Fine Art Alumnus Seth Crider ’18 Blends Artistry with Data Science
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026
PCA&D’s Studio Culture Shaped Crider’s Work Ethic and Creative Approach
At PCA&D, Seth Crider learned how to see the world differently. Today, that same visual mindset powers his work at the intersection of data science, AI and communication, proving that creative training isn’t just relevant in a technical world, it’s essential.
In the Q&A below, learn about Crider’s PCA&D experience and how his B.F.A. has translated to measurable career success in data science and AI advising.
About Seth
- Degree earned from PCA&D: BFA in Fine Art
- Campus activities: Open Model Drawing, various clubs, creative writing
- Current role and employer: Senior Data Science and AI Advisor, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Adjunct Professor, PCA&D
- Currently living in: Catskill, New York
- Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
- Hobbies and interests: 3D printing, programming, interactive visualization, alternative printmaking, drawing, landscaping, cooking, writing, cartooning, blues/jazz guitar
Why did you choose PCA&D?
PCA&D felt like the right fit because it was a place that took visual thinking seriously. I was drawn to the idea of an institution built around art and design as legitimate, rigorous disciplines – not as electives or afterthoughts. The focused, studio-based environment appealed to me because I wanted to develop a strong foundational practice in making, not just theory. There was also something compelling about Lancaster itself; a city with a genuine arts community that felt grounded and real. PCA&D seemed like a place where I could develop my own voice.
Describe your path after graduating from PCA&D.
After graduating with my BFA, I pursued a Master of Science in Data Analytics and Visualization at Pratt Institute in New York, along with an Advanced Certificate in Spatial Analysis. That combination of fine art and data science turned out to be surprisingly rare and incredibly valuable.
From Pratt I went into a fellowship with UN Global Pulse, the United Nations Secretary-General’s initiative on big data, where I worked on tools that supported sustainable development goals, and large-scale data projects. From there I moved into a Data Analytics Specialist role with Military Sealift Command, building performance and safety metrics platforms.
In 2021 I joined Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison – a global law firm – where I’ve grown into my current role as a Senior AI and Data Science Advisor. Alongside that, I returned to PCA&D as an Adjunct Professor and curriculum creator, developing and teaching the college’s first Data Visualization Certificate Program/Minor.
Tell us about your role as a data science advisor and how your fine art education applies to the work you do.
My role sits at the intersection of law, technology and communication. I develop enterprise tools that integrate large language models, apply network theory to isolate critical communications, and produce advanced data visualizations used for evidentiary support, or for internal strategy. In any given case, I might be analyzing hundreds of thousands of documents and communications, building a custom machine learning model or creating a graphic that needs to communicate something complex to various stakeholders.
That last part is where my fine art education is not just relevant – it’s essential. A visualization is only as good as its ability to communicate clearly and with intention. PCA&D taught me how to think visually, how to make deliberate decisions about composition, color, hierarchy, and form. Those aren’t soft skills. A well-designed experience can give tremendous insight and genuinely affect outcomes. My BFA gave me the visual literacy to make that difference consistently.
How did PCA&D contribute to your career readiness?
PCA&D built the foundation of how I work. The studio culture taught me to iterate quickly, take critique seriously, and defend my creative decisions. The emphasis on craft and intentionality shaped how I approach every deliverable, whether it’s a data pipeline, a visualization, or curriculum I’m building for students. PCA&D also gave me the confidence to operate at the intersection of disciplines and walk into a room full of experts and contribute something that nobody else could.
What did you like about living and learning in Lancaster?
Lancaster is an underrated city. It has a strong and authentic arts community, an interesting mix of history and contemporary culture, and enough going on to feel alive without the overwhelming pace of some of the bigger cities. There’s also something about Lancaster’s character, its galleries, its independent businesses, its sense of place, that seeps into your work if you let it. I found it genuinely inspiring.
Why would you recommend PCA&D to a prospective student?
Because it will teach you how to think, not just how to make. PCA&D gives students something that’s increasingly rare and valuable: a rigorous visual education that develops real problem-solving ability. In a world being reshaped by AI, data, and rapid technological change, the people who can combine technical skill with genuine visual and creative intelligence are the ones who will have the most impact. That’s exactly the combination PCA&D builds. I teach here because I believe in it. If you want a focused, serious, human-scale education that prepares you to work at the edge of what’s possible – PCA&D is the place.