Biography
I'm an adjunct instructor currently in the IAM department teaching courses on visual effects and animation. Since 1990 I've taught both traditional drawn and computer animation, animation production studio (a team based class), computer visual effects, and compositing.
My professional experience has mirrored my teaching areas with over 33 years of experience in commercial, industrial, documentary and educational productions. I've worn many hats including producer, director, editor, animator and compositor. While the majority of my work has been commercials for national broadcast, I've continued to explore areas of teaching methodology, art, new media, web and print. In 2017, the video I made for the retrospective 27 Chicago Designers Exhibit at University of Illinois Chicago showed at the Columbia College faculty show and is now in the archives of the Chicago Design Archive. I am currently working on an animation for a documentary to be released late 2018 on special needs child adoption.
Instructional Areas
Visual effects and animation are my primary interest, but they are based in a long and continued interest in art, design and story telling.
Creative Practice and Research Interests
My creative practice requires digital problem solving, but, in the end an audience is engaged only if the story is told well. While software and techniques are constantly evolving, the need to know how to tell a story is a constant. So the goal is for me, or for the student, to think creatively and not get lost in the battle of the technique. I find this as difficult now as I ever have, but still truly enjoy the challenge.
Degrees
B.A., Film Columbia College Chicago 1983
M.A., Educational Leadership Argosy University 2007