My primary goal as an educator is to
help students develop the necessary tools
to be creative and successful designers.
Since joining the faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2014, I have focused my teaching efforts on developing soft product design curricula within RIT’s internationally-ranked undergraduate and graduate Industrial Design programs. Industrial Design involves integrating form and function through products that combine materials, process, computer-aided design, and human factors. Aesthetic sensitivity, technical competence, and analytical thought are developed and applied to meet the challenge of designing products for human needs. Traditionally, Industrial Design curricula focused primarily on hard products only.
What was supposed to be a one-time, experimental, adjunct-taught course has grown into a robust collection of soft product design courses and a dedicated studio space known as RIT Soft Studio. RIT Soft Studio courses are routinely over-enrolled, with still more students wait-listed. I have developed courses on bag design, functional apparel design, and pet product design that I teach annually, with courses on shoe design, home goods, Project Runway (in collaboration with the RIT Metals department), medical devices, headwear, soft toy design (in conjunction with The Strong: National Museum of Play), and various industry collaborations on rotation depending on student interest and/or collaborator availability.
Additionally, I have established a physical Soft Studio Lab space, building up necessary tools and equipment to support the RIT Soft Studio curriculum, including home and industrial sewing machines, overlock & coverlock machines, an industrial iron, a cutting table, and professional dress forms.
In May 2018, I co-curated the exhibit ‘Soft Studio at NYCxDesign’ with Department Director Josh Owen, showcasing RIT Soft Studio student work at WantedDesign Brooklyn during NYC Design Week. This exposed RIT Soft Studio to more than 2,000 NY-based and international journalists and VIPs on Opening Night and over 15,000 attendees over the course of 6 days, to rave reviews.
Academic Appointments
Program Director
2023-present, Undergraduate Director
2022-2023, Undergraduate Co-Director
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York USA
College of Art and Design, School of Design, Industrial Design Department
Associate Professor
Fall 2022 – Present
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York USA
College of Art and Design, School of Design, Industrial Design Department
Assistant Professor
Fall 2016 – Spring 2022
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York USA
College of Art and Design, School of Design, Industrial Design Department
Adjunct Faculty
Fall 2014 – Spring 2016
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York USA
College of Art and Design, School of Design, Industrial Design Department
Spring 2011
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota USA
College of Design, Apparel Design Department