Statement of Teaching Graphic Design
I believe that we should never stop learning. In life, in art, in work.It is learning that propels the whole world forward. In life, in art, in work.It is in that spirit that I am an enthusiastic teacher and learner. I try to be a conduit for ideas and inspiration, and a sounding board for those who want to learn and grow in their craft and their careers.
UX designers are visual storytellers and information architects. They must be equipped with a strong fundamental understanding of the users and the design concepts: Balance, hierarchy, space, repetition, typography, iconography, contrast, color, pacing. UX designers need to be fully infected by the design bug — that little wriggling thing inside them that makes them see everything through designer eyes (how could this be better organized? how could this be a better user experience? how is this going to get noticed or inspire action?) so that visual problem solving becomes not a job but a way of life. They also need to learn how to navigate real-world concepts and then, very important, they need to have empathy for the users that they are serving.
As an UX design instructor, I encourage a curiosity and a predisposition toward experimenting that will serve designers their whole lives. I aim to equip design students with resilience and self-awareness so they know how to grow from an experience even when something falls short of its potential.
My teaching philosophy relies on a mix of:
Explanation of the concepts behind the fundamentals so they feel less abstract to those building a cache of knowledge.
Live demonstrations of design techniques, software processes and relatable approaches to common UX design situations.
Group discussion and critique of works in progress, so UX designers get comfortable with public accountability for their ideas. They have to know how to talk about the design choices they are making and provide good reasons for each step they took. They need to understand how to craft a pitch that will sell.
Respect for the ethical considerations of information design and a responsibility to communicate the importance of ethics in design decisions.
One-on-one feedback and detailed critique, raising issues to think through and offering suggestions for improvement for each project.
Real-world perspectives from working UX designers and media professionals in various UX industries. Design is not an entirely academic pursuit; UX designers make products and products are manufactured in the real world. Understanding how things get made is crucial to understanding your role as a UX designer.
When possible, I like to bring visiting professionals to class to answer questions and talk through concepts and processes.
Positive pragmatism, a healthy sense of humor, and a relentless fascination with the power of and techniques behind effective UX design have been useful vehicles for me to teach new skills and techniques to UX design students. In the classroom the students find their team, and they find the support they need to pursue their career.