Teaching Philosophy

Initially as a Graphic Designer for top-ranking corporations such as Nike Inc. and Hollywood Video Corporation, and later as a Creative Director at a local Corpus Christi advertising agency, I came to appreciate the challenges young designers face in the field. In every phase of my career, I voluntarily adopted a mentoring role for recent graduates who were struggling to adapt to the challenges and expectations of their professional environment. Through each advisory commitment, I helped guide the young designer toward advancement opportunities by connecting his or her studies to pertinent production techniques and creative processes.

As an educator, it will be my responsibility to accelerate students’ influence by emphasizing creative problem solving in their work so they can actively contribute to social and community solutions. By investigating design’s role in social awareness as part of their studies, I hope to impart a more in-depth understanding of the impact of responsible graphic design to my students.

My primary teaching goal is excellence in career preparation for my students. Providing students with industry awareness and expectations, beyond the classroom, is vital for their career development and professional success. Young designers need a real concept of today’s industry and what is required of them. With the accessibility of technology and the streamlining of many creative specialties and disciplines, there are far more applicants than vacancies for design positions. The burden of obtaining gainful employment in the industry often weighs heaviest on new graduates. In order for recent graduates to secure one of these elusive positions, they must be technically proficient to be competitive, and both innovative and creative to be exceptional. Armed with their Macs and Creative Suite, a prevailing group of software-savvy applicants call themselves designers. To eclipse them, students need equivalent industry-standard software skills and an understanding of the discipline in its purest form. A true graphic designer is a creative thinker who utilizes multiple outlets to visually communicate an idea. I want to equip my students with the ability to take an idea from concept to completion. This competence is a highly sought-after trait in top job candidates. With a good understanding of concept generation and creative problem solving, my students will be better appointed to face industry challenges with confidence.

I am passionate about the success of my students, and I profoundly value their potential influence as the graphic designers of tomorrow. Through exploration and execution, they will help shape what constitutes effective and impactful design in the decades to come. Nurturing the next generation of designers is a complex undertaking. Conveying foundational principles of type and form to students is imperative while new digital influences and modern-day applications cannot be ignored. For my part, I will craft a curriculum rooted in design fundamentals with contemporary additions like brand development, advertising and multimedia delivery. Through a collaborative learning environment, I will work with students to identify their interests and strengths. By fostering their proficiencies, I aspire to shape effective and influential graphic designers who contribute to the prosperity of the field.

Research Interests

In more than 15 years as a professional graphic designer, I have cultivated a well-rounded set of skills and experiences. From large Northwest corporations like Nike Inc. to small South Texas advertising agencies, I have been fortunate to pursue the diverse opportunities and experiences a comprehensive design background can offer. In each position held, I gained constructive insight into the challenges and expectations of real-world projects and work environments. As a Professor of Graphic Design, I will aspire to impart these valuable lessons learned as part of a curriculum rooted in creative problem solving, methodologies and visual communication. My research interests originate from my motivation to elevate professionalism in my students, making them valuable assets to their employers or clients, and to ensure their personal success and foster their vital capability to support themselves.

Emerging Technologies

Since most design careers are interlinked with emerging technologies, it is essential that students take full advantage of the tools available in today’s industry to perpetuate a competitive advantage in the job market. As a Professor of Graphic Design, it will be my job to stay current with the evolving digital media and trends that continually transform the industry. Digital applications like websites, animations and social platforms are recent examples of dynamic interfaces that require knowledge of modern tastes and current expertise. Students should feel confident to utilize digital solutions and craft engaging content through these up-to-date outlets. These applications are now considered brand necessities, not extravagancies. To better prepare my students, I will strive to immerse myself in new technologies through continued education and research. Recognizing the importance of keeping current, my Media Design MFA program at Full Sail University offers alumni the opportunity to audit completed courses as a critical part of their continued education and knowledge advancement. In addition to this opportunity, I intend to take advantage of online training courses and regional software workshops to ensure that my knowledge of industry trends and skills is cutting-edge. I want my students to benefit from a curriculum rich in creativity, theory, concept and production techniques applicable to the design careers of today and tomorrow.

Measuring Design Effectiveness

“As businesses increasingly recognize the power of design to provide significant benefits, executives increasingly are asking for metrics to evaluate the performance of design.”

— Thomas Lockwood, design industry analyst and President of the Design Management Institute

With the amount of newcomer designers entering the industry far outweighing the available positions, TAMU-CC graduates need critical thinking capabilities to broaden their array of employment opportunities. Rarely do designers understand the business needs of their client, impairing their potential to generate effective creative solutions. The ability to apply higher-level thinking, focused on outcomes and effect, is a sought-after trait by today’s employers. I will assist students in understanding design accountability by imparting evolving concepts regarding social implications, metrics and marketing strategies. With a more comprehensive understanding about how their work is perceived and what effect it has, students will adopt a more holistic approach to the design process. I will lead the exploration of investigative techniques and applications of measuring design effectiveness through a variety of assignments and discussions based on my research.

Professional Practices

In my professional experience, I was often charged with selecting and mentoring new hires. In this capacity, I came to understand firsthand the challenges young designers face in the field. I will strive to maintain a current understanding of industry demands and expectations. I will guide upcoming graduates toward advancement by connecting their studies to pertinent production techniques and creative processes, and by encouraging them to present themselves and their capabilities at the highest level of professionalism. In order to cultivate tomorrow’s fulfilled and accomplished professionals, I will dedicate myself to identifying opportunities for up-and-coming graphic designers and encouraging their influence on the discipline.

References:
Lockwood, T. (2009, October 5). Ten Ways to Measure Design’s Success. Retrieved January 10, 2016, from http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/oct2009/id2009105_225354.htm

Knapp, P.M. (2008, January 17). Measuring Design — HOW Design. Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.howdesign.com/design-business/measuringdesign/