Nikki Juen

Profile

Nikki Juen is a relational designer. The work she does encourages the respectful and equitable design of relationships. Relationships are not solely about the objects of design, they are also about interactions between humans, ideas, buildings, cities, countries and networks.

Juen is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island and Chair Emerita of the MFA in Graphic Design at Vermont College of Fine Arts. 

Her academic research focuses on the amplification of decolonized pedagogies and curricula, and radical representation in faculty bodies. Her classes, workshops, and mentorships explore the development of the individual focusing on the body as media and the ways humans share a collective social body. 

Juen served for 13 years as a lecturer and critic in the Division of Experimental and Foundation Studies at Rhode Island School of Design where she is the 2019 recipient of The John R. Frazier Award for Excellence in Teaching. Juen is a Graphic Design USA Magazine 2018 Educator to Watch. 

Juen’s collective,  Public Displays of Affection (PDA) is a collective of artists, designers, educators, and organizers that engage in nonviolent direct art action. Their actions start with hope and aim to build communities that thrive on intersecting relationships. To resist misogyny, sexism, and exclusion they practice rematriation and believe interconnectivity is essential in honoring the earth and all living beings. PDA Collective stands in solidarity with a chorus of voices from all socio-economic, geographic, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including indigenous communities, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities.