Rate My Professor Anthony Acock

Anthony Acock is the Chair and Associate Professor of Graphic Design in the Department of Art at Cal Poly Pomona, contributing significantly to the Arts and Culture faculty. He earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Oregon State University in 2004 and an MFA in Communication Design from Pratt Institute in 2012, with a thesis titled "Empathy, Identity, and the Environment" that explores design's role in supporting marginalized populations. Acock began his tenure-track career as Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Cal Poly Pomona in September 2013. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Central Missouri from 2012 to 2013 and as Graduate Teaching Assistant in Communication Design at Pratt Institute from 2010 to 2012.

As a freelance art director, Acock specializes in the nonprofit sector, partnering with entities like Cal Poly Pomona and the Inland Valley Down Syndrome Association to amplify community impact through effective graphic design. His academic interests include empathy in design, interdisciplinary collaborations, and punk culture, reflected in his regular writings and teaching in areas such as motion graphics, print design, environmental graphics, visual communication, typography, and web design. Acock received the College of Environmental Design Outstanding Faculty Award in 2017 and co-authored a project recognized on the Wall of COOL for innovative teaching technology in 2016. His design work has earned awards including AIGA Orange County Bronze (2017), multiple Connecticut Art Directors Club silvers and excellences (2005-2008), and Ad Club of Connecticut awards. Exhibitions include international juried group shows at Quadratfuß New Mexico (2018) and Budapest (2016), Anex:art Berlin (2016), and various solo and group exhibitions in the U.S. He serves as Education Co-Director on the AIGA Los Angeles Board of Directors and Ambassador for the Innovation Center of Design Excellence. At Cal Poly Pomona, Acock has chaired the Art Department Technology and Space Committees, advised student groups like ASA/AIGA and poly-kroma, and contributed to university-wide committees including IT Governance and Curriculum.