Teaching

At the core of my teaching philosophy is a belief that creativity is not a gift reserved for a few, but a discipline that can be nurtured, developed, and expanded through meaningful practice, thoughtful critique, and inclusive mentorship. As a professor of communication design, I strive to create a classroom where students feel empowered to take risks, encouraged to bring their whole selves into their work, and prepared to grow into professionals who can think critically, act ethically, and design intentionally.

I center iterative, project-based learning grounded in reflection and feedback. Students in my courses engage in a cycle of prototyping, critique, and revision. This helps them see feedback not as failure, but as an essential part of the creative process. I often remind students that the first idea is rarely the best one. Instead, we embrace revision as a path to clarity, craft, and originality.

I believe students learn best by doing, doing again, and redoing with purpose. My courses balance self-directed exploration with real-world constraints through a mix of client-based projects, concept sprints, and strategic branding challenges. I integrate motion, AI tools, typography, and interactive media as part of a toolkit for solving creative problems. Assignments emphasize clarity of purpose and strategic alignment as much as aesthetic appeal.

Inspired by labor-based grading and ungrading strategies, I design feedback systems that reward effort, improvement, and risk-taking. My assessment style is transparent, iterative, and rooted in student growth. In CDE 3580: Design of Visual Images, I replaced point-based rubrics with reflection prompts, critique logs, and peer-to-peer evaluations. The result was not only stronger work, but a more equitable and collaborative environment where students learned from each other.

My own background in advertising and design agencies, along with my continuing relationships with creative professionals, deeply informs my pedagogy. I regularly bring alumni and industry voices into the classroom through critique, mentorship, and panels. Through Live Oak Communications, AIGA partnerships, and AEJMC student showcases, I connect students to communities that can help them grow long after graduation.

I encourage students to see themselves not just as designers, but as communicators with the power to shape culture. In both class projects and student research, we explore how design can be used to advance equity, challenge norms, and tell stories that matter. From accessible packaging to campaigns for local businesses, students learn that good design serves real people.

Ultimately, my goal is to teach students how to learn, not just what to know. I want them to leave my classroom with a deep curiosity, a strong creative foundation, and the confidence to take their place in an evolving design world.