Dave Gottwald
Oakland Museum of California
www.museumca.org
Dave received his BA in history from California State University San Marcos in 2001, yet his work experience for over nine years has been in the field of graphic design. Until beginning graduate studies at the Academy of Art University in 2005, Dave worked at a variety of service bureaus and in-house art departments before becoming principal of his own multimedia firm, Optional Design Group.
After serving on the AIGA San Francisco board as Student Liason for three years — which included coordinating student events and getting coffee for fellow board members — Dave became Education Co-Chair upon completion of his MFA in graphic design in May, 2009. At the 2009 AIGA Leadership retreat in Portland, Oregon he co-led a breakout session on student group involvement. As Education Co-Chair, he strives to further reach out to both students and design educators in the Bay Area by coordinating AIGA Portfolio Day, the Enrichment Scholarships and other educational programming.
Dave is currently senior graphic designer in the history department of the Oakland Museum of California. He recently completed “Coming to California,” the history gallery reinstallation project, which opened May 1, 2010. Dave also teaches part-time periodically at the Academy of Art University. More information about his MFA thesis project, Themerica — A Visual History of Thematic Design from Disneyland to Dubai, can be found at www.themerica.org.
