Born and raised in Texas, Ryan Feerer (Class of 2007) returns to the MFA Design studio to speak to first year students about his life and work as a designer and illustrator. Feerer merges typography and illustration with humor, working on projects from local businesses to international campaigns for brands like Academy Sports & Outdoors, Ace Hotel, Etsy, Fossil, Meta, Snapchat, and Target.

In 2021, he designed the USPS Western Wear stamp series. Feerer’s work focuses on creating unique, timeless designs, emphasizing “good things for good people.” He also co-owns the apparel brand Fieldschool with colleague Mike Wiggins. Additionally, he serves as an associate professor and director of the graphic design program at Abilene Christian University.

From Ryan’s lecture, I learned the importance of flexibility in terms of navigating difficult demands while still maintaining a clear long-term plan. —Lily She (Class of 2026)

I love how Ryan’s design style is highly cohesive—everything, from his typography and color choices to his textures and vector vintage style, is a clear reflection of his unique approach. Each element of his work speaks for him, creating a strong, consistent identity that ties everything together. —Jiaqi Sun (Class of 2026)