January 03, 2018
La Roche Design Instructor Recognized by New York Times and New York Public Library
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 3, 2018 – Stacy Innerst, an adjunct professor at La Roche University, is the winner of a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award.
Presented by the New York Times and New York Public Library, the Best Illustrated Book Awards recognize the best in children’s literature and bring great books to young readers. Mr. Innerst received the award for his illustrations in “Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality,” written by Jonah Winter. A panel of three judges, who base their decision purely on artistic merit, selected the winners.
“I’d always been aware of the New York Times list and always wanted to be on it, but it didn’t really hit me until I was sitting at the awards luncheon at the New York Public Library. I was surrounded by artists whose work I think is stunning and by publishers, editors and art directors who are some of the best in the business,” Mr. Innerst said. “The highlight was having a long, engaging conversation with Maria Russo, the children’s book editor of the New York Times Book Review, who writes beautiful, insightful reviews. Afterward I was standing in front of the New York Public Library, talking to one of the other artists being honored, and we were both struck that this might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Mr. Innerst studied art and history at the University of New Mexico. His work has appeared in print, web and broadcast media in the U.S. and abroad, including the Boston Globe, New York Times, Washington Times, Harper Collins, Abrams Books, Boyds Mills Press, Berkeley Press and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Publishers.
Mr. Innerst’s clients have included the NFL, Major League Baseball, Landesberg Design, Heinz Foundation, Pohly & Partners and the UK-based ARC Music. His projects have ranged from designing a series of mythological creatures for a humane Ringling Brothers Circus, to painting custom football helmets for Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward and Jeff Reed of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Throughout his career, Mr. Innerst has received numerous awards, including an Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a Gold Award from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting and the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration.
Born in Los Angeles, Mr. Innerst joined the La Roche design faculty as an adjunct professor in 2013.
“Stacy Innerst brings an extremely high level of award-winning excellence and professionalism to the La Roche Graphic Design Department,” Lisa Kamphaus, chair of the Design Division, said. “With the numerous accolades that Stacy has been awarded, he has remained accessible and eager to teach students. Students value his opinion, his good nature and his critique. His real-world experience, the scope and variety of his work, his demonstrations of design solutions and technique in class have proved to be invaluable to students. Stacy has always valued his time as an instructor as much as his time in his professional work.”
Mr. Innerst teaches courses in illustration, editorial illustration and computer graphics.
“I genuinely get excited when I see students push themselves to do really good work. I value good art and design so much that when I see students creating work that they’re proud of, it makes me happy,” he said. “I also feel that my role is to make sure they leave their comfort zone a little bit – that’s where the real discovery takes place.”
A full overview Mr. Innerst’s work and career is available at stacyinnerst.com. For more information about the La Roche Design Division, visit designatlaroche.com.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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