Elaine Lopez is a Cuban American designer, researcher, and educator whose work explores the intersections of art, cultural identity, politics, and publishing. She is an Assistant Professor of Communication Design at Parsons School of Design and the founder of LoPress Press, an independent design studio collaborating with artists, cultural institutions, and arts organizations.
Her research examines the visual culture of Cuba, particularly the role of graphic design, propaganda, and artistic expression in shaping narratives of revolution, resistance, and national identity. Working across archival research, experimental publishing, and Risograph printing, she investigates how design can preserve cultural histories, challenge dominant narratives, and amplify underrepresented voices.
Her creative practice includes collaborations with Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, the Rhode Island School of Design, and other arts and cultural institutions. Across her research, teaching, and professional work, she approaches design as a means of fostering dialogue, connecting communities, and expanding how we understand and communicate culture.
Get in touch via email at lopresspress@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Her research examines the visual culture of Cuba, particularly the role of graphic design, propaganda, and artistic expression in shaping narratives of revolution, resistance, and national identity. Working across archival research, experimental publishing, and Risograph printing, she investigates how design can preserve cultural histories, challenge dominant narratives, and amplify underrepresented voices.
Her creative practice includes collaborations with Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, the Rhode Island School of Design, and other arts and cultural institutions. Across her research, teaching, and professional work, she approaches design as a means of fostering dialogue, connecting communities, and expanding how we understand and communicate culture.
Get in touch via email at lopresspress@gmail.com
teaching
Parsons School of Design/The New School (full-time, tenure-track)
Pratt Institute (full-time, tenure-track)
Maryland Institute College of Art (AICAD Fellow)
Rhode Island School of Design
Chicago Portfolio School
education
Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI
2017-2019
Werkplaats Typografie—ISIA Summer School
Urbino, Italy
Summer 2018
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
2003-2007
awards
2023 Communication Arts
2020, 2022 Society of Typographic Artists
2019 AICAD Post Graduate Teaching Fellowship, MICA
2019 GD USA Designers to Watch
2019 Hispanic Scholarship Foundation
2018 AIGA Worldstudio Coyne Family Foundation Award
2018 Henry Wolf Scholarship
selected clients
Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
CaptivateIQ
Harvard University
Jacobin
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Samsung
Sachs Program for Arts Innovation, University of Pennsylvania
Engaged Humanities Studio, Swarthmore College
University of Pennsylvania
Parsons School of Design/The New School (full-time, tenure-track)
Pratt Institute (full-time, tenure-track)
Maryland Institute College of Art (AICAD Fellow)
Rhode Island School of Design
Chicago Portfolio School
education
Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI
2017-2019
Werkplaats Typografie—ISIA Summer School
Urbino, Italy
Summer 2018
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
2003-2007
awards
2023 Communication Arts
2020, 2022 Society of Typographic Artists
2019 AICAD Post Graduate Teaching Fellowship, MICA
2019 GD USA Designers to Watch
2019 Hispanic Scholarship Foundation
2018 AIGA Worldstudio Coyne Family Foundation Award
2018 Henry Wolf Scholarship
selected clients
Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
CaptivateIQ
Harvard University
Jacobin
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Samsung
Sachs Program for Arts Innovation, University of Pennsylvania
Engaged Humanities Studio, Swarthmore College
University of Pennsylvania