Laura Franz is Chair of the Art & Design Department. She has a BFA from Western Michigan University and a Master’s in Design from Carnegie Mellon University. Her research interests include how we can use theory from established media to inform our understanding of new media and contemporary messages. She writes, presents, and makes art related to typography, how and why people read, and art/design history. She and her wife Samantha live in RI with their teenage daughters, their dog (Daphne), and a cat (Lou). They are usually in negotiations over getting a second dog.