Jae Chae
Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
Education
M.F.A. in Industrial Design / Product Interaction, Purdue University
B.F.A. in Graphic Design / Branding, ArtCenter College of DesignBiography
Professor Chae is a designer and educator whose work bridges design thinking, producing, and impacting over time. At Bradley University, he champions an end-to-end approach that emphasizes human-centered design—using empathy-driven research to develop holistic, meaningful solutions.
He founded and leads the IN(d) Lab (Innovation by Design Lab), an initiative focused on delivering design-led innovations in future agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, education, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship—ushering in the next evolution of growth through integrative design.
His work has been featured in the Design for the Other 90% catalog published by the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, for his contributions to Katrina disaster-relief solutions. In 2022, he was named a Red Dot Design finalist for his flatpack lamp concept, and in 2025, was selected by students for Bradley University’s Faculty Innovation Spotlight. His solo exhibition and design process were also featured in an exclusive interview on WCBU’s Out and About with Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright.
Teaching
Professor Chae’s teaching interests center on design thinking for innovation, human-centered design for social impact and behavioral change, brand identity systems, and product ecosystem design. He focuses on helping students frame and reframe complex problems through empathy-driven research and to design meaningful solutions that span digital, physical, and service platforms. His courses emphasize strategic thinking, iterative prototyping, and the integration of aesthetics with function to create compelling, real-world impact.
He teaches a range of studio and theory-based courses, including:
A205 Typographic Design
A227 Graphic Design for All
A307 Design Thinking for Innovation
A305 Editorial Design
A332 Graphic Design History
A406 Senior Portfolio
Service
University:
Bradley University member of the Core Curriculum Committee 2024-present
Bradley University Art and Design Graduate Committee 2024-present
Bradley University Art and Design Graduate Faculty Member 2023-present
Professional:
International Conference on Art and Design Governing Committee Member 2023-present
Juror / International Conference on Art and Design Academic Journal Reviewer 2023-present