In 1985, I established my graphic design business, Denise Laurin Visual Art, Inc., as a means to expand my artistic abilities, to express my creativity, and to use my talents and abilities to their highest potential. As the graphic arts industry transformed through technology, my business transformed, too. Having studied design prior to the computer revolution, I found technological advances to be overwhelming, but eventually I came to embrace it, and even teach it. In addition to its sheer magic, the gift that technology has brought me is the need to reconnect meaningfully with my passion for drawing and painting, the path that originally lead me to design. Now, I recognize that I am both designer and fine artist.

Whether your interest is in graphic design or fine art, I invite you to explore the work in both of my virtual portfolios.

Graphic Design
Denise Laurin Visual Art, Inc. specializes in visual strategy and implementation for print design. Throughout my career, I have worked with many Fortune 500 clients including Baxter International and Kraft, gaining a reputation for compelling and effective design and excellence in project management. My work has won numerous awards, has been shown at the New York Art Directors’ Club, and was featured in such national publications as "Healthcare Marketing Report", "Graphic Design: USA", and the "Guerrilla Marketing Handbook". A complete client list can be found in the graphic design section of this site.

Highlights of my career include being named "Woman of the Year" by Women in Design/Chicago, and being referenced in "Green at Work: Finding a Business Career that Works for the Environment," by Susan Cohn, as a result of my publication design work for Baxter's Office of Environmental Affairs over a period of several years.

Fine Art
Throughout my career as a designer, I have sought opportunities to hone my artistic skills and advance as an artist. Often, I put my drawing and painting skills to work as design solutions, as in the Chanterelles identity. Since 1998, I have actively sought to expand my presence as a fine artist by participating in many exhibitions, beginning with “en route” in February of 2000 at the Fine Arts Building Gallery in Chicago, and accepting various commissioned work. A complete listing of exhibitions can be found in the Fine Arts section of this website.

Education
I received my Master of Arts degree in art history from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, and my Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art and art history from Northern Illinois University. Prior to my studies at Northern, I was a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Highlights of my academic experience include an art history tour of Japan anda teaching assistantship for "Introduction to the Visual Arts" at Northern Illinois University.

Both my design and fine art vision and skills have been expanded through private lessons at Cole Studio, a fine art studio located in Chicago's landmark Fine Arts Building, classes at both the School of the Art Institute and the American Academy of Art, a creativity worskshop in the Loire Valley in France, as well as technological workshops with Dynamic Graphics Educational Foundation in Peoria, Illinois.

In addition to my activities as a fine artist and designer, I have taught graphic design and art history at Westwood College of Technology, DuPage, and currently I teach art history and art appreciation at Elgin Community College. Creativity coaching in art and private instruction in Mac-based QuarkXPress, Photoshop and Illustrator are available to interested students.