2004 – 2005 

2000 – 2005

2000 – 2001

1999 – 2000

1997 – 1999

Visiting Assistant Professor
College of Visual and Performing Arts
School of Art - Time Arts
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Assistant Professor
Digital Media Production, Interactive Media Design, Visual Effects & Motion Graphics, and Visual Communication
Illinois Institute of Art, Schaumburg, IL

Part-time Faculty
Visual Communication
Center for Professional Development, Schaumburg, IL
                                   
Visiting Assistant Professor
College of Visual and Performing Arts
School of Art - Time Arts
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Part-time Faculty
Visual Communication
Illinois Institute of Art, Schaumburg, IL

Teaching Philosophy

Integration. I strive to create an environment that allows cross-discipline education - going beyond the boundaries of an art school to address physics, psychology, literature and theatre. Understanding of art and its societies can only be achieved through an open dialogue between these disciplines. Art is an interface to these residencies of knowledge.

Curriculum. A curriculum that involves emerging technologies is one of evolving languages. Within these new languages it is important to retain one's own voice. As a teacher of these new technologies, my function is not solely to teach "how to," but also to elicit questions of "what if." Encouraging an experimental approach to learning facilitates a student's creativity and makes them better problem-solvers. This approach also fosters a process of self-sufficient learning, which is a mandatory quality to possess if the student is to continue learning ever-evolving technologies.

Facilitation. A learner-centered approach is important to engage the student's abilities and thought processes. I encourage their ideas rather than instill my own upon them. I believe in open-ended assignments where students are permitted to define structures for themselves. I feel my job is to provide students with the tools, discuss the techniques, and to explore aesthetic meanings implied by the medium.

Purpose and intention. Students should approach the classroom and their work with deliberation. They should have goals and should pursue them. Validation of their work must be provided through statements of intention and by keeping a journal of their thought processes - an invaluable asset for assessment and facilitation.

Academic Service:

Founded and served as faculty advisor for the Sonic Arts Club at the Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg.

Served as the faculty advisor for the student club Visual Infusion at Northern Illinois University.

Designed and maintained three professional audio suites at the Illinois institute of Art Schaumburg.

Served on the curriculum, conduct and appeals, Artimation Festival, and presidential mission and direction committees.

Intermedia Art (NIU 466) (website)
This course will investigate the relationship between various media and allow the student to combine multiple mediums into a singular work of time-based art. The course will begin by studying individual disciplines and will culminate in a final piece that is a convolution of those disciplines.
Level: Advanced/Graduate

Audio Art (NIU 369) (website)
This course will concentrate on the use of audio as an art form. It will stress the digital creation of sound through experimentation and personal expression. A key area of study will be the development of audio in relation to visual material. This course will not deal with conventional recording techniques or traditional music composition; however, these areas may be briefly discussed or referred to.
Level: Advanced

Critical Topics in Art and Time (NIU 355) (website)
This course explores issues related to electronic and time based media (video, web, and interactive/computer art). Areas to be covered include historical contexts, experiments in art and technology, popular culture and media in digital art, and future contexts. Class time will be divided between video screenings, interacting with art on the Internet, discussions, and lectures.
Level: Advanced

Introduction to Video (ILAS MM 305) (website)
This course introduces students to the basic concepts, aesthetics, and techniques of videography. The study is then related to animation, multi-media, and advertising applications. An overview of pre-production, production, and post-production processes helps the student to translate their work to the medium.
Level: Underclassmen

Advanced Image Manipulation (ILAS VC 303) (website)
This course is designed to enhance the skills acquired in previous image manipulation and technology-based classes. Emphasis will be placed on advanced applications and the appropriate selection of variables for the required task.
Level: Advanced

Fundamentals of Video (NIU 267)(website)
This class serves as an introduction to the use of video and time as media for artistic statement. Technical aspects of the medium will be covered, including lighting, proper camera use, editing, and use of sound. Students will also receive lectures on the historical and contemporary issues relating to the Video Art movement. The student will be expected to create work that exemplifies both the technical knowledge gained as well as the conceptual/aesthetic practices of Video Art.
Level: Underclassmen

Image and Text Fundamentals (NIU 273) (website)
This course will focus on the expressive and communicative possibilities of the digital image. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have further advanced their skills with imaging software and processes while increasing their understanding of the construction of images and image content.
Level: Underclassmen

Introduction to Audio (VP 102) (website)
This course investigates the principles of digital sound and music recording. An introduction to sound includes the study of sound characteristics, basic acoustics, ergonomics, and basic techniques for field recording. Waveform physics and psycho acoustics are also covered. The role of sound/music in video production is explained and exemplified. Techniques to integrate digital audio for Animation, Video, CDROM, and web applications will be explored.
Level: Underclassmen

Life Drawing (ILAS CAM 201)
Drawing from live models, the student will examine the anatomy, proportion, surface planes, and movement of the human form. Beginning with basic gesture drawings, the course will progress to detailed figure representations. The course will explore the relationship of muscle structure, light and shadow, movement and form.
Level: Advanced

Survey of Design (ILAS DMP 112)
This course presents a survey of major events and development in the history of motion media and mass communication. The survey focuses on the relationship between technology and media development and explores the impact motion media and mass communication have on society and economy.
Level: Underclassmen

3-D Design (ILAS VC 244)
This course is an introduction to the basic elements and principles of 3-dimensional design. It is the exploration of the visual and structural qualities of objects. Students will be exposed to solving problems through researching, drawing and organizing different elements to create three dimensional forms within spatial environments.
Level: Underclassmen

Fundamentals of Design (ILAS VC 101) (website)
The basics of design will be explored in this introductory course. Using a variety of materials and techniques, the creative process will be introduced and developed. An exploration of design elements and relationships will establish a basic aesthetic sensitivity.
Level: Underclassmen

Fundamentals of Drawing (ILAS VC 100)
The basics of drawing will be explored in this introductory course. Using a variety of materials and techniques, the creative process will be introduced and developed. The fundamentals principles of perspective, line, value, texture, and object rendering in correct proportion will be presented.
Level: Underclassmen