Teaching
~/Teaching
Teaching

Teaching

An interdisciplinary designer and educator with over a decade of experience teaching design, technology, and creative strategy at the university level and through professional workshops.

With an MFA in Graphic Design from MICA and a Design Teaching Certificate, I bring real-world industry experience from founding Workhorse design studio and working with organizations ranging from advocacy groups to cultural institutions.

Teaching Philosophy

I believe in learning through practice and collaboration. My teaching approach combines strategic thinking with hands-on application, connecting theory, history, and contemporary practice to help students develop their own design voice.

Topics

Brand Strategy

Strategic positioning, audience research, brand architecture, and storytelling frameworks for building meaningful brands.

Visual Systems

Typography, color theory, grid systems, and creating cohesive visual identities that work across platforms.

Web Design & Development

HTML, CSS, JavaScript, responsive design, frameworks like Bootstrap, and modern web development workflows.

UX/UI Design

User research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and interface design for web and mobile applications.

Interactive Media

Animation, transitions, microinteractions, and creating engaging experiences with JavaScript frameworks and APIs.

Design for Meaning

An interdisciplinary approach combining design and storytelling principles to create meaningful connections between brand identity, visual systems, and business objectives.

Teaching Background

Education

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), 2010 – 2012

Certificate in Public Health Communication

The University of Texas Health Science Center, 2006 – 2006

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Biology

The University of Texas at Austin, 2000 – 2005

Design Teaching Certificate

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), 2011

Coursework and practice focused on pedagogy, theory, design thinking methods, and research

Teaching Experience

Professor, Adjunct

George Mason University, January 2016 – May 2016

Designed and taught courses on Web Design, Usability, and UX/UI principles Created interdisciplinary curricula connecting theory, history, and contemporary digital practices Led workshops on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, version control, iterative design, and more

Graduate Assistant

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), August 2010 – December 2011

Conducted lectures and prepared lessons as the Design for Advertising and Electronic Media and Culture graduate assistant Acquired a Design Teaching certificate through coursework and practice focused on pedagogy, theory, design thinking methods, and research

Course Syllabi

Detailed course outlines and curricula developed for universities, workshops, and training programs. Each syllabus can be customized for your organization's needs.

15 Weeks
Intro Level
GMU Spring 2016

Introduction to Web Design

AVT 217

An introduction to web design standards as a successful tool in design communication. Students gain hands-on experience with design issues specific to web presentations, learn page layout and effective navigation, and explore the complete design process.

Key Topics:

HTML & CSS
Responsive Design
Bootstrap Framework
Web Typography
Grid Systems
3
Major Projects
10
Weekly Exercises
15 Weeks
Advanced Level
GMU

Interactive Design & Development

AVT 415

Advanced course in interactive design and development, focusing on user experience, interface design, and interactive media. Students create sophisticated web applications and interactive experiences using modern frameworks and design methodologies.

Key Topics:

UX/UI Design
JavaScript
Interactive Media
Prototyping
User Testing

Formats

Workshops

Half-day to multi-day intensive sessions focused on specific skills or projects. Ideal for teams or small groups looking to level up their design capabilities.

Guest Lectures

Speaking engagements for design programs, conferences, and creative organizations on topics ranging from brand strategy to digital craft.

Get in Touch

Interested in a workshop or speaking opportunity? Let's discuss how we can work together.