Academic Director — Graphic Design and Advertising 

Catherine Stickel brings over 30 years of design experience to her role as Director of Graphic Design and Advertising with The Art Institute of California- Orange County. Catherine brings a true creative talent and a love of teaching to her position at The Art Institute.

In addition to being an accomplished designer, Catherine’s last position as Director of Education at Platt College of Los Angeles supplements her professional accomplishments with a background in education. Prior to becoming dean of Platt College, Catherine worked there as a design instructor.

Catherine has held creative roles with Walt Disney Imagineering, toy manufacturing giant Applause, Inc. and several other design and advertising agencies. She has supervised design efforts for California Adventure's Paradise Pier, Universal Studios Florida and the County of Los Angeles, among others. In addition, she has had her own environmental graphics design business, For the Design of It, for over 15 years.

Catherine holds a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Art from Woodbury University in Burbank, CA.