My
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is grounded in the idea that one must learn by doing, as learning occurs through hands-on experience. As an instructor, my goal is to facilitate students' creative growth in areas such as concept development, visual storytelling, and problem-solving. I believe that design is fundamentally an exercise in solving problems, whether it's for a new logo or an interactive media project. My courses are not taught in isolation; instead, I incorporate interdisciplinary knowledge, including communication theories, semiotics, and psychology, to help students understand audience behavior, cultural differences, and visual language.
My courses take a project and process-based approach rather than relying on rote memorization or simple "follow the direction" assignments. I encourage students to begin their design process with paper and pencil, emphasizing that their design is dependent on their own thought and creative process, not on specific software. This is an iterative process that includes continuous research, design, and evaluation. To support this, I hold frequent critiques in a friendly, collaborative space where we focus on what works, what doesn't, and how a piece can be made stronger. I assess student learning using a rubric system that evaluates their entire design process, including thumbnails, sketches, and class participation, as well as the final design solution. The culminating Process Book serves as a documentation of their process from research to the final designs.
Because design is inherently human-facing, I integrate the psychology of design into my teaching to ensure students place the end-user (audience) at the forefront of their work. Drawing on my research into how people cognitively interact with visual stimuli, my classes often discuss psychological concepts like confirmation biases and motivation. This interdisciplinary approach helps students gain a deeper understanding of how their visual messages are received and interpreted by an audience. This focus on person-centered design culminates in the capstone course, where students research and develop solutions for a passion-driven topic, creating comprehensive experiences for their audience that are grounded in a deep understanding of human needs.
Ultimately, my aim is to help students learn the language of design. This is done by exploring design history to understand how we read as a culture and perceive images. We also discuss the important role designers play in society and evaluate the ethical standards we uphold. By fostering a low-stress classroom environment where students are free to experiment and take creative risks, they are prepared to be adaptable and innovative in a constantly changing field.
Courses
Overview of the courses that I teach
This course is the foundation for all graphic design majors. It introduces students to the essential principles of visual communication, from layout and hierarchy to color theory and composition. Through a series of hands-on projects, students will learn to use industry-standard software and develop a basic understanding of how to solve design problems. By encouraging experimentation, the course prepares students to become adaptable and innovative designers ready for a dynamic field.
Building upon the fundamentals of Graphic Design 1, this course challenges students to explore advanced design theory and the psychology of visual communication. Through a series of projects, they will refine their creative problem-solving skills and develop a sophisticated understanding of how design influences perception, emotion, and culture. By encouraging experimentation, the course prepares students to become adaptable and innovative designers ready for a dynamic field.
Building upon the fundamentals of Graphic Design 1, this course challenges students to move beyond simply using fonts and to truly master typography as a visual language. Through a series of projects, they will refine their creative problem-solving skills and develop a sophisticated understanding of how type choice, hierarchy, and form influence perception and emotion. By encouraging experimentation, the course prepares students to be adaptable and innovative designers ready for a dynamic field.
Building upon the fundamentals of previous courses, this course challenges students to explore a new dimension: time. Through a series of projects, they will refine their creative problem-solving skills and develop a sophisticated understanding of how motion, pacing, and rhythm influence perception, emotion, and culture. By encouraging experimentation, the course prepares students to become adaptable and innovative designers ready for a dynamic field.
This course challenges students to explore the intersection of design and technology, focusing on human-centered interactions. Through a series of projects, they will refine their creative problem-solving skills and develop a sophisticated understanding of how to design for user experience, interfaces, and even game mechanics. By encouraging experimentation with emerging technologies, the course prepares students to become adaptable and innovative designers ready for a dynamic and constantly evolving field.
this course challenges students to move beyond isolated projects and explore the complex systems that make up brand identities. Students will delve into the psychology of visual communication to understand how design influences human perception, emotion, and behavior. By tackling comprehensive, real-world problems and creating professional-level deliverables, the course prepares students to become adaptable and innovative designers ready for a dynamic and constantly evolving field.
his course challenges students to move beyond the two-dimensional page and explore structural and sustainable design. Students will refine their creative problem-solving skills by designing packaging that is not only visually compelling but also thoughtful about its environmental impact.
The heart of this course is the concept of human-centered design. Because design is inherently human-facing, students are required to place the end-user at the forefront of their entire process. The final solution is not predetermined; it emerges from a deep understanding of the people they are designing for. The project is a chance to apply every principle and skill they've learned—from typography and hierarchy to motion and narrative—to create a meaningful solution that addresses a real-world need.