By Matthew McGovern
As part of an ongoing series of lectures at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s College of Art, Design and Performance organized by graphic arts professor Erika Greenberg-Schneider, the university hosted notable designer Abbott Miller at Harbor Hall for two lectures on Sept. 29 and 30.
Miller’s career in design began after he graduated from Cooper Union in 1985. Since then, his body of work has grown to be interdisciplinary. In his three-decade career, Miller has authored multiple books on aesthetic principles and designed exhibitions for the likes of the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna, as well as the estates of Jean-Michel Basquiat and John Coltrane.
“As far as I’m concerned, he’s the king of type,” Greenberg-Schneider said. “When he’s composing something and when we talk about it, it’s really fascinating.”
The first of Miller’s two lectures at USF revolved around his role as the designer of Rolling Stone: AMPLIFIED, an immersive art experience in which he and his team refined over 16,000 images from Rolling Stone magazine’s illustrious 50-year history into one cohesive exhibition.
Attendees were informed on how type and text played a pivotal role in encompassing the history of an undoubtedly iconic publication. Miller honed in on the initial challenge of relying heavily on animation for this project, but he simply had to roll with the punches.
Having known Miller for over two decades, Greenberg-Schneider explained how these challenges are inevitable in a rapidly evolving technological world.
“When [Rolling Stone] wanted to bring him on for all his talents, he was like ‘Wow,’, and I wanted the kids to hear that,” said Greenberg-Schneider. “At one point, he mentioned how he was 62 and that it was his first time doing animation.”
The idea that design continues to evolve resonated with students, including Jadon Gotay, a second-year student in the graphic arts program.
Gotay, who was vaguely familiar with Miller’s work prior to the lectures, described how his perspective was broadened.
“The product he showed last night was very different from what I understood graphic design to be – things ranging from poster design, web design, book design, all of these kinds of things,” said Gotay. “He showed us a 3-D design on four walls and a floor, and I was blown away by the fact that that was graphic design.”
The second lecture delivered by Miller was reserved for students and faculty of the graphic arts program and focused on his work as an exhibition and print designer. More specifically, his recent work at Museo Casa Kahlo in Mexico City, where he served as the designer and curator for the museum celebrating the life and work of Frida Kahlo.
Students have been informed about Miller’s visit to USF, helping them understand the value of his work and presence on campus. Gotay described how students were made aware for weeks on where to find previous lectures by Miller and which classrooms he would be visiting during his trip to USF.
“We have known about Abbott coming ever since Erika was in talks with him to come to USF. We knew every step of the way so that we could interact with him,” said Gotay.
Building context for high-profile professionals in the world of design is an important facet of the lecture series, Greenberg Schneider explained. Miller was specifically selected to speak to students to double down on the mindset of producing exceptional and prestigious work.
“If you don’t raise the level, then they won’t get halfway,” said Greenberg-Schneider. “I want them halfway, so I raise it double.”
Post Views: 51
Written by: Matthew McGovern on October 29, 2025.
Last revised by: Julia Ferrara
