Instructors for the graphic design program were chosen through a rigorous process to ensure that they are both masters of their craft and effective at teaching complex technical topics with clarity and sometimes even humor!
Below are short biographies of several current graphic design program instructors. As with any educational program, our instructor roster may change from semester to semester. You can always contact us to find out who is teaching a particular course.
Instructor: Kim Bauer, BA, MFA
For more than twelve years, Kim Bauer has worked as a webmaster and website designer. Kim's development credits include Nationwide, American Airlines, Discover, GTE, Nortel, Avon, Herbalife, Blockbuster, Bell Atlantic, Texas Tourism, Cox and Qwest. As an instructor she has taught at Texas A&M Commerce and Collin College.
Kim's degrees include a BA from University of Texas, Austin in Art and a MFA from the Pratt Institute in Computer Graphics. She has had her work shown at Siggraph and has won several Silver Quill awards.
Instructor: John Hays, BA, MS
For the past six years, John has worked as a freelance web designer utilizing his extensive knowledge of HTML, CSS, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop to deliver quality products for many clients such as Targetbase and VPromo. Prior to working as a freelancer, John's professional background included instructional design work with AT&T where he created web based training materials for management training packages.
John has a master of science in digital arts & sciences from the University of Florida and a bachelor of science in computer science from Georgia State University. John is also a photographer and health/fitness coach, and is president of the University of Florida Dallas/Fort Worth Gator Club.
Instructor: Jon Horn, CTT+, CIW, GAP
For more than twelve years, Jon Horn has owned and managed a technology firm offering web and educational solutions. As a developer, Jon has designed or redesigned over sixty websites. As an instructor, he has accumulated over 3500 hours of classroom experience, teaching for many national organizations such as Home Depot, UPS, and Coca-Cola. He has also authored more than a dozen courseware packages. An avid learner himself, Jon works to ensure that every student's educational experience is productive and enjoyable.
Jon holds a degree from Emory University and is a Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) and a Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+). Jon also holds a Management Certificate from the American Management Association (AMA) and, in 2009, received the University Professional and Continuing Education Association's Professional Continuing Educator of the year award.
Instructor: Paige Thomas, BA, MA
Over the past seven years, Paige Thomas has worked as an instructional designer in the nanotechnology and telecommunications industry. She has also freelanced as a web developer for Tracy Locke, the Exploritorium, Intuit, and Smashing Magazine. In the beginning of 2011, Paige became co-manager of a North Dallas Adobe E-Learning user group.
Paige is an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Photoshop, Flash and InDesign CS5, and has an IT certification from the University of California at Berkeley. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is completing a Master of Education at Stanford University.
Instructor: A.J. Wood, ACP, ACI
As the President of Media Cats, Inc., A.J. Wood has been ranked the #1 Adobe Certified Instructor worldwide more than once. In 2009, he was selected to join the ranks of recognized Adobe Community Professionals (formerly known as Adobe Community Experts).
A.J. is best known for his straightforward teaching style, and ability to communicate ideas in the simplest of terms. A.J. actively serves the creative community by posting weekly video tutorials on YouTube, delivering seminars on Adobe products, presenting for Adobe user groups, and creating content for LayersMagazine.com, TipSquirrel.com, GeekBeat.tv, WebBeat.tv & One Man's Blog."