I TEACH TO INSPIRE. I love teaching design.  To me, this is more than a career.  Teaching design means teaching creative and unique problem-solving solutions.  I instruct in a way that allows my students to explore real-world problems and challenges and teach them to grow and develop the skills to solve those problems: PROJECT BASED THRIVER.

 

VISUAL COMMUNICATOR

Possessing the ability to communicate visually is imperative to all aspects of design.  Having the opportunity of working in the design field as well as teaching in the design field has impressed upon me the importance of introducing real-world skills and ideas into the classroom.  My students all have to opportunity to explore theoretical and highly conceptual work in a safe, academic realm that fosters inspiration, creativity, and inventiveness.

 

CREATIVE THINKER

I strive to teach in a manner that is engaging, thought-provoking, motivating, and creative, as well as maximizing my students learning potential.  I venture out to kindle the fire in the minds of my students while aiming to facilitate the development of my students thinking in terms of visual communication and design, conceptual development, creativity, and visual storytelling.  Being a creative thinker is a hard-earned skill that improves the more you practice.

 

NATURAL LEADER

As an instructor, my goal is to educate leaders, not followers.  It is my ambition for my students to become leaders in the field of design and communication.  My expertise in graphic design is notable but I understand, and want my students to understand, that being an expert in this field is something that we must continue to work toward.  It is important to continue to evolve as the current trends and tools as well as modes and mediums evolve.   Therefore, my learning as a teacher as well as a student, alongside with my professional development will never be finished.

 

COLLABORATOR

I believe my design work and ideas will inspire my students, and that in turn, their design work and ideas will inspire me, which creates a collaborative circle.  The feedback and information, as well as the connections that are created in a collaborative studio atmosphere, can be both powerful and meaningful. 

 

DRIVEN WORKER

I strive to help my students develop strong critical thinking skills as well as writing and speaking skills in addition to design.  I’m not only preparing them for their careers in design, but I am getting them ready for the workforce, working with clients, and preparation for life.  I expect diligence, attention to detail, and excellence from my students.  I want to instill in them a passion and enthusiasm for the discipline as a whole.  By presenting the process of giving presentations and teaching ways to convey their work to an audience of designers and non-designers, I hope to instill more confidence in their design process as well as their work.  Being able to tell the story of the design work is a beneficial skill for the student designer.

 

IDEA GENERATOR

It is important that my students exhibit desire, hunger, and drive to be lifelong creators.  My job is to identify, light, and awaken that desire by my own passion for design.  Exposing my students to different methods, techniques, design examples, and historical context is an important part of this process.  Obtaining these skills will drive them to produce creative ideas that are innovative and powerful.

 

PROBLEM SOLVER

Teaching my students how to identify and solve a problem in any given design equation will help them succeed, not only as a student, but as a lifelong designer.  In order to successfully teach them to solve a problem, I take them through the process of solving the visual problem rather than the solution itself.  This instills critical thinking skills that prepare them to get to the core of visual and conceptual problem-solving.

 

DESIGNER

As a Master in Instructional Design and Technology, I plan to use current and up to date tools in innovative ways in our classroom studio.   In addition to common classroom tools such as Design Blog assignments and discussion groups, I feel that it is important for my students to explore and develop their personal design process and use this as a means to a creative world.  The use of technology is a must-have tool for graphic design but I will also stress and practice the importance of mastery in core theoretical concepts, fundamental hand skills, and an understanding of this craft as a whole. 

 

DISCUSSION STARTER

I hope to facilitate and foster an open studio atmosphere in the classroom to help students share with and learn from each other—creating the conditions for collaborative creative work. In my studio, I’ve always set the tone of an open and positive relationship with all of my students, encouraging them to discuss problems with me early on, especially if it will affect their goals.

 

REAL WORLD INNOVATOR

I believe in presenting a detailed syllabus at the beginning of each semester that outlines our class expectations and goals as well as providing a clear rubric for each of the project expectations before beginning any project.  I believe the use of engaging project briefs, open discussions, rigorous critiques and feedback, reflective writing, and critical assessments will help, engage and challenge my students to frame their own opinions about their work, the work of their peers, and the work of other professionals through a collaborative atmosphere.  Teaching students how to discuss all means of design work is extremely important for this technique and will help them grow.