About RJ

RJ Thompson is an award-winning designer, educator, and creative strategist with over 16 years of professional experience and more than 30 years of practice in graphic and web design. He currently serves as Manager of Digital Strategy at the University of Pittsburgh and teaches design and communications at several universities. RJ’s work spans brand development, community engagement, and emerging media, with a strong focus on using design to solve real-world problems. Through consulting, public speaking, and creative entrepreneurship, he continues to shape the future of design in both academic and professional spaces.

Explore the themes, questions, and methods that drive my ongoing inquiry into design, communication, and emerging technologies.

Discover how I bring creative pedagogy, real-world application, and student-centered learning to the classroom across multiple institutions.

Browse a selection of published work that highlights my contributions to design education, marketing, and creative practice.

See how I’ve translated ideas into action through ventures that merge design, community engagement, and social impact.