Adjunct

A flexible design studio

Ojus Doshi // Partner

Ojus Doshi is a graphic designer living in Brooklyn, NY. He recently received an MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

His first forays into art and design began as a 4th grader when he established the totally legitimate design firm, Ojus Drawing Co. The firm won several industry awards from his mom, and specialized in greeting cards and comic book character drawings. After a brief 15-year hiatus that involved a biology degree from Brown, an honors thesis in X-Ray Crystallography, and various research roles at a world-renowned biotech company, he returned to the firm in 2011.

He is interested in designing experiences and tools that weave digital, print, and spatial media. In addition to visual communication, he enjoys research and critical writing, as well as the art of presenting in front of all types of audiences.

Diane Lee // Partner

Diane Lee is a multi-disciplinary communication designer whose work spans print, video, writing, sound, code, and physical space. She holds an MFA in Graphic Design from Rhode Island School of Design, and a B.Sc. in Graphic Design from the University of Cincinnati (DAAP). She works independently with a diverse range of clients, collaborating with small businesses, non-profits, independent artists, and cultural institutions. Previously, she has taught at Rhode Island School of Design and Clark University, and has worked as a designer at Vanderbyl Design, and on the retail graphic design team at Apple.

Michael McDermott // Partner

Michael McDermott is a designer and educator living in the Washington, DC area. He is currently an Assistant Professor at George Mason University in the School of Art. Previously, he has worked at the General Design Co. in Washington, DC and has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design and the Maryland Institute College of Art. He received his MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a B.Arch from Virginia Tech.

Kelly Walters // Partner

Kelly Walters is a multimedia designer, researcher, and curator who is inspired by graphic design and the power it has to affect people on both a local and global scale. She is the founder of Bright Polka Dot (an independent design practice) focusing on print, digital, pattern and textile design. Kelly has worked as a designer for Alexander Isley, Inc. Designers, the RISD Museum, SFMOMA, Atavist, SOMArts Cultural Center and Blue State Digital. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a dual degree in Communication Design and Communication Sciences, and received her MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Mission [draft #4, 10.20.19]

Adjunct1 is a flexible, multidisciplinary studio of educators, designers, and researchers2 based on the internet.3 We collaborate on innovative visual experiences for print, screen, and space, uniquely informed by both our teaching and design practices.4 With a shared sensitivity towards design’s broader impacts, we welcome projects that facilitate learning and allow us to critically question culture.5

  1. Adjunct was founded by Ojus Doshi, Diane Lee, Michael McDermott, and Kelly Walters in 2018, after becoming friends in grad school and deciding video calls are fun.
  2. Or designers, researchers, and educators. Or researchers, educators, designers. Like it says, flexible.
  3. Physically that means NYC [Ojus], San José [Diane], Washington, DC [Michael]; and NYC/Stamford [Kelly].
  4. Our name, Adjunct, acknowledges the reflexive nature in which each activity complements the other. Also, it sounds cool.
  5. Adjuncts always alliterate. 😎