John DeWolf

Throughout his 30-year career, transdisciplinary designer John deWolf has worked in print, exhibition, signage, wayfinding, interior environments, and design education. His many skills include designing accessible, inclusive communication systems, particularly for diverse audiences. As a senior interactive designer for Two Twelve Associates of New York, he worked with and managed large-scale signage teams for Walt Disney Imagineering, Trinity College, the Chicago Park District, Queens West State Park, Seattle’s Sound Transit, Indiana Purdue University, and Yale University. As Head of Design for the Corcoran Gallery of Art, John was the lead exhibition designer for three major photography exhibitions: Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990—2005, and Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power. Throughout his career, John designed temporary and permanent exhibitions and developed interpretative plans for clients from coast to coast to coast. Recently, John was a senior exhibit designer for Vancouver’s AldrichPears Associates.
John was the director of experiential graphic design at Fathom Studio (formerly Form:Media). Together with an interdisciplinary team, he developed brands, wayfinding programs, and interpretive environments for such clients as Batoche National Historic Site, the Town of Lunenburg, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station, the University of Manitoba, and Nova Scotia Provincial Parks.
In 2021, Mr. deWolf founded Narrative Environments Studio, a boutique studio located in Nova Scotia. He focuses on preserving culture and heritage, as well as promoting public initiatives that benefit the community.
John was a regular part-time faculty at NSCAD University, teaching in the Foundation and Design divisions. He was awarded the NSCAD Faculty Recognition Award for outstanding teaching performance and dedication to enhancing student life. He was also an adjunct faculty member at the Corcoran College of Art + Design, and the University of Manitoba’s School of Art and Faculty of Architecture. John deWolf’s graphic and environmental graphic design work has been published in various design publications and has received numerous awards.
In 1992, John deWolf received a Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Communication Design from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also holds a Master of Interior Design degree from the University of Manitoba.
Specialties: Branding and identity, exhibition design, environmental graphic design, and teaching.
Volunteer Activities: Architects Without Borders, Canada Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC): Education Chair, Atlantic Chapter
NSCAD University Alumni Association: Treasurer, Alumni Committee Chair
View more of John’s work at Narrative Environments Studio and his past work here.
Connect with John on LinkedIn and Instagram.