In our earlier posts celebrating the one million downloads milestone reached by the Chapman University Digital Commons earlier this year, we’ve spoken with professors and staff whose work in the Digital Commons typically takes the form of traditional scholarly research articles. Today, we’re speaking with Professor Eric Chimenti of the Art Department, who, at 336 items, is the creator of the most objects in the Digital Commons; but because Professor Chimenti is a graphic designer and artist, his contributions to the Digital Commons are all graphics. Take a peek below for some examples of his graphic design work, and head here to see all of his work in the Digital Commons.

An infographic in magenta, teal, and black depicting different modes of transportation, including a plane, buses, and bicycles

An infographic from Living Cities Book, made in Art 393 Sustainable Design Practices, a travel course to London where student participants have the opportunity to work on design projects related to Sustainable Design Practices

Silhouettes of a turkey and an unusual musical instrument in blue on a black background. Over the blue silhouettes is text in blue and pink that reads "American Visions American Voices"

Annual Chapman University and Pacific Symphony collaboration logo for a series of spring 2016 events

Three digital mock-ups of a cover for the book "I Read It at the Movies" by Mark Axelrod. The cover on the left has pink and white stripes that imitate a movie theater popcorn bucket. The cover in the center is in different shades of pink, with the title in a font that resembles neon signs. The cover on the right is in blue and green, with an image of a film reel.

Three cover options for a book by Chapman University professor Mark Axelrod

How did your first piece make its way onto the Digital Commons? Did you submit it to our Coordinator of Scholarly Communications, Kristin Laughtin-Dunker, or did she reach out to you? For subsequent articles or objects of yours that were added to the DC, were they added in the same way?

I learned about the Digital Commons through a university announcement. I submitted my work to Kristin, as was recommended. Kristin has always added my work.

Do you have any thoughts you’d like to share about Open Access and academia?

I think it is fascinating to see my “readership” reports and seeing which pieces are looked at and where all over the world they are viewed. The fact that my work is being seen and used by folks I will never meet or know is amazing.

How do you use the Leatherby Libraries and/or Digital Commons in your research?

While I’m ashamed to say no, I haven’t yet used it for my own creative/scholarly research, it still benefits me with worldwide exposure, and that is amazing.

Has anyone outside the Chapman community reached out to you about any of your work on the Digital Commons, to use it as a source, or in another capacity?

I don’t remember for sure. My work is posted to other places as well.

Is there anything noteworthy you’d like to share about any of your collaborators? For instance, were they your students?

I do have student and alumni collaborators on several of my creative projects.