About

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Olivia S Verdugo is a graphic designer and bird-nerd, passionate about mission-driven work, interdisciplinary cross-pollination, space exploration, fine art, and urban nature.

She is currently the Design Lead at the MIT Media Lab, where she is responsible for design supporting both Lab-wide initiatives and individual research, and for maintaining the integrity of the Lab’s visual standards and brand identity.

After initially studying dramaturgy, Olivia gravitated towards design as a discipline that intersects with many others, offering endless opportunities for learning. Drawing on her interests outside of the field to inform her work, her multidisciplinary approach to design has led to a career that has spanned the museum industry, the fine arts, and the sciences.

In addition to her design work, she creates textile art as part of CRUSH studio, an ongoing materials collaboration between herself and artist Jenna Robb.

Outside of the design studio, she loves camping and spending time with her husband and pet pigeons. ₊⊹

Talks, podcasts

In-house/In-Focus/In-Person, 2026
Olivia speaks about the things that have shaped her design practice and work at the MIT Media Lab

The Illustration Department Podcast interview, 2022

Athletics NYC Design Talk, 2021
Olivia speaks about the history and architecture of the Barnes Foundation, and graphic design for the museum and special exhibitions
⸝⸝⸝ jump to history
⸝⸝⸝ jump to architecture
⸝⸝⸝ jump to design

Education

Rhode Island School of Design
MFA, with honors, Graphic Design
Providence, RI, USA
RISD GD MFA 2011 group thesis site

Oberlin College
BA, Dramaturgy, Art
Oberlin, OH, USA

Certifications

Nielsen Norman Group
UX Certificate
Boston, MA, USA

Brown University
Sheridan Teaching Certificate
Providence, RI, USA

Awards

Olivia’s designs have been recognized by GD USA, the How In-House Design Awards, Graphis, the American Advertising ADDY Awards, Type Director’s Club TDC58, and Print Magazine’s Regional Design Annual.

During her time at RISD she was awarded RISD’s Graphic Design Graduate Fellowship Award and RISD’s Joan Shewmon Memorial Scholarship for excellence in graphic design.

Experience

The MIT Media Lab
Design Lead, 2022–present

The Barnes Foundation Museum
Art Director, 2017–2022
Graphic Designer, 2013–2017

URBN
Web Graphic Designer, Free People, 2012–2013
Print Graphic Designer, Urban Outfitters, 2011–2012

Rhode Island School of Design, Edna Lawrence Nature Laboratory
Designer + Graduate Assistant, 2008–2011

Teaching / teaching adjacent

Visiting Workshop Critic, Appalachian State University
Branding and Visual Identity,
Spring 2024, Spring 2026

Visiting Critic, Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at George Washington University
Graphic Design, Spring 2023

Visiting Critic, University of Pennsylvania
Graphic Design, Fall 2018–Spring 2021

Visiting Critic, Maryland Institute College of Art
Winter 2015, Winter 2016

Graduate Thesis Advisor, Rhode Island School of Design
Winter 2011 – Spring 2012

Teaching Assistant, Rhode Island School of Design
⸝⸝⸝ History of Graphic Design, Doug Scott, Spring 2011
⸝⸝⸝ Making Meaning, Hammett Nurosi,
Fall 2010

Guest Lecturer, Rhode Island College
Biomimicry in Graphic Design, Fall 2010

Visiting Teacher, New Urban Arts
City Nature Workshop, Summer 2010