Christopher Sleboda

Christopher Sleboda is a designer, illustrator, curator and educator. In addition to teaching at RISD, he is an associate professor of graphic design at Boston University, where he teaches across the undergraduate and MFA graphic design programs. From 2005–20, he served as the director of graphic design at the Yale University Art Gallery, overseeing graphic design and wayfinding for the museum—from exhibition identities, motion graphics and signage to brochures, programs and art books. Sleboda worked closely with graphic design students in the Yale MFA program and organized public events like the Odds and Ends Art Book Fair as well as talks by visiting graphic designers.

Sleboda is the co-founder of Draw Down Books, which was conceived as a platform to design, publish and sell titles that focus on graphic design, typography, photography, illustration, architecture and art. The project has offered him opportunities to curate exhibitions, exhibit and speak at artist book fairs and take an active role in the independent publishing community.

Since 2003 Sleboda has produced work under the studio name Gluekit. This award-winning practice provides graphic images and photo-illustration for an international clientele; projects range from theater graphics to editorial illustrations and book covers. His designs have won numerous awards, including recognition by AIGA 50 Books, the Type Directors Club, Print magazine and various national and international competitions. Sleboda’s work is featured in more than a dozen books about graphic design, product design and illustration, and he is the author of two monographs: Cleon Peterson (2015) and Hardcore Fanzine: Good and Plenty, 1989–1993 (2019).