Mariah Slenk
Assistant Professor of Design
Education
MDes in Graphic Design, University of Illinois Chicago, 2023
BFA in Graphic Design, BA in Spanish, Trinity Christian College 2020
Associated Academic Programs
Art & Design“I pray that my design students not only come out of Trinity with a deep understanding of design principles and technical skills, but also that they are empowered to make work that brings goodness and redemption into the world. As an instructor, I love having the opportunity to connect with students on an individual basis. My classes are small enough that we can build personal relationships. I love getting to know what makes my students tick: the things that are important to them and the ways they can incorporate their interests into their design studies.”
Since she was young, Professor Mariah Slenk was always curious about how the world works and why people think and interact the way they do. She believes this is the foundation of her design practice. She says, “staying curious allows for continual discovery, surprises and growth.” As she grew up, she fell in love with design and the freedom of creativity that comes along with it.
“I believe the practice of design is all about empathy. To be a designer means stepping into the lives of others, learning from them, and then creating tools or solutions with them” states Professor Slenk. She believes design gives us a greater understanding of what it means to be human; is an investigation in human behavior and human interaction. It pushes us to see more than bodies in space, but rather examine, understand, and recreate the way we communicate and interact with each other. A key part of the flourishing of all people is creating inclusive spaces and experiences that improve the lives of others.
What drew her to Trinity:
Trinity’s small and tight-knit community drew her to The College when she first visited as a senior in high school. She had originally had her mind set on a school in Seattle and visited Trinity one last time to count it out. When she came to campus that day, she instantly felt at home and had a feeling deep in my heart that Trinity was the place for her. She spent the next 4 years doing some of the most important growth in her life here: spiritually, academically, and emotionally.
Research interests:
My personal design practices and research interests revolve around ideas of belonging. I am interested in the ways that place and geography shape who we are, what/where we call “home”, and the ways we feel like we belong (or don’t belong) in different spaces. Logo and Branding design is an example of work I do that is about belonging. Building brands that identify a group of people generate community, belonging, and pride. Throughout graduate school, my work has been about my own sense of unsettlement with the places I have lived and an exploration to understand what “home” means to me.
When she is not teaching:
When not teaching, you can find Mariah hanging out with her husband, riding her bike on the trails near her house, curled up under a blanket with an enjoyable book or working on design projects with her freelance clients.
- + Expertise
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Since she was young, Professor Mariah Slenk was always curious about how the world works and why people think and interact the way they do. She believes this is the foundation of her design practice. She says, “staying curious allows for continual discovery, surprises and growth.” As she grew up, she fell in love with design and the freedom of creativity that comes along with it.
“I believe the practice of design is all about empathy. To be a designer means stepping into the lives of others, learning from them, and then creating tools or solutions with them” states Professor Slenk. She believes design gives us a greater understanding of what it means to be human; is an investigation in human behavior and human interaction. It pushes us to see more than bodies in space, but rather examine, understand, and recreate the way we communicate and interact with each other. A key part of the flourishing of all people is creating inclusive spaces and experiences that improve the lives of others.
What drew her to Trinity:
Trinity’s small and tight-knit community drew her to The College when she first visited as a senior in high school. She had originally had her mind set on a school in Seattle and visited Trinity one last time to count it out. When she came to campus that day, she instantly felt at home and had a feeling deep in my heart that Trinity was the place for her. She spent the next 4 years doing some of the most important growth in her life here: spiritually, academically, and emotionally.
Research interests:
My personal design practices and research interests revolve around ideas of belonging. I am interested in the ways that place and geography shape who we are, what/where we call “home”, and the ways we feel like we belong (or don’t belong) in different spaces. Logo and Branding design is an example of work I do that is about belonging. Building brands that identify a group of people generate community, belonging, and pride. Throughout graduate school, my work has been about my own sense of unsettlement with the places I have lived and an exploration to understand what “home” means to me.
When she is not teaching:
When not teaching, you can find Mariah hanging out with her husband, riding her bike on the trails near her house, curled up under a blanket with an enjoyable book or working on design projects with her freelance clients.