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Visual communication is the dominant factor of daily life as we near the millennium. The universal interest of the Internet is a fundamental example. Today a graphic designer needs to be aesthetically aware, intellectually inquisitive, and technologically proficient. The prepared professional in this competitive atmosphere will need to know many new things.

Students must be competent in both design and production. The computer has blurred the boundaries between the traditional design roles. This exhilarating time in our profession offers challenges and opportunities. Those that make it can be proud of their achievements.

My design work since 1968 reflects my graphic design philosophy relating to Visual Communication. I began my design career at the University of Cincinnati (Bachelor of Science in Design) while studying with Gordon Salchow, Joe Bottoni, and Heinz Schenker. After ten years of design practice, I went to Switzerland to study with Armin Hofmann, Paul Rand, Herbert Mätter, and Wolfgang Weingart at Brissago Summer Workshop.

I began teaching at The Ohio University in 1982. To further my education I attended the Rhode Island School of Design (Tom Ockerse, Malcolm Grear, and Sharon Helmer Poggenpohl) from 1985-87 (Master of Fine Arts - Graphic Design). Paul Rand says that it is the coming together of form and content that is the realization of design. My philosophy is the relationship of experiencing, practicing, and teaching graphic design.

What are the purposes and goals in teaching Graphic Design?
My purpose in teaching graphic design is evident when seeing the work presented in the exhibition. The main purpose is to gain insight and knowledge, through a vigorous sketching process, aesthetic development, and semiotic analysis, in the field of graphic design. For the student this involves long hours and hard work (mental and physical) at sometimes tedious task. Through these simple exercises they can perfect their manual skills, develop a clear thought process, and begin the search for excellence.

My goal for each student is universal. It is to give them the possibility to achieve their highest level, whether in graduate school or in a design firm. Some choose to leave this area and travel to New York, Chicago, Basel, Bangkok, San Francisco or other metropolitan areas. The opportunities are unlimited for those willing to reach out and open the doors.

I wish them all success.