Gina Gray

University of Dayton
Art Director, University Marketing and Communications

I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio—a city rich with invention. I’m sure you’ve heard of Orville and Wilbur Wright and the invention of flight (right here in Dayton) but did you know that the pop top for beverage cans, the ice cube tray, the parachute, the cash register AND space food were also invented in my hometown? With this history of innovation, how could I not become a creative?

I’ve known I wanted to be graphic designer, even though I didn’t know that’s what it was called, since I was 13 years old. I designed a magazine by hand in art class complete with makeup ads and articles about lord only knows. I had a really amazing teacher who lit a spark in me that I still get today when I get inspired and in the zone on a project. I studied design at Ohio University and I’ve been doing this work for over twenty years and I feel so fortunate that I have found a career that combines my love of math, lines, shapes, words and color. I feel even more fortunate that I have been doing this type of work in higher education for more than half of my career. Working for a university is a singular experience and I have found that it feels much more like a family than a workplace. Being able to help shape the future generations, in our small part as designers, feels important.

I first found UCDA in 2011 and eureka—this was my tribe! Finding other designers who understand how unique it is to work in higher education and who also like to nerd out about fonts and paper was such a good feeling. My first true bonding experience was chatting with a fellow group of designers in Phoenix about the documentary Helvetica. I’ve been a UCDA devotee ever since.

Organizations like UCDA are so important. We, as human beings, need to keep learning and being challenged. This organization gives us that opportunity. Not only that, but it provides a community of like-minded folks who understand the challenges, the responsibilities and the intricacies of working for a university or college. I joined the board so that I could be a part of the foundation of this community. I’m so happy to be here.