Teaching
Teaching
As an instructor in the Graphic Design Department at LA Film School, where I take immense pride in driving student success through a hands-on, real-world approach. My teaching portfolio includes Portfolio II, Concept Design I, II, Logo Design, Concepts in Advertising, Portfolio I, Design Strategy, and Color Theory for undergraduate students who have never touched design before. I hold certifications in a wide spectrum of design disciplines, encompassing everything from fundamentals like Typography and Layout Design to advanced areas such as Branding, Photography, and Advertising.
I excel in delivering comprehensive graphic design instruction, employing effective teaching methodologies to ensure that students not only grasp fundamental concepts but also master advanced techniques. Additionally, I've taken a lead role in curriculum development, crafting engaging online courses that delve into critical subjects like Advertising Strategy, Brand Development, Art Direction, and Concept Design.
Creative problem-solving is a cornerstone of my teaching philosophy and focusing of quality and craft. I encourage students to approach design challenges with innovation and imagination, instilling in them a sense of critical thinking and a knack for finding creative solutions.
Effective communication is vital, and I pride myself on facilitating open and collaborative communication with students, colleagues, and stakeholders. This creates an environment of mutual respect and collaboration, enhancing the learning experience for everyone involved.
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The Intro to Advertising course provides an exploration of advertising, from concept to distribution of multi-format media campaigns. Students assume the role of creative director and create content for all aspects of an advertising campaign. Emphasis is on the preparation of concepts and professional presentation to a client.
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Concepting introduces the value of critical thinking in all design work. Students will learn the basis of conceptual ideation and various critical thinking techniques. Part psychologist, part problem solver, part innovation: creative solutions are based on a creative brief that launches a platform for advertising ideas. Students will learn and apply ad techniques to their visuals based on a brand and their target audience. Students will experience the creative process from ideation, and sketching to completion of an advertising project for an effective ad.
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Students synthesize their concepting skills to create sophisticated integrated campaigns that stimulate, delight, and surprise target audiences across multiple media outlets. With an emphasis on problem-solving, immersive storytelling, and higher-level concepting techniques students engage a target audience and solve a brand problem.
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In the Portfolio I course students begin the development of their portfolio in preparation for employment. Students showcase their work and receive critiques from peers and instructors. Students also research and explore various web presentation formats that best communicate their work to a potential employer or client.
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In this course students research and analyze a company’s history, mission, and objectives as the basis of developing a strong corporate image. Students conceptualize and create a company’s identity including logo design through a series of exercises and projects that emphasize color palettes, type styles, photographic imagery, and more.
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Students in this course analyze how graphic elements and typography can be used to create branding symbols that are memorable and instantly recognizable. Students will then use their own ideas and collaborate with others to create new logos and symbols for a variety of clients and platforms.
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In this course students are introduced to the theories and application of color and the effects of color, emotionally and psychologically. Students will leave this course with the ability to make deliberate color decisions for design.
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In Portfolio II, students focus on refining and finalizing portfolio projects that showcase their creative strengths, technical skills, and career aspirations. Through ongoing critiques and mentorship, students develop a stronger understanding of their personal style and the type of work they want to pursue as designers. The course also emphasizes professional development, including the creation of a polished resume, LinkedIn profile, personal brand identity, and online portfolio. Students prepare their work for job opportunities, internships, and industry recognition, with many choosing to submit projects to design competitions and award shows. Previous students have earned recognition through ADDY Awards and other industry competitions, demonstrating the high caliber of work produced in the course.
Student’s Work
The work showcased below is a testament to the creativity and dedication of the students at LA Film School, who, under my guidance as their teacher from 2020 to the present, embarked on their journey into advertising for the very first time. All credit goes to these budding talents for their impressive accomplishments in such a short span (classes span of just 1 month of teaching), proving that the results truly speak for themselves.
“What did you like about Concept II class?
What I liked about the course was how the instructor explained everything in detail and how she encouraged and motivated us. In addition, instructor Morera supported us by giving us websites or more information so that we were more informed about everything and how to make the designs. The course is very well designed because it goes step by step through all the different styles of ads and how each one works.”
“What did you like about Concept II class?
I liked the freedom to create a campaign from a brief, ad I also really liked how our instructor gave us feedback and communicated revisions like a boss would do in the field.”
“What did you like about Concept II class?
The main project for this course really showed me how many skills I still lacked in Photoshop. The project itself was still very challenging and even had me ask for assistance twice. Even though my project didn’t come out exactly how I wanted, now I know where I want to start practicing and preparing in photoshop. The critical thinking aspect and editing was a challenge, but I did learn new skills.
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“What did you like about Concept Design I?
The instructor’s feedback in a timely manner. I just really liked getting further feedback on my projects and having an instructor who took the time to make sure I had all the feedback I wanted and who gave me some really good advice.”
“What did you like about Logos and Symbols class?
My professor’s patience encouraged me to keep going, especially during hard times.”
“What did you like about Logos and Symbols class?
I really liked best the opportunities to work creatively to come up with custom designs and work through some interesting concepts that I was very unfamiliar with as a graphic designer.”
“What did you like about Concept Design I?
Everything. It brought a deeper perspective to graphic design than just making something pretty and appealing. It showed the actual art and theory behind it to help make your creative process more substantial.”