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My Portfolio Introduction, Experience, and Education
failure in disaster evacuation signage for over-touristed Japanese coastal cities. I will also begin the PhD in Communication with emphasis in Visual Communication at the University of Memphis beginning Fall 2026, where my research will continue in the area of cross-cultural visual communication, emerging media, and AR/ VR applications. I currently teach Portfolio Development and Professional Practice for Graphic Designers and Digital Imaging at De Anza College, have taught graphic design and digital media at the secondary level since 2019, and also serve as Board Trustee and Chair for Institutional Advancement at Humphreys University. This portfolio presents selected work across interaction design, brand systems, applied campaign communication, motion design, original illustration, and editorial collaboration. It reflects how I practice and how I teach: with clarity, purpose, and commitment to design that serves real people in real contexts.
I am a designer, educator, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran with over fifteen years of professional practice spanning brand systems, interaction design, motion graphics, editorial photography, and integrated campaign development. As Director of Media and Communications for Liberty and Health Alliance, I lead creative direction for national public health campaigns that mobilize hundreds of volunteers and serve thousands of patients across major U.S. cities. Through my studio, Valley Oak Design, I provide end-to-end design services for healthcare, non-profit, and education clients. My editorial photography is also published regularly in national trade magazines Fender Bender and Ratchet + Wrench through Endeavor Business Media, and has been featured in ads for brands such as 3M and NAPA Auto Parts. I hold an MA in Visual Communication and am completing my MFA in Graphic Design, Summer 2026, with thesis research focused on cross-cultural
Research and Teaching Interests
• Human factors in visual communication • Cross-cultural visual communication in safety-critical environments • Interaction design for high-stress decision environments • Design pedagogy emphasizing design fundamentals before software tools • Augmented reality as a framework for public safety communication design
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