Bill Newkirk is Professor of Graphic Design. He studied architecture and graphic design at RISD, receiving a BFA in Graphic Design in 1968. Since 1975 he has taught in the Foundation Studies Division and the Graphic Design Department at RISD. He served as Dean of Foundation Studies from 1989 to 1996 and is currently Department Head of Graphic Design.

From 1968 to 1988 Bill was a designer with Malcolm Grear Designers in Providence, Rhode Island. Projects there included book design, corporate image, architectural signing and exhibit design. One area of the studio concentration was museum catalogues including designs for the Guggenheim Museum, Fogg Art Museum, and Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design. Since 1988 Bill has worked independently on selected projects including logo design and architectural signs, but with more focus on catalogues for individual artists.