Erica Holeman

Assistant Professor, Communication Design: Graphic Design
Department of Design
940-565-3621
Erica.Holeman@unt.edu
Art Building, Room 345B

Erica Holeman is an assistant professor in the communication design program at the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design. Her work as a graphic designer enlists both traditional and experimental methods applied across identity systems, publications, and web design.

Holeman earned an M.F.A. in graphic design from Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Md., and a B.F.A. in graphic design from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla. In Maryland, she taught graphic design and branding courses at MICA and the University of Maryland Baltimore County while volunteering at portfolio reviews and as a guest critic.

Before becoming a full-time educator, Holeman worked as a senior designer at Pentagram, the world's largest independent design consultancy. Her diverse professional experience includes working in-house design at a non-profit organization, smaller local design agencies, and as a freelance designer. Previous clients include Johns Hopkins University, American Express, The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, commonly called the d.School at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., the Maryland Institute College of Art, and others.

Currently, Holeman teaches undergraduate interaction design and typography courses. Her students have been recognized nationally and internationally in student design competitions, including the 2021 Graphis New Talent Annual. She regularly invites virtual visiting designers to share their professional experiences with students. 

In 2020, Holeman's design work was published in the Communication Arts design annual, one of the world's most exclusive major design competitions. Other recognitions include Graphis, University and College Designers Association, Graphic Design U.S.A., and more. Holeman was recently selected as a 2021 Design Incubation Fellow by Design Incubation, New York City.

Holeman's research centers on empathy and humanity within design and design pedagogy. In 2020, she launched the Creative Minds Series at UNT, a series of events aimed at uncovering, acknowledging, and mitigating mental health issues among practicing artists and designers.