RMIT University — Hanoi, Vietnam

01/2020 – present

Associate Lecturer

School of Communication and Design — Design Studies

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INTERACTION DESIGN STREAM DEVELOPER/COORDINATOR

Designed, developed, taught and  coordinated implementation of a rigorous series of three courses (see below) across Hanoi and Saigon campuses. These are intensive, sequential, four-week, “block-mode” courses. They focus on human-centered design, goal-directed design, user-experience and interaction design.

Interaction Design Theory (weeks 1-4) — This theory-oriented course focuses on developing a deeper understanding of how and why users interact with technology. Students explore several theoretical frameworks through a series of exercises and assignments that explore theory though user-research and the creation of various artifacts.

Interaction Design Skills (weeks 5-8) — This skills-oriented course helps students to develop the abilities required to create user-centered, goal-directed design solutions. Students explore methodologies and tools for design research, analysis and prototyping aimed at digital solutions.

Interaction Design Project (weeks 9-12) — In this project-oriented course students leverage skills and knowledge from the “Theory” and “Skills” courses to develop context sensitive design solutions for digital spaces. Projects focus on a holistic approach that not only include prototyping but also require user-research, analysis and testing. Students develop projects from problem-seeking to concept development to prototype refinement.

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GRAPHIC DESIGN STREAM INSTRUCTOR — Taught and furthered the development of courses that are part of a rigorous series of three courses (see below) across Hanoi and Saigon campuses. These are intensive, sequential, four-week, “block-mode” courses.

Graphic Design Theory (weeks 1-4) — This theory-oriented course focuses on developing a deeper understanding identity and branding solutions. Students explore several theoretical frameworks through a series of exercises and assignments that explore theory though concept development and iteration resulting in various artifacts.

Graphic Design Project (weeks 9-12) — In this project-oriented course students leverage skills and knowledge from the “Theory” and “Skills” courses to develop graphic design solutions. Projects focus on extending and enhancing brand identity.

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FIRST YEAR / FOUNDATION COURSES

Systems of Design — Co-design/developed, taught and implemented a rigorous course focused on systems thinking for designers across Hanoi and Saigon campuses. Students participate in a series of exercises and projects that focus on systems thinking for analysis, creation and representation.

History and Theory of Design 1 — Course introduces students to design theory and history in a global context. Students approach the history with a focus on the various design movements at various times: how they were influenced by, and embodied, their political, social and economic contexts.

Visual Vocabulary — Course explores how theories of colour, typography and formal composition inform design strategies that are key to successful production of design outcomes. Students are encouraged to apply and reflect upon design related theories and models so they understand how theory can support effective design.

Elements and Principles of Design — Course focuses on providing students with a design language through familiarity with the essential concepts and principles underlying all good design. The course encourages students to experiment with different forms and different elements.

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Indiana University

08/2018 – 06/2019

Adjunct Instructor

School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering: Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCI-D)
 

Informatics BS: 300 Level Hybrid Course —Developed, taught and implemented a rigorous 300 level BS lecture/studio introductory course focused on human-centered design, user-experience and interaction design.

2018 Summer course — Visual Design for User-Experience: 300 Level Course — Re-designed, developed and taught a course titled, “Visual Design for UX Designers.” The curriculum focused on visual, human-centered methods for IX/UX design.

 

Hewlett Packard

06/2016 – 12/2016

Curriculum Designer/Developer — contract

HP Life

Development of Online Course in Design Thinking:

Wrote and developed an online, self-paced “Design Thinking” course for small business entrepreneurs. The intent of the course is to introduce entrepreneurs to design thinking methods, processes and strategies that they may be able to adapt for use in their businesses. Goals of the course include helping students learn strategies for innovation and creative problem solving. Work also included the design of visuals and downloadable materials. Collaborated with HP and their vendors to create a course that was implemented online.

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Indiana University

08/2015 – 05/2018

Visiting Assistant Professor

School of Art, Architecture and Design

Curriculum Development — Responsible for instruction and curriculum development for design students at the BA, BFA, MS and MFA levels.
 

Graphic Design BFA: 400 Level Studio Course — Developed, taught and implemented a rigorous 400 level BFA Studio course focused on anthropological methods adapted for visual research, human-centered design, user-experience and interaction design for visual designers.

Intro to Graphic Design: 200 Level Course — Developed, taught and implemented with other instructors a 200 level “Intro to Graphic Design” course. Duties included instructing, advising and supervising three associate instructors as they implemented and taught separate sections of this course. Curriculum focused on the use of human-centered design methods and visual research. The intent of this course was to create a foundation for students interested in visual design to think in terms of interaction and user-experience design. Projects were scaffolded and included user research, concept mapping, a board game design, identity, packaging and a process book.   

Designer as Producer: 300 Level Course — Developed and taught a new 300 level “Designer as Producer” course. Curriculum focused primarily on visual methods for user research. The intent of this course was to encourage student to explore the notion of “designer as author.” Students conducted field research that was then applied to human-centered, visual designs. Projects were scaffolded and included user research, concept mapping, a board game design, identity, packaging and a process book.   

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Indiana University

01/2015 – 07/2015

Associate Instructor

School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering: Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCI-D)

User-Experience Design: 300 Level Courses — Assisted with the development and implementation of two HCI-D courses — one for beginning undergraduate informatics students and the other was a new advanced course for undergraduates.

Visual Design for User-Experience: 300 Level Course — Co-designed, developed and taught a new course titled, “Visual Design for UX Designers.” This course was the first of its kind at IU for undergraduate, informatics students. The curriculum focused on visual, human-centered methods for IX/UX design.

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Indiana University

08/2011 – 07/2013

Visiting Assistant Professor

School of Art, Architecture and Design

Curriculum Development — Responsible for instruction and curriculum development for design students at the BA, BFA, MS and MFA levels.
   User-Experience for Visual Designers: 400 Level Course — Designed, developed and taught a course introducing undergraduate graphic design students to the use of systems theory, human-centered design models and IX/UX design.

Visual Design for HCI-D: 500 Level Course — Designed, developed and taught a course for graduate level HCI-D students — coursed focused on visual, human-centered methods for IX/UX design.

Production Designer: 300 Level Course — Designed and taught a course addressing production for graphic designers and the use of digital tools. Human-centered design methods were used as a tool to illustrate production processes.

 

Intro to Graphic Design (Thinking): 200 Level Course — Designed and taught a course to introduce graphic design students to design thinking concepts and theories.

Graphic Design BFA: 400 Level Studio Course — Designed and taught the BFA capstone/thesis course. Emphasis was directed towards the relationship between visual design and IX/UX design.

Typography 1: 300 Level Course — Reshaped and taught a comprehensive course in typography.

Design Thinking Workshop for Non-Design Undergraduates — Developed and taught a workshop on design thinking for non-design majors for Kelly School’s “Art of Business” program.

UX and Service Design Workshop for Non-Design Undergraduates — Co-Developed and taught a workshop on building and evaluating product/service value through a user-centered approach for Kelly School’s “Art of Business” program.

Miscellaneous — Additional endeavors included preparing lectures and outreach projects for collaboration with IU’s business and informatics schools.

 

North Carolina State University

08/2010 – 05/2011

Teaching Assistantship with Dean Marvin Malecha

Design Thinking for “First Year Experience,” — Two Semester 100 Level Course — Responsible for instructing, tracking, grading and mentoring forty, first-year design students with regard to design thinking processes and strategies.

Instructor
Design Workshop for High School Design Camp — created a one-day workshop for high school juniors and seniors introducing them to graphic design fundamentals — instructed, mentored and critiqued 10 groups over 2 weeks.

 

 

Cornish College of the Arts — Seattle, WA

08/2005 – 05/2009

Adjunct Instructor

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Typography 1, Design Fundamentals 1, Digital Drawing 1, Digital Darkroom 1 and Digital Publishing 1 — Responsible for course development and instructing first and second year design students with regard to typography, design fundamentals and digital design tools. My responsibilities included the development and implimentation of curriculum to ensure that students were at a demonstrable, high level of competence for reviews at the end of student’s 2nd year.

 

Other

04/2008 – 05/2009

IADT — Tukwilla, WA

Adjunct Instructor (part–time) — Typography 2, Drawing 1 and Design Fundamentals.

01/1999 – 06/1999

Antioch High School — Antioch, CA

Full-Time Temp. Teacher: Art 1–2
General Art Instruction — Course development and implementation. Instructing foundation level drawing, painting, color theory, composition, etc.

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