Art Educator
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Debra Valencia, a visionary surface pattern artist, product designer and entrepreneur with a passion for world travel, artisan traditions, pop art and fashion trends, has branded a California style uniquely her own. Her colorful chic products are found in the licensed lifestyle market, appealing to women who love style, fashion and femininity.
Educated as a graphic designer, Debra graduated with a BFA with honors from the University of Arts in Philadelphia. In Los Angeles, she worked for creative agencies, publishers and internet companies prior to starting her own graphic design studio, DeVa Communications. In 2007, Debra launched her namesake lifestyle brand, Debra Valencia™, offering surface design collections. The brand has licensed with over 100 manufacturers across every product category including gift, stationery, craft, textiles, home décor, fashion accessories and beauty. With over 20 years experience, Debra teaches workshops and college courses on surface design and business practices at Otis College of Art + Design and Art Center College of Design, as well as online, at her virtual school, Savvy Surface Design. As an expert on Licensing Art for Royalties, Debra has been featured as a guest speaker nationwide at design conferences, universities and professional groups including Harvard, Cal Poly Tech, University of Wisconsin, Art Center College of Design, American Association of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Association for Creative Industries (AFCI), Society of Typographic Arts (STA), Society of Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD), California Lawyers for the Arts, Association of Valley Professional Photographers, Whole 9 Gallery, California Dept of Education, Employee to Entrepreneur Summit and others. Debra coaches individual artists on their careers and portfolios. She has had the distinction of being selected as a judge of numerous national design competitions, a highly prestigious honor. Her work has won dozens of design industry awards. Debra is the author of a dozen craft books featuring her designs on topics including sewing, embroidery, coloring books and more. |
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Design Industry Expert
Well respected as a design industry expert, Debra has lectured at major institutions and conferences including Harvard University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Cal Poly Tech in San Luis Obispo, AIGA New York, AIGA Los Angeles, Western Regional Conference of the Society of Environmental Graphic Designers (SEGD) and Art Director’s Clubs of both Washington, DC. and San Diego.
Debra has been invited to portfolio reviews for AIGA/LA, Otis Intern Program and National Portfolio Day. She has served as a judge of her peers in numerous national design competitions for AIGA National, Society of Typographic Arts, and Communication Arts, Print and HOW Magazines.
Recent speaking engagements included Feed Your Brain: Introduction to Art Licensing Business for the 2nd consecutive year at the Craft & Hobby Mega Show, Anaheim California. Debra participated in a panel discussion Blueprint Business Series, Beyond Pricing: Licensing, Equity, Venture Capital and More for AIGA LA in Los Angeles. She has also taught small seminars on the topic of art licensing, marketing and business practices for artists and designers.
Debra has been invited to portfolio reviews for AIGA/LA, Otis Intern Program and National Portfolio Day. She has served as a judge of her peers in numerous national design competitions for AIGA National, Society of Typographic Arts, and Communication Arts, Print and HOW Magazines.
Recent speaking engagements included Feed Your Brain: Introduction to Art Licensing Business for the 2nd consecutive year at the Craft & Hobby Mega Show, Anaheim California. Debra participated in a panel discussion Blueprint Business Series, Beyond Pricing: Licensing, Equity, Venture Capital and More for AIGA LA in Los Angeles. She has also taught small seminars on the topic of art licensing, marketing and business practices for artists and designers.