Alan Caballero LaZare is a Colombian American designer, artist, and educator. His work is centered on community engagement and social justice issues.
His essay, The Road to Flores de María will be published by AIGA in the next installment of Shifted. This community led, fundraising project continues to help school children in the pueblo of Flores de María in the northern part of Colombia. Flores is near the small town of Pivijay where Alan’s family has lived for generations.
In response to the increased number of international border walls throughout the world, his performance, Tow at White Box in New York City illustrated our propensity as human beings to continue to create division amongst ourselves. By weaponizing religion, nationalism, and xenophobia; many countries are physically trying to separate themselves from their neighbors, instead of finding mutually beneficial and humane ways to coexist alongside one another.
In 2021, Alan was hired by George Mason University to reimagine the Design History course to reflect the needs and demands of a new generation of students. Instead of relying on the generic, default, canon, students learn about design from a diverse array of sources and perspectives. The revised course focuses on introducing BIPOC voices while decentering the traditional, western, Eurocentric, modernist, narrative. Additionally, students investigate labor and economy in relation to design.
Alan began his career at the renowned architecture and design firm Michael Graves. He was the lead designer and art director in creating the packaging for the revolutionary Michael Graves / Drive Medical partnership of assisted living products. He also played an integral role in the packaging and design for the Michael Graves product line for Target.
Alan is currently an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at George Mason University in Northern Virginia where he teaches Design History and Visual Communication Theory.
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