Professor of Graphic Design Brian Kyle has lived in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona before moving to California for college. He attended PUC and completed his undergraduate degree with a B.S. in Graphic Design and a B.S. in Photography in 2004. As a student, he was employed as a teacher’s assistant and worked with students during labs. Brian realized he really enjoyed teaching, and promised himself that if in the future he had the opportunity to teach that it would be something he should pursue. Eight years after graduation, when he was notified of an opening in the art department teaching photography, Brian jumped at the chance. 

He lived in San Diego County before returning to Napa County in 2012 to work at PUC. Brian also teaches classes in photography, film, and fine art, specifically in printmaking such as screenprinting and woodcuts & etchings.  

What do you appreciate the most from your department? 

The Visual Arts Department is truly an inspiring and creative community. We work together, students and faculty, on a huge amount of projects throughout the year. It’s amazing to see the fruition of projects as they spring to life out of this building. The collaboration that happens as an idea starts to be explored, shaped/re-shaped, and eventually realized is something I really value. I always appreciate that my job allows me to be part of this process with each student. 

Do you have a morning/afternoon routine to prepare for your classes? 

I always start my day with a bike ride ( a short ride to work or a long mountain bike ride in the forest). I like to treat myself to a cup of coffee when I get to my office and then pull up my calendar and Canvas to get myself oriented to what is ahead in my day. 

I teach a lot of classes that span multiple disciplines, and sometimes it takes a bit of work for me to mentally switch gears (for instance, from teaching a graphic design class to preparing for a studio photography class). We have a lot of physical spaces dedicated to these different disciplines within Fisher Hall, and sometimes, preparing an area for a class is more work than the time spent preparing the lesson. 

What do you want people to know about your department?

The Visual Arts Department is the best. I’m very proud of what my colleagues and I have built and the relationships with our students and alumni. It is a wonderful community to be a part of, and many of my closest friends are either my former teachers, former classmates, or former students. How cool is that?

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers community?

I love how our community serves each other and our larger Angwin community. The longer I’ve lived here, the more I’ve become aware of how much this community sacrifices for the benefit of others. 

Do you have a favorite place to eat in the Napa Valley?

I really enjoy supporting restaurants that are more locally-focused than tourism-focused. My family enjoys Villa Corona and Azteca for Mexican food, Pizzeria Tra Vigne and The Station for pizza, and Giugni’s and Sunshine Deli for sandwiches. However, I’ve found that perhaps the best food in the area comes from our friend’s kitchens! 

Where is your dream vacation?

I always enjoy travel but dislike planning vacations. I think my dream vacation would probably involve waking up in another country and exploring it (maybe by bicycle?), taking my time to let the place reveal itself to me without feeling the pressure of a jam-packed itinerary of known and researched destinations. 

What would students be surprised to find out about you?

Hmmm. Maybe they would be surprised that I have ridden my bike well over two thousand miles in the PUC forest in just the past few years or that I have designed t-shirts that have appeared on countless TV shows and movies and designed t-shirts that sold at Disneyland/Disneyworld and Universal Studios.

Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings you can find me…

In bed trying to catch up on sleep.