About the Artist

Joseph Achille Fioramonti is a professional graphic designer and professor at The University of Baltimore. He completed a BFA at Alfred University in 2002, received his teaching license from New York State in 2005, and an MFA in graphic design from The Savannah College of Art and Design in 2009. He taught art in NYS for two years before moving on to teach college at The Art Institute of Charleston for two years and finally moving on to teach graphic design at The University of Baltimore.

Leading up to his current position he has worked in the field as a graphic designer and founder of PostMortal Design. Some of his noteworthy clients include: JCB, The Department of Homeland Security, InsideView, and Georgia Tech.

Mr. Elwood

At the end of his research at The Savannah College of Art and Design, Joseph was completing his thesis work on how an understanding of the principles of Information Theory could be applied the practice of graphic design to create more effective visual communication. Information Theory was established in Claude Elwood Shannon’s work at MIT in 1948 and has been called the most important thesis ever written. Shannon’s work in the IT field has forever changed humanity’s understanding of the physical world and has given us digital technology as we know it today.

As Joseph was finishing his thesis he adopted a small West Highland terrier, the runt of the litter. It only seemed appropriate to name this small dog after the focus of his last two years of study so the small, overweight K9 with a goopy eye was named Mr. Elwood.

As Joseph developed his career as a designer and took on a second career as a college professor at The Art Institute of Charleston, he was tasked with teaching the History of Graphic Design course and rediscovered his love for the history and evolution of visual communication design and technologies. Inspired by the course material, he took up copper plate engraving and priming, both of which he continues to do. In his first semester teaching at The University of Baltimore, he was tasked again with teaching the History of Graphic Design. On this occasion he began exploring the Plakatstil style from the early 20th century and would create a simple poster of his best friend, Mr. Elwood. The image would lead to three more pet posters in the same style for fiends and family, and the collection continues to grow.

The nostalgic designs are a simple representation of the pets that bring so much joy to all of our lives. We hope that the images brighten homes and offices everywhere, reminding us of the genuine and uncomplicated love that animals have for their humans.