The Graphic Design faculty and entire Art & Art History community are heartbroken at the sudden passing of Professor Edvin Yegir on 11 August 2021. Professor Yegir taught in the Graphic Design program in the Department of Art & Art History for over 20 years and was an instrumental and influential figure in the discipline. Professor Yegir obtained his MFA from Yale University and created an incredible body of work through his studio, Typotopia, that was recognized internationally. Professor Yegir was a brilliant designer, a masterful typographer, a gifted educator, and a compassionate activist. He had an impeccable eye and uncompromising standards. To know him was to know his warmth, integrity, honesty, intelligence, kindness, encouragement and comforting smile. He was quick to laugh, constantly reassuring, affirming and trusting. He had a perceptive eye that saw potential where others missed it and he infused whatever room he was in with a quiet energy. Professor Yegir believed in design as a tool for positive change and growth, and used it to forge design committed to promoting social justice. He was dedicated to ideals of peace and equality, and pursued simplicity in all things. His classrooms were collaborations; communities in which students from across the years have commented on how overwhelmingly positive the environment he created was; how he critiqued with the kindest grace. He took great joy in teaching and wrote exceptional briefs that were challenging while remaining interpretive; connecting student's lives and experiences to the larger world; synthesizing ideals with reality, imbuing students with the confidence, skills and belief that they could indeed be a voice for positive change. He frequently concluded his briefs with inspiration “We are spending significant & valuable moments of our lives making design. Let’s make them as brilliant as we can. Enjoy & be passionate about what you think & make.” Students and alumni sent in touching tributes to Professor Yegir, one alumni comment in particular said: "Edvin gave me a lovely new perspective — not only in which to view art & design, but life itself. That's a broad statement, I know. But it's the greatest gift anyone could ever give. And he gave it graciously. His patience was saintly, and his simplicity and clarity were liberating." Professor Yegir's presence and contribution to the field of design and to its pedagogy will be deeply missed.
A memorial scholarship has been established in Professor Yegir's memory. Donations to permanently endow this scholarship are most welcome and can be submitted at this link: https://www.foundation.uconn.edu/fund/professor-edvin-yegir-memorial-fund/
For more information, contact: Quoron Walker at quoron.walker@uconn.edu