02 Sep

Posted at 20:05h in Student Work & Teaching

I am humbled to have received the Distinguished Achievement in Teaching award this past week! The recognition was not only an incredible surprise, but an opportunity to share the stage with a group of faculty who continue to inspire me with their talent, energy, and brilliance. VCUarts Qatar is comprised of so many dedicated educators, outstanding staff, and creative students who represent diverse geographic regions across the world, all of whom...

27 Mar

Posted at 19:31h in Research & Scholarship

This March, I was humbled by the invitation to participate in the Riwaq Al Fikr event on the topic of “Design for Social Change” with keynote guest speaker, Jessica Walsh, partner at Sagmeister & Walsh. Sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Zayed University, this panel discussion was part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2017: Culture and Tolerance. I was pleased to invite graphic design student, Amira...

26 Mar

Posted at 22:27h in Teaching Adventures

I recently organized a five-day field study to Abu Dhabi to help students learn about community outreach from a professional and regional standpoint. The trip was SO MUCH FUN! It was co-chaperoned with Maryam Al-Homaid and involved attending the Riwak al Fikr event, visiting the Emirates Palace, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and Alserkal Avenue. I wish I had a little more time right now to post pictures of all of our...

28 Jan

Posted at 08:15h in Service

On a cool Doha Saturday morning this January, I joined Graphic Design Seniors Rabeya Khatoon and Alisha Saiyed in the last session of the Community Art Workshop entitled “Built / Unbuilt: City / Home.”  We spent the day working alongside a wonderful group of people dedicated to building artistic bridges with the Nepalese community led by Dina Bangdel (Chair of the VCUQatar Art History Department), UCLQ colleagues, and NRNA-Qatar. Through...

26 Oct

Posted at 19:09h in Research & Scholarship

It has been an incredible week in Las Vegas at the AIGA Design Conference: the Shape of Design. There were provocative sessions, discipline-driven symposia, and inspiring speakers. The 2016 Conference brought together a diverse group of designers, artists, writers, strategists, inventors and other creative thinkers to explore and explain the role adaptation plays in shaping designers' creative practice, culture, and selves. "Adaptation is change with purpose. Writers wrestle with it. Artists embrace...