Professor Nicole Bent Jones

School of Design – Visual Communication Chairperson
Phone: 1.832.201.3644
Email: nbent@houston.aiuniv.edu

Degrees:

• M.F.A., Design & Technology, Parsons School of Design, a division of New School University, 2001
• B.A., Studio Art, University of Texas at Austin, 1996

It wasn't all that long ago Professor Nicole Bent Jones was a student herself, earning her M.F.A. at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City and studying painting in Paris with New York-based Bulgarian artist Dimitar Yukanov. But since then she has amassed an impressive amount of real-world experience to pass along to her students.

"After graduation, I worked in the industry for awhile and decided that I missed being around students and a learning environment. Within my own Master's program, I saw so many different learning styles and I got to thinking about how I would communicate with all these different learners. It seemed challenging, but I really thought it was something I could succeed at: I knew I was a creative communicator and that I could make students' lives easier. I love it."

While Nicole has all her own academic knowledge to share with students, she believes her real-world experience is just as important. Since earning her Bachelor's degree, she has worked in a variety of visual communication careers: multimedia illustrator, graphic designer, and fine artist. As Chair of AIU Houston's Visual Communication Department, Nicole only hires faculty who also bring real-world experience into the classroom. "Not only does this put faculty in a position to know industry trends and keep students current but also to help students with contacts after they have graduated."

Nicole's teaching experience isn't limited to AIU Houston. She has taught in other Houston-area visual communication departments. "I like AIU for several reasons: first, the faculty really does practice what it preaches; we're out in the trenches. I also like that students get a well-rounded education. Students don't graduate unless they know about both web and print. That makes them more interesting and better sets them up for success in the field."

Biography:

Nicole Bent Jones is the Chairperson for the Visual Communication program at American InterContinental University (AIU) Houston. Nicole teaches traditional and digital art to students in the Digital Design concentration at AIU Houston and is the faculty co-advisor for the International Club. As Visual Communication Chairperson, she is dedicated to developing expert faculty and students as life-long learners by keeping abreast of industry trends and enhancing the classroom experience through campus and off-campus events. The 2007 Art Affair that resulted in AIU students earning seven of the top ten places, including first through fourth place, is evidence of her dedication to faculty and students.

She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from Parsons School of Design and served as the Printmaking Commission representative for New School University. Nicole also studied painting in Paris, France under Bulgarian artist, Dimitar Yukanov. Prior to living in New York, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Austin and worked as a multimedia illustrator in Texas, completing projects for The University of Texas Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Natural Resource Commission, and other companies.

Today, she continues to be a multimedia illustrator and exhibit fine art work internationally. She has donated artwork to the American Cancer Society and other charity organizations. In 2006, Nicole represented Jamaica and the USA in an artist-in-residency program in Bad Langensalza/Thuringia, Germany, organized by the Center for Arts and Humanity. She and Professor Douglas were chosen as two of twelve artists from seven countries to work in the historically preserved monument house, Rosenthal, to create room installations and give new meaning to the abandoned home illustrating German history.

Through 2008, she exhibited work at Simply Art Gallery in Galveston, Texas. Most recently, in 2012, Nicole designed a logo for the Jamaica-Galveston Festival and exhibited work at the Tremont Hotel as part of the Galveston ArtWalk in Galveston, Texas. Also, she most recently painted a mural for a pediatric dental office, SweetPea Smiles in Sugarland, Texas.

She is currently earning her doctoral degree in Business Administration, Financial Management, in hopes of consulting with design professionals on financial management practices.

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