January 15, 2020

Today was an awesome day! Valees and Oswego High School hosted this years Graphic Design Bootcamp...and what a day! So much talent packed into that room. It was amazing to see what the students could do in just a couple of hours! Check out some of the outstanding design work the best of the best were able to create!

November 14, 2019

I'm probably the worst blogger ever. I don't do it regularly and I can never find the time. Today is different though. As I sit in front of my class, I'm watching them all hard at work, so proud of what they are all doing. Some are learning new software on their own, some are frantically trying to finish a long project we've been working on. Others are in their own worlds creating businesses of their own and doing great and incredible things. I couldn't go without a small note of just how proud I am to be a teacher to these amazing students.

January 29, 2019

Every few months, one of my students will write an article about our Graphics class. I genuinely enjoy reading these, as it helps me understand how they view their time here. Today, a new perspective: The Teacher Perspective.

This is my fourth year here at IVVC and it has been quite a journey thus far! Each year, the students seem to come in with more talent and more creativity than I ever thought possible. As I watch them create the projects I’ve assigned, I’m amazed at how quickly they pick up what they’ve learned. Teaching is one of the most rewarding things I never thought I’d do.

Each student brings to our room a gift that we all benefit from. Some bring creative abilities that they freely share with one another which in turn inspires and motivates others. Some bring a sense of humor that is so necessary in our field, as it helps ease stress and helps unclog our creative blocks that happen so often to us “creatives”. Some have a technical aptitude that allows those who struggle with understanding an additional resource to help explain processes in simple terms. There are even students who bring a desire to achieve greatness that is so huge, it magically flows onto other students, making each one greater than the next. Most of all, they all bring lessons that have taught me more as a teacher than I could ever teach them. For that, I will be forever grateful for each and every student that walks into my classroom.

Graphic Design is a fun and exciting way to express creativity while providing a service which ends up benefiting everyone involved. In our Graphics program at IVVC, students will learn the basics of the most up-to-date Adobe software available in our field. Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign are the three programs we focus on most.

Since our program has the entire Adobe Creative Suite, students are encouraged to utilize any available time on open lab days to broaden their knowledge base by self-instructing themselves on a new program. Students have access to website building, movie making, photo editing software and more! We also have some of the best digital cameras engineered by Canon that the students are welcome to use whenever they like. So many wonderful things to learn!

In addition to day-to-day lessons and projects, the Graphic Design Class at IVVC offers design services to the public on a case-by-case basis. This allows the students valuable “real world” experience. This year, we’ve done work for other classes here at IVVC, Sandwich High School, Somonauk High School, Hinckley-Big Rock High School, Mary Kay, The Lions Club of Sandwich (Franklin Mall Project), and the City of Sandwich, to name a few. Needless to say, we keep very busy here!

From a teacher’s perspective, I could not be happier to have found a place to share my knowledge with the next generation of Graphic Designers. I learn something every day, watch creativity brew into amazing things, and see the result of hard work and dedication. It is a truly fulfilling experience!

August 21, 2018

So, last year came and went and I only blogged twice! I have no idea where that year went....but I do know that I had some pretty talented students in there. Some graduated and are moving on to bigger and better things while others, I have the privilege of teaching for a second year. Here is to an amazing new school year!! This is my biggest class yet!!!

February 8, 2017

Things are going very well in Graphics this year. So many things have changed since last year, and I'm anticipating all kinds of change for next year. I genuinely love teaching this class! Right now, we are focusing on InDesign. Its the only program that is dreaded - but the most important one of all!! Once the kids learn it, they aren't as scared and some even begin to love it! We created recipe cards today and next week, we'll learn about how fonts really do matter - and the kids will be put to the test to design some serious posters. Stay tuned!

January 15, 2017

I've been working at putting this site together for the last few days. Its kind of addicting! Much like designing, when you see something coming together, its really hard to stop working! Its only my second year teaching and I absolutely love what I do. My favorite part is watching the students grow every day. Putting this site together was a really neat experience, as I had the opportunity to sift through some older work and really enjoy looking at it. The students have grown so much this year already I can't wait to see what they'll do next. I'd like to use this page as a way to jot down my thoughts - milestones - whatever comes to mind. I hope you enjoy looking at all the work these kids do and realize just how hard they all work. Thanks for stopping by!!!