Jamie Fanton

A Little About Me

My name is Jamie Fanton, and I teach digital art at San Mateo High School. I hold a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art, a CTE Credential in Arts, Media, and Entertainment, and I am an Adobe Certified Professional in Graphic Design.

Before I became a teacher, I worked as a fashion designer for over 13 years. I earned my BFA with a concentration in Painting and Drawing from the University of Michigan, then moved to New York City, where I continued my education at the Fashion Institute of Design and earned a degree in Apparel Design. During my time in New York, I designed womenswear for brands such as Calvin Klein, Express, American Eagle, Ann Taylor, and Marc Jacobs. After relocating to San Francisco, I continued my career designing for Gap, Old Navy, and Levi’s.

In 2015, I decided to step away from the design industry to explore a new path where I could use my skills and experience in a more meaningful way. That journey led me to the classroom. I enjoy working with students, helping them grow, appreciate art and design, and create work they are proud of. Watching them develop skills they didn’t know they had is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

Teaching Philosophy

As a former professional designer, I bring real-world experience, a passion for creativity, and a love for design into the classroom. I believe design is not only a valuable skill but also a powerful lens through which we can interpret and influence the world around us. My goal is to help students recognize that design is everywhere and to understand its impact on their daily lives.

While not all of my students will pursue careers in design, I aim to equip them with creative confidence, visual literacy, and practical skills they can apply in any field. I design my projects to be meaningful, relevant, and engaging, and I encourage students to develop their own personal style. Throughout the course, students explore a wide range of design disciplines, including branding, typography, pattern design, product design, and digital illustration. They learn the complete design process, from concept to creation, while building strong technical skills in Adobe Illustrator and learning to use the computer as a powerful creative tool.

I work to create a safe, inclusive classroom environment where all students feel supported, respected, and empowered to take creative risks. Students enter my classroom with diverse experiences, interests, and skill levels. To support this range, I design a flexible and inclusive curriculum. Projects are scaffolded with visual examples, checklists, class demonstrations, and optional extensions to ensure that all students can access the material while still being challenged. I emphasize the creative process and help students view mistakes and setbacks as essential parts of learning and growth. Each assignment is structured to reinforce core skills while allowing for personal expression. As a result, although all students complete the same projects, their final outcomes are often uniquely their own.

Assessment in my classroom goes beyond technical proficiency. In addition to evaluating students on their understanding and application of design principles and tools, I also consider creativity, effort, and growth over time.

Ultimately, I hope students leave my class with a deeper appreciation for design and a portfolio of work they are proud of. If I inspire even a few to pursue a creative career, that is an added bonus.