Teaching Artist & Designer
Guiding learners to connect theory and practice, and turn their creative potential into impact
Introduction
As an artist, designer, and educator, I’m passionate about empowering the next generation of creatives through inclusive, skill-driven, and reflective learning experiences. Over the past five years, I’ve taught courses in illustration, UX design, and design thinking at the college level, guiding students through both the fundamentals and the bigger picture of what it means to build a creative career. Whether I’m in the classroom or giving a guest lecture, I strive to create a space where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to find their voice as artists and designers.
Teaching Experience
Since 2021, I’ve taught a range of art and design courses at the college level, including full-semester and summer pre-college programs, both in person and online. My teaching spans user experience design, illustration, and graphic design, with an emphasis on creative problem-solving, technical skill-building, and real-world application. I’m passionate about helping students develop their unique voice while equipping them with the tools and thinking needed to succeed in today’s evolving creative industries.
Foundations of UX Design
This course introduces students to the core principles of user experience (UX) design and its impact in today’s digital landscape. Through a hands-on, project-based approach, students will explore the human-centered design process, gaining experience in user research, prototyping, and usability testing. Emphasis is placed on developing intuitive digital solutions, critical thinking, and a personal design philosophy. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with practical tools to approach complex design problems with empathy and creativity.
Illustration I
Illustration I offers an engaging introduction to the field of contemporary illustration. Students will explore visual storytelling, creative problem-solving, and effective communication through a variety of media and techniques. The course emphasizes concept development, composition, and stylistic exploration while strengthening fundamental drawing skills. With a focus on process and experimentation, students will begin to develop their unique voice as illustrators and apply professional workflows to bring their ideas to life.
Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator
This course provides a practical foundation in digital graphic design using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will learn how to visually communicate ideas through image-making, typography, and layout. Emphasizing real-world design practices, the curriculum covers essential techniques such as photo editing, digital illustration, and vector-based design. Through guided projects, students will gain confidence in industry-standard tools and develop a working knowledge of the visual design process from concept to execution.
Teaching Philosopy
Teaching Philosopy
I believe that great learning starts with a welcoming environment. In my classroom, I work to create a space where students feel safe to be themselves — open, vulnerable, and curious. I’ve found that when students feel seen and respected, they’re more likely to create work that is deeply personal, meaningful, and bold.
Every student brings a unique background, experience, and point of view, so I approach teaching with empathy and a desire to understand who they are as individuals. By building those relationships, I can better support their growth and help them find confidence in their work.
My goal as an educator is to help students build a strong foundation in both creative thinking and technical skills. I believe that once students truly understand the fundamentals — the “why” and the “how” — they can push their work into more experimental, innovative territory. I aim to strike a balance between theory and practice, giving students the tools they need to navigate real-world creative challenges while staying true to their ideas and identities.
Student Comments & Course Feedback
“I learned a lot about different types of illustrations and the art world as an illustrator. Francesca gave in depth presentations before each project and encouraged research on everything we illustrated. It was a big help each time to look at previous student examples and then professional examples.”
“This course really gave me the ability do real-world projects, with each one being worthy portfolio pieces. I feel like I really made progress in building a portfolio and learning about how to make a career as a designer. I love that we have tangible finals for the projects, it makes me feel so much more confident and accomplished as a designer to have those things.”
In The Media
I had the pleasure and privilege of helping develop the UX Design program at Mount Mary University, where I served as a full-time faculty member during its launch. As part of the founding team, I contributed to the program’s curriculum development and helped shape its foundation to prepare students for the future of human-centered design. The news story below highlights this exciting new program and features some of the incredible students from my course.
(Spectrum News 1/Phillip Boudreaux)