Welcome:
Over the past 25 years working in design and education, I’ve probably built five different portfolio websites. Like many designers, I tend to update them enthusiastically for a few years… and then life gets busy and they slowly fade into the background. This is my latest attempt to keep one going.

The goal of this site is simple: to share projects I’m working on, document ideas, and highlight some great student work (with permission). Think of it as a mix of portfolio, project log, and a place to capture things that feel worth remembering.

About Me:
My background is in graphic design and computer science. I worked in industry for several years before eventually finding my way into teaching.

For the past 15 years I’ve been teaching design at international schools. During that time I’ve had the chance to teach a wide range of subjects including Product Design, Graphic Design, App and Game Design, Video and Animation, Electronics and Programming, Robotics, Engineering, amongst others…as well as IB Computer Science, ITGS, and Design Technology. 

When I’m not in the classroom or the fabrication lab, I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Fishing, running, biking, kayaking, and exploring wild places are some of my favorite ways to recharge.

My Teaching Philosophy:
I believe strongly in project-based learning that gives students the opportunity to tackle real-world problems using design thinking methodologies. When students work on authentic challenges, learning becomes more meaningful and the skills they develop become more transferable.

Design education, in my view, should extend beyond the classroom. When combined with service learning, it allows students to apply their skills in ways that can positively impact their communities. Many of the most powerful learning experiences happen when students realize that the things they design can genuinely help others.

A key part of my teaching is emphasizing user-centered design. I encourage students to develop empathy for the people they are designing for, to test their ideas with real users, and to embrace iteration as an essential part of the design process. Good design rarely happens on the first try—it emerges through testing, feedback, and refinement.

Ultimately, my goal as an educator is to help students develop not only technical skills, but also curiosity, creativity, and the confidence to take on complex challenges. I want students to leave the classroom believing they can design, build, and improve the world around them.