04 / TEACHING / PRACTICE / QUALIFICATIONS
CURRICULUM VITAE
Jared Trask · Artist, designer & educator
I am a Phoenix-based acrylic painter, designer and educator. My paintings bring detailed animal realism into fields of graphic pattern, contrast and scale. Dense brushwork and close observation meet a designer's attention to repetition, hierarchy and rhythm. My wider studio practice includes figure drawing and mural work. In the classroom, I connect making and visual communication through hands-on projects, thoughtful critique and portfolio development.
I hold an MBA in Marketing and a BS in Mass Communications with a focus in Commercial Arts. My experience spans independent creative practice, national event brands, tourism marketing and university teaching, with an emphasis on helping ideas become clear, purposeful visual work.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Mass Communications - Commercial Arts
Academic appointments
Grand Canyon University
Adjunct Professor, August 2025-present. Full-time Instructor, May 2019-August 2025.
- Teach undergraduate courses in advertising, graphic design, typography, creative processes, figure drawing, web and interface design, and professional practice.
- Develop and revise curriculum, assignments and assessment criteria that connect design principles with contemporary industry practice.
- Guide students through research, concept development, critique, production and portfolio presentation.
- Contribute to degree and course development as a subject matter expert, peer reviewer and planning collaborator.
National American University
Developed and taught two new courses for the Tourism major: IT Applications for Tourism and Destination Tourism.
Teaching approach
Process, experimentation and critique
I give students a clear process and room to experiment. Research, sketching, making and revision help them connect an idea with an audience; critique helps them explain their decisions and see the work more clearly. Client briefs and collaborative projects bring professional expectations into the classroom, while portfolio development turns that experience into evidence of their abilities.
My goal is to strengthen craft, judgment and creative confidence together. I teach across in-person, online and hybrid formats, using structured feedback and practical tools to support different ways of learning.
Selected teaching collaboration
The Grand Collective
Led a client-based album-cover project in Design Studio II, guiding student designers through a professional creative brief, critique and presentation. Students developed the artwork for review by The Grand Collective's leadership.
Courses taught
Advertising
- ADV 110 - Fundamentals of Advertising
- ADV 350 - Digital Advertising Communication
- ADV 355 - Image Creation
- ADV 456 - Design Studio 2
Design and professional practice
- DDN 110 - Design Fundamentals
- DDN 125 - Layout and Composition
- DDN 200 - Creative Processes
- DDN 205 - Figure Drawing
- DDN 210 - Designing with Type
- DDN 255 - Interface Design 2: Web Design
- DDN 276 - Portfolio 1
- DDN 350 - Web Design 2
- DDN 400 - Business for the Design Professional
- DDN 405 - Design Professionalism
- DDN 475 - Advanced Design Practicum
- DDN 476 - Portfolio 2
- DSM 475 - Social Media Capstone
Tourism
- IT Applications for Tourism
- Destination Tourism
Curriculum development
Degree and course development
Contributed as a subject matter expert, peer reviewer and planning collaborator to:
- Advertising and Graphic Design
- Digital Design, Web Design emphasis
- Digital Design, Animation emphasis
- Social Media Design
Mentorship and service
Faculty Mentor to Adjunct Instructors
Provided classroom guidance, observation support and instructional mentorship.
University service
- GCU Faculty Research Advisory Board and Research Development Subcommittee
- GCU Faculty Advisory Board
- Faculty advisor, GCU Mural Club
- Faculty advisor, The Creative Herd
Professional practice
Jared Trask Design & Marketing
Lead independent projects across brand identity, advertising, web, email, social and print, from discovery and creative direction through production. Work serves organizations in tourism, real estate, events, health and wellness, and the arts.
CoolEvents
As Director of Brand Development at CoolEvents, I led the visual direction of seven brands, from initial concepts through visual development and design execution. The brands were Foam Glow, Blacklight Run, Blacklight Slide, Blacklight Wars, Terrain Race, Bubble Run and Ignite Hope. Led a cross-functional creative team and directed campaign work across web, email, social and print.
Earlier professional roles
- Graphic Designer, ATP Flight School | 2013-2014
- Social Media Manager, Village Health Clubs & Spas | 2012-2013
- Multimedia Marketing Manager, Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau / Visit Rapid City | 2008-2012
Selected exhibitions and art events
Rising in Phoenix
Juried group exhibition. Jurors: Clare Verstegen and Susan Beiner.
Shemer Arizona Arts Festival
Participating artist.
Presentations and creative contributions
Web 2.0 Tools & Project-Based Learning
Presentation, GCU Online Teaching Conference / Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching Showcase.
Honest Creativity, by Craig Detweiler
Acknowledged for leading student artists in the creation of chapter artwork.
Recognition and features
Teaching Showcase Award
Grand Canyon University, Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching.
Importance of Arts Education
Featured educator. Discussed the role of creative practice in student learning, professional development and personal expression.
Certification
Social Media Marketing Professional Certification
Areas of practice
Art
Acrylic painting, figure drawing, mixed media, mural production and visual experimentation.
Design
Brand identity, art direction, typography, layout, advertising, web and interface design, email campaigns, photography and video production.
Education
Curriculum development, project-based learning, studio critique, portfolio mentorship, assessment and faculty support.
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Acrobat and Express; Adobe XD and Captivate; WordPress, Wix, HTML, CSS and basic JavaScript; Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and learning management systems.