Heather Corcoran

Heather Corcoran is a graphic designer and a writer whose work explores place and belonging. Words—as they are written and visualized—form the underlying language for editions of handmade books, as well as posters and maps. Corcoran’s essays examine isolation and connection through observation of the visual landscape. She integrates personal and collective history with accumulations of hand- and machine-rendered text, numerical data, color, and image. Recent projects include a trio of books of natural forms (rain, tree stumps, rivers) and a book for people who suffer from chronic head pain.

Corcoran’s work has been distributed at art book fairs in Seattle and Chicago. She has been part of exhibitions at Emily Carr University, Northeastern University, and University of Michigan, among others. She has given talks for the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Eyeo, LearnX, and the University College Design Association. Her work, including projects for clients such as Princeton Architectural Press and the Saint Louis Zoo, has been recognized by the International Institute for Information Design, Communication Arts, Print magazine, and AIGA St. Louis. As an information designer, she has been part of grant-funded projects for National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Her visual essay “First Deployment” was published in the AIGA’s journal Dialogue in 2024.  

Corcoran teaches courses at WashU about developing a personal design process, how typographic practice can bring voice to literature, and writing creative non-fiction as both prompt and outcome.  

Corcoran served as director of the College of Art 2014-2019 and Interim Dean of University College 2019-2021. She was chair of the Faculty Senate Council 2010–2012, and has served twice as a faculty fellow in the Office of the Provost. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wesleyan University and a Master of Fine Arts in graphic design from Yale University.