Fall 2009

FA 4400 Design Studio 3
Monday and Wednesday
8:30 AM until 11:15 PM
Arts 194

FA 2415 Typography
Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 AM until 11:15 PM
Arts 194

FA 2415 Typography
Tuesday and Thursday
1:00 PM until 3:45 PM
Arts 194

Blackboard

Teaching Philosophy

Electronic media and its evolving nature presents many challenges for students. As an educator I have discovered one must be creative, motivated and highly organized with her/his approach to teaching electronic media. Using a well-planned syllabus, I define project expectations and grading criteria. My classes are structured to address the creative, technical, historical and theoretical approaches of image making in the electronic age. Critical discourse generated through readings and lecture is of the utmost importance and govern the genesis and evolution of student projects.
When teaching I cater to the individual needs of my students allowing each student to achieve their maximum potential. I have found that electronic media attracts a wide variety of students involved in the arts and sciences. This mixture creates a rewarding and challenging learning environment, which stimulates individual and collaborative artistic growth.

As an instructor, I encourage students to explore the communicative and expressive potential of electronic imagery. Using historical and current examples of art, film, motion and video I address aesthetic considerations and project strategy. I feel students must possess the historical and theoretical backgrounds of many mediums to develop richer image content.

Verbal and written skills are a high priority in my classroom and students are required to write detailed project proposals addressing content, audience and process. Students are expected to critically discuss their projects development, finished projects and other artwork. In our highly competitive society students/artists must possess the verbal and written skills needed when applying for graduate school, gallery exhibitions, grants and/or freelance projects.
Technology for some is intimidating. Having chosen the mediums of video and computer for my image making, I understand the challenges students face when learning a highly technical and evolving medium. I present and teach technology in a “hands on” and user-friendly manner, explaining and demonstrating the tools of each program. Students must possess the language and technical skills necessary to function in service bureaus and post-production houses. I believe a strong foundation in the use of computer palettes, brushes (tools) and production output allows the student more freedom to create artwork and generates the skills necessary to learn new technologies.