Teaching
“They don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” - Jim Henson
I am an Associate Professor of Interaction Design in the Computer Science, Design & Journalism at Creighton University.
Current schedule and office hours
I teach game, graphic, web, and interaction design classes in addition to the occasional special topics course:
Concept Sketch Design
The course introduces the design of online publications, including elements of online layout, typography and graphics to create well-designed, responsive web sites.
Digital Foundations
This course teaches the basics of designing graphics and imagery and then how to publish it online by creating websites. In addition, students learn to use a content management system such as Wordpress.
Graphic Design I
This course uses a variety of computer graphic tools to develop skills and creativity in illustrating editorial and visual ideas. Students will work with and combine visual elements from photographs and artwork.
Web Design
This course introduces the design of online publications, including elements of online layout, typography and graphics to create well-designed, responsive web sites.
Interaction Design
This course examines interactive media aesthetics and concerns. The course explores techniques in designing multimedia for the Web and mass media distribution.
3D Digital Design
An advanced 3D computer graphics course that creates virtual 3D designs for prototyping on 3D printers or other delivery methods. Students will learn the basics of designing in three dimensional space.
Data Visualization
The first goal will be accomplished by engaging students in a series of short lectures that discuss how to stimulate the viewer to think about substance and content or how images might enhance and critique new knowledge acquisition in science and design. The second goal is addressed by inviting students to join in a research team, which meets weekly to collectively work on a large data set to experiment with translation of numeric information into various forms.
Motion Graphics
This course teaches students to create dynamic graphics with an emphasis on storytelling. They will create typography and motion/moving graphics, including storyboards, web preparation, and preparation for video. Each student will pitch ideas and discuss with class, and participate in critiques in order to improve content and motion graphic projects.
Immersive Design
This course explores the practice and design of augmented and virtual reality experiences. The goal of this course is to find ways that we can work together to use emerging digital augmentation tools to inspire a positive change in the world. Practical methodologies and critical theories are investigated and discussed.
From 2011 - 2014 I was an Assistant Professor and the Program Director of the Game Studies BSc at Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE.
Between July 2011 and December 2012 I wrote the entire degree which includes the following classes:
GAME 102 Introduction to Game Development
This course further explores the development and practice of Game Design and how it applies to interactive art. Topics include introduction to interactive narrative design, the basics of video game programming and computer-mediated interactive systems, collision management, version control, interface design and exporting. Prerequisite: GAME 101
GAME 103 Introduction to Digital 2D Design
Digital 2D Design provides beginning through intermediate concepts and practice in digital 2D design. Topics covered include fundamentals of digital color theory, digital imaging, selection tools, layering, digital painting tools, and photo retouching. Students will incorporate basic design principles in their texture designs and compositions. No prerequisites.
GAME 104 Introduction to Digital 3D Design
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of 3-dimensional design for digital contexts. Topics covered include fundamentals of volume, space, proportion, weight, mass, digital modeling tools, extrusion, meshes, polygon modeling and curves. Prerequisite: GAME 103
GAME 205 Beginning Portfolio Development
This course covers designing an industry quality portfolio and cultivating and maintaining an industry network. Topics covered include principles of constructive criticism, basic HTML, CSS, and the fundamentals of web design. The portfolio started in this course will be built upon in subsequent courses and will be used in internship applications. Prerequisites: GAME 101 - 104
GAME 206 Intermediate Digital Design
This course further examines the principles of 2D and 3D visual design for games. It places an emphasis on using digital tools to produce concept art and pre- and post-production materials for portfolios and personal projects. Students will explore the processes of asset, interface and environment design. Prerequisites: GAME 101 - 104
GAME 207 Introduction to Game Programming
This course explores structured programming in game development. Course topics include languages, programming techniques, algorithms, game testing, game logic, real-time 3D rendering, asset control, and pipeline management. Students will program and complete several games. Prerequisite: GAME 205
GAME 208 Level Design
This course explores the layout and content design of analog and digital interactive spaces. Students will complete a combination of exercises, individual and collaborative projects that address the creation of interactive spaces as emotional feedback systems, reward systems, narrative systems and others. Prerequisite: GAME 205
GAME 209 Interactive Narrative Design
This course examines the role of narrative in interaction design. Course topics include electronic narrative, including principles and techniques of segmentation, navigation, juxtaposition, encyclopedic storylines, and multiple points of view, approaches to non-linear narrative design. Prerequisite: GAME 207
GAME 310 Animation
This course investigates the fundamental principles of digital animation. This course will survey the historical development of the animated film and develop basic skills in preproduction, digital modeling, simulated movement, perception and the basics of digital animation. Additional topics covered include the relationships among; anatomy, motion, weight, and timing through a combination of individual and group projects. Prerequisites: GAME 205, 206
GAME 311 Interactive Sound Design
This course provides an in-depth study of sound effect design and development within interactive contexts. Topics covered include the history of sound in games, the development of MIDI, audio production process, and approaches to non-linear sound design in games through a combination of individual and group projects. Prerequisite: GAME 205, 206
GAME 312 Intermediate Portfolio Development
This course covers refining the professional-grade portfolio started in GAME 205. Topics covered include advanced web design, HTML, CSS, occupational social-networking, industry-profiles, visibility, and presentation. Prerequisite: GAME 205, 206, 207
GAME 313 User-Experience/User-Interface Design (UX/UI)
This course provides an in-depth study of interactivity, including the psychology of user interaction and methods for designing and developing effective interfaces. Combining their previous knowledge of game design and digital imaging with the concepts in this class, students will create portfolio-quality interface designs. Prerequisite: GAME 312
GAME 314 Serious Games and Critical Play
This course in Serious Games and Critical Play examines games and play as used for political, aesthetic and social purposes. Topics covered include the history and contemporary practice of games as performative objects, subversive play, and games for change. Prerequisite: GAME 312
GAME 415 Advanced Digital Design
This course is an advanced examination of the mastery of 2D and 3D visual design for games. It places an emphasis on using digital tools to produce visual asset art and pre- and post-production materials for portfolios and personal projects. Topics covered include the demonstration of a mastery of asset, interface and environment design. Prerequisite: GAME 313, 314
GAME 416 Advanced Portfolio Design
This course covers further refining the professional-grade portfolio started in GAME 105 in preparation for GAME 417 Internship/Final Project. Topics covered include jobs-research, interview strategies and presentations. Prerequisite: GAME 313, 314
GAME 417 Internship/Thesis
This course is the culmination of the program. Students are expected to acquire and successfully complete an internship with a game development studio. If an internship cannot be found, students will work on a final project supervised by the instructor. Prerequisite: GAME 415, 416