Christopher was Director of Graphic Design at the Yale University Art Gallery for 15 years, and Kathleen, an enrolled member of the Coldwater Band (nɬeʔképmx), worked as an archivist at the Beinecke Rare Books Library at Yale University. Draw Down has been active in the artist book space for over a decade, organizing and curating fairs (the Otis MFA GD Fair, Odds and Ends at the Yale University Art Gallery, and Multiple Formats at Boston University) and participating in over 50 book fairs around the world.

Students, alumni, and faculty, local designers will share their current work in a rapid presentation format. MC'd by Associate Professor of Digital Design and Fabrication Aaron Nelson, the Slide Slam is always a fun and entertaining way to end Design Week. Refreshments and light fare.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: