John Fender, born and raised in Iowa, has been a faculty member in the Department of Art and Design since 1999 and currently serves as Chair of the department. He received a B.F.A. in Design and was awarded an M.F.A. with Commendation in Design, both from The University of Iowa. At Drake, he teaches across all levels of the Graphic Design program, from introductory courses to advanced seminars. Since 1995, Fender has run a design practice dedicated to pursuing a variety of self-initiated projects and freelance collaborations, primarily with small businesses and non-profit organizations. His studio practice is characterized by the exploration of re-purposing, re-cycling, and re-claiming materials and ideas, reflecting a commitment to sustainable practices.
Fender’s studio work aims to create spaces where meaning is not explicitly presented but instead constructed through interpretation. His work functions as a narrative, presenting ideas, objects, places, or people as symbols and then arranging these elements in ways that compel the viewer to build connections and relationships.
