Embedded Files
Michael Lewis, Faculty Lead and Master Instructor
michael.lewis@tstc.edu
I am an instructor who is sincerely dedicated to the success of my students. My objective is to prepare, inspire, and motivate students to develop their knowledge and skill in graphic design. I started my career as a commercial artist at Southwest Printing in Bryan College Station. While there I created advertising campaigns and layouts for a variety of printed media. I created most of the concepts and assured that they conformed to reproduction standards upon completion. In less than a year fate compelled me to return to college fulltime and complete my bachelor’s degree.
After graduation, I would start the second chapter of my career when I was hired as a graphic designer at Custom Printing, Inc. in Belton, Texas. CPI, is a privately held company based in Central Texas, that has been a leader in the Promotional Products Industry for over 50 years and is ranked among the top suppliers in the nation. While there I held several positions as Graphic Designer, Team Leader, Graphics Supervisor, Graphics Technician, Graphics Systems Administrator, and Graphics Department Manager. The last two and a half years of my service I was promoted to Vice President of Administration and Pre-press Operations. In that capacity I managed a team of twenty-six staff members who handled data processing and digital pre-press operations for approximately 1000 orders per week, generating almost twenty million dollars in revenue annually. My duties included directing personnel, developing administrative services and operational strategies, preparing budgets and controlling expenses; determining administrative quality standards, procedures and policies, maintaining work-flow, training new staff, resolving problems, and maintaining communication. I should note that during my time at CPI I regularly served on the advisory board of TSTC’s graphic design program and had the honor of teaching adjunct for one semester.
I’ve worked as a freelance graphic designer for most of my professional career creating design pieces that meet specific needs of businesses and organizations (e.g., logos, displays, banners, brochures, identity systems, posters, flyers, newspaper and magazine advertisements).
My professional experience has played an integral role, and has shaped my teaching style and philosophy. I really enjoy teaching people who want to learn; it's the best reward. I've learned that staying current with design practices, and giving students individualized attention is important in helping them achieve their educational goals. It's satisfying to see a student grow in self-confidence and really believe that they can achieve their career goals.
I’ve been teaching now for almost 24 years, specializing in advertising design and printing technologies. I had the privilege and honor of serving as the Digital Media Design program's Faculty Lead. I was responsible for the program’s compliance with THECB, SACS accreditation, and institutional compliance standards. I managed, developed, prepared, and conducted activities that directly support instruction, the objectives of the program, and the instructional goals of the College. I maintained a current curriculum through the advice of an industrial advisory committee of well-informed and responsible representatives.
Stacie Buterbaugh, Master Instructor
stacie.buterbaugh@tstc.edu
Hello everyone, my name is Ms. Buterbaugh and I will be your Instructor for this course. I am excited to be able to teach and coach you through this semester. My educational background started with obtaining a degree from TSTC in Commercial Art and Advertising. I then continued my education to earn a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree in Business. My experience in graphic design includes the disciplines of advertising, identity design, corporate communication, editorial design, publication, and social media management. I love designing and being able to solve problems through it. In my spare time when I’m not working or submerging myself in all things design, I like to garden, cook, and enjoy the outdoors.
Desiree Jones, Instructor
desiree.jones@tstc.edu
Hello! My name is Desiree Jones. I'm a former graduate from TSTC obtaining my degree in Visual Communication and Design. I have been employed at TSTC since January of 2021 and now an Instructor as of January 2024. Being a student and taking the same courses you are now, having real life design experience in both corporate and private agencies, and now being able to help you achieve your goals is something I'm very excited about! I'm a technology junkie who also enjoys gaming and photography, both digital and film. When I'm not sitting in front of my computer, or shooting with my camera, my current hobby is restoring my first project car, a 1987 Porsche 944, and trying to master the insane world of saltwater aquariums. I look forward to getting to know my students and helping you during the semester, and beyond!
David Place, Associate Professor
david.place@tstc.edu
I've been with TSTC since 2008 and I've worked at both the Abilene and Harlingen campuses but most of my time with TSTC has been at Harlingen. I have a black belt in karate. I have a MS in Interactive Media and a MFA in Creative Writing, and I recently completed my first novel. I've worked as an Adobe software trainer for several years and have taught Graphic Arts and Web Design for two other colleges. I've developed courses as a subject matter expert in User Experience Design and Motion graphics for two additional universities. I'm a certified Adobe Education Trainer and an Adobe Creative Educator. Before becoming an instructor, I worked as a graphic artist, reporter, and eventually the acting managing editor of The Mid-Valley Town Crier in Weslaco, TX, and an editorial graphic artist for the Brownsville Herald in Brownsville, TX. While at The Mid-Valley Town Crier, I designed and launched the paper's entertainment section and authored a nationally syndicated column.
Gabriel Garza, Master Instructor
gabrial.garza@tstc.edu
I have been an instructor with TSTC since 2008. I have a BFA along with an Associates in Graphic Design. Before becoming an instructor, I graduated and received my second Associate's degree from Daveschool which is a visual effects school located in Universal Studios, Orlando FL. It is an intense school focused on 3D modeling, animation, and visual effects. While attending Daveschool, I had a unique opportunity to work on the visual effects for the pilot episode of "The Deadliest Warrior" which aired on Spike TV.
I have a strong background in traditional drawing, painting, and sculpting which made becoming a digital artist much easier. I like to think of a computer as another tool used to create art. I have had many hobbies related to art, but have recently acquired a new hobby related to animals. specifically birds of prey. I am a licensed falconer and currently fly a Red-Tailed hawk. Just like art and graphic design, this hobby requires a lot of patience, time, and dedication.
Garnet Gaither, Master Instructor
garnet.gaither@tstc.edu
I grew up in Kingsville, TX and have always been involved in art since elementary school. There were art clubs in Jr. High and High school and in college, I graduated with a Fine Arts degree. Of course all this was before computers arrived on the scene. Out of college my first job was doing artwork for a trophy and awards company. Later I had jobs as a graphic artist, commercial artist and science illustrator. The latter involved cleaning up scientist research in geology. This created an interest in natural science that I enjoy to this day. Shortly after graduating college, computers did start appearing in the field and I was lucky enough to ride the wave to my current position as instructor, about a 40 year span. I've been teaching for 25 years now. Whew! As I stated in my intro video, Adobe Illustrator has been my specialty and has been with me all that time, in the various positions I've held and even with personal projects along the way. It is the industry standard now and I hope that you will enjoy learning it, too, in the Vector Graphics for production course. For hobbies I enjoy music, I collect audiophile editions of LPs (vinyl albums) and CDs (specifically SACDs; Super Audio), I particularly enjoy recordings mixed in 5.1 multichannel, (5 speakers and 1 bass woofer) as well as quadraphonic mixes from the 70's now on SACD. So yes, I'm not a downloader or one that listens to music through a device. I enjoy movies (drama), gardening and plants and reading non-fiction.
Report abuse