Graphic Design
Composition, hierarchy, and why a centered hero usually isn't the answer.
Teaching
What I teach.
A few design classes each term — a mix of foundations and higher-level work, undergrad through graduate.
Subjects
Typography
Pairings, scale, and the reason every rule has exceptions.
UX Design
Research, flows, and the difference between what a usability test catches and what it misses.
Visual Design Tools
The tools under the craft — not as software, but as a way of thinking.
Visual Design
Moving from competent to opinionated. Systems, grids, decisions with evidence.
Graduate UX
Portfolio-quality case studies and the strategy work behind them.
Portfolio
Resumes, brand, case studies, and the narrative arc that turns a portfolio into an interview.
Graduate Thesis
The capstone. Research depth, scope, and the rigor it takes to ship a year-long project.
Where former students work now
Figma
Amazon
Lyft
Meta
Pinterest
Cisco
A partial list. The students I'm most proud of aren't the ones who landed the logos — they're the ones who learned to decide for themselves what makes something good.
How I teach
Feedback that's actually specific
"Looks great" doesn't help anyone ship better work. I try to name what's working, what's not, and one thing to try next.
Show, then step back
The job isn't to design it for you. It's to show you how to decide, then get out of the way.
Grading is a tool, not the point
In beginner classes I lean on simple completion rubrics, because a letter grade isn't what makes a junior designer better. Directed feedback is.
Real work over academic exercises
Assignments that look more like working briefs and less like homework. You should leave with things you'd actually put in a portfolio.
In their words
You are excellent at balancing between offering guidance and allowing us the freedom to express ourselves authentically as designers.
Valuable and actionable feedback that challenged me to push my boundaries and strive for excellence.
You broke down complex concepts into practical, real-world applications — and gave me the confidence to use typography more intentionally in my work.
The very first professor who taught me UX/UI. Your classes helped me build a foundation and discover my passion for this field.