(1922-1987)
Donald Nichols was a Western New York artist, advertising designer, and educator. He studied advertising design at the Albright Art School and received a degree from the University at Buffalo. Nichols was appointed to teach at the Albright Art School in 1950, when he founded the school’s graphic design program. He brought the program to the University at Buffalo, where he worked as a professor and chaired the department until his death.
Nichols also exhibited regionally, showing at the Annual Western New York Exhibition at the Albright Art Gallery in 1953, 1954, and 1959, as well at the Albright Art School’s faculty exhibition in 1955. In honor of his contributions, the Buffalo chapter of the American Advertising Federation hosts an annual Don Nichols Scholarship Competition to support an undergraduate communication student.