Creative Problem-Solver

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Jp Avila is a creative problem-solver; he starts with big picture strategic-thinking and then rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. Jp is passionate about building collaborative working groups that bring unique voices and perspectives together to help create stronger results. For over 20 years Jp focused his work in the fields of higher education and design–combining academics, strategic thinking, visual communication, and design to provide opportunities for creative exploration and mentorship of the next generation.

Jp is known for blurring the line between classroom and community through study abroad learning trips, student internships, and community-based learning collaborations.

Jp has been a designer his whole life. As a child he created drawings and designs for print and 3D pieces that told the stories of people and place. He holds degrees from Valparaiso University (BA) and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA) in Visual Communication. It was at SAIC where he learned to blend his expertise in design and journalism to create visual novellas as part of his research on non-linear narrative structures.

He has written articles and presented lectures on comics, sustainable design practices, departmental leadership, and podcasting. He provides consultations to universities for departmental reviews and strategic planning.

Jp has served on various boards and committees relating to the arts, culture, equity, diversity, and educational policy. He currently serves as chair for the Board of the Directors of Hilltop Artists. He served nine years as chair of the Department of Art & Design at Pacific Lutheran University.

Jp has called the Pacific Northwest home for almost two decades.

This is Design School

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This is Design School is a podcast for the growing designer, those interested in design, or those who want a reminder as to why they went into design. It’s a podcast built out of curiosity.

During a lunch meeting with one of his former students and PLU alumnus, Chad Hall, the two talked about their shared interest in podcasts. When Jp said that he would love to have a podcast to talk with students and professionals about their design education, Chad challenged him to make it happen.

This Is Design School came together the following month with some simple equipment and editing software. Six years later, they are still at it, interviewing young designers and seasoned professionals with the goal of elevating the discourse around design education.Some amazing interviews with the guests to the podcast. Check out your favorite designers.

YEAR ONE: Jp Avila & Chad Hall, Samuel Hosman, Jessica Frongello, Brittany Staten, Paige Pauli, Daniel Worthington, Matt Knorr, Ryan Applegate, Scott Ichikawa, Jon Cook, Adriel Rollins.

YEAR TWO: Karen Cheng, Taylor Cox, Gage Mitchell & Jen Stewart, Benjamin Shown, Krista Fredricks, Terry Marks, Rebecca Stewart-Johnson, Erin Kendig, Karen Gutowsky

YEAR THREE: Gabri Joy Kirkendall, Lance Kagey, John Snavely, Michael Smith, Jp Avila, Anna Brayton

YEAR FOUR: Michael Bierut, Nicole Gleadle, Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar, Silong Chhun, Timothy Bardlavens, Sean Munson, Jeff Barlow, Sheryl Cababa, Annabelle Gould

YEAR FIVE: Megan Ruhlach & Quba Michalski (Live at SIC), Hugh Dubberly, Minnie Bredouw, MacBeth Watson, Diane Lee, Scott Tong, Annu Yadav, August de los Reyes

YEAR SIX: Debbie Millman, Cynthia Lawson Jaramillo, Leisha Muraki, Catherine Lim and Jennifer Cheng, Mitzi Okou, Frank Chimero

Socially Isolated

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Socially Isolated is a podcast where we discuss different aspects of pop culture through the lens of something specifically Pacific Northwest. Each episode we discuss pieces of art or culture that provide context to current events.

Portfolio

Early in his career Jp knew he wanted to work on projects for the social good. Believing that good design should not be just for well-established companies, Jp has dedicated his career to upstart projects and projects that focus on community and the well-being of people. Jp continues to use design to build a better community.

A list of clients Jp has worked with.

Brauer Museum of Art, Chinese/Japanese Studies, City of Tacoma, CityArts Magazine, Crane-Enterprises, Elect Elizabeth Wuerffel, Flight Path, FRIENDS of Art, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Griffin Marketing Services, Heather Cornelius, INTERLINK Language Center, KPLU 88.5FM, LMC International, Lutheran Reader, MultiCare Health Center, Modern Collision Rebuild, PCC Community Wellness Center, Post Defiance, Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education, Presidential Leadership Group, Red Buckle Shoes, Simmons Law Firm, Tacoma South Sound Mini Maker Faire, The Northwest Cook Leaders, The Wild Hope Project, Theological Exploration of Vocation, Tim Jenkins Photography, T’wina Nobles Campaign, Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, Valparaiso University Office of Admissions, Valparaiso University Student Affairs Office, Visiting Writer Series, Wang Center Symposium: Legacies of the Shoah, Washington State Debate Coalition.

Hilltop Artists
The Grand Cinema
The Center for Gender Equity
Valparaiso University Alumni Association

Teaching Sustainability
Teaching the Graphic Novel
Flora + Familia
Lives Intersecting
American Council on Education
The Business of Holidays

Something sweet

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There are a few things that Jp loves — chocolate, design, and quality craftsmanship. Cocoa Tacoma is the embodiment of all of these as expressed through leatherworking.

What started as a one-day leatherworking class has turned into a new avenue of creative exploration for Jp. Cocoa Tacoma prides itself in high-quality craftsmanship. The care and dedication put into crafting each piece translates into a product that can endure a lifetime of use. Products are designed to be multifunctional and stylish; that is the key advantage compared to our competition.