As a kid, I wanted to be an architect and design cool buildings. Fresh out of high school I went to college in Chicago for a MA in Architecture but fell in love with graphic design. I worked for several companies and nonprofit organizations as a graphic designer, senior graphic designer, art director, senior art director, etc. You name it, I did it. I loved every part of the design, client meetings, initial sketches, brainstorming ideas, photography, videography, etc. I especially enjoyed being able to affect people in positive ways with the designs I created.
I have used all of the Creative Suite software for many years. I even used Adobe InDesign as a beta before the program's first release. After 20-plus years of working in all fields of design: graphics, UX, product, packaging, visual, web, etc. I wanted to learn more. I went back to school and graduated with a BA in Instructional Design with an emphasis on Human Factors. I created inspiring online learning for higher education. I spent 7 years focusing on designing for learning while still doing graphic design at the same time, creating designs that inspire and engage people.
I have always been intrigued by how design can affect what a person feels and how they act. This desire of mine has led me to teach. I’m currently an adjunct professor at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, teaching classes in graphic and user experience design. I am currently working on creating an interdisciplinary class about human-centered design and the design thinking process for solving complex problems. I’m also developing an on-campus human-centered design agency that offers internships for students in design majors.
Coming up this summer I am going back to school to get a MA in Human-centered design. I can apply human-centered design to all areas of design and education. I want to instill in students, that if they continue to design in a human-centered way, we CAN change in the world.
