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teaching philosophy

I am a graphic designer and facilitator seeking to bring the best out of a student.

The classroom is a forum where I seek to encourage students to realize and if they like, surpass their potential.

I believe that to be educated is to be empowered and that education is a continual process. Design education needs to be centered on developing a studentÍs formal, theoretical and technical talent to be applied in an applicable manner.

The intrinsic qualities of my educational ideal are the understanding of design as an intellectual function. Design needs to not only enhance understanding but also be accessible, meaningful and memorable to all who view it. Pushing a student to think independently allows for an increased ability to communicate thus creating a positive result both on and with their product.

My approach to both educational and professional practice of design is for students to understand the greater scope of the medium. I feel that design does not exist in a vacuum. To this end, I encourage research into other disciplines to support the design process. Students must also reflect on their personal story and to the environment around them as a source from which to find inspiration for their work.

The studio is a place to encourage experimentation and exploration in form and content. This setting is a place of embryonic critical dialogue between the facilitator and student to encourage an analytical look at work based on concrete and theoretical principles. All research and related work should be an extension of the creative process. This methood should be used to spark new concepts and open new avenues for creativity. So often our most important discoveries are found in what we consider a failure. On the contrary thorough process and personal determination are highly important in creative problem solving.

Verbal and written expression plays an ever-increasing role in a design program to assist the student in communicating concepts and as an aid in evaluation. Analysis and discussion are critical at every stage, and especially important upon closure when, upon distribution, the application begins to function within society.

Ultimately, my goal is to coach design students to be responsible communicators and positively contribute to their community. I emphasize this in all of my teaching. It is fundamental for students to enter into the profession with a concrete understanding of the implications, both positive and negative, of visual communication.