HANDOUTS
I developed and taught a graphic design curriculum at a charter high school in Los Angeles.
Design education is a critical but often overlooked component of standard curricula. While traditional art programs focus on self-expression, design education emphasizes critical thinking, purpose-driven creativity, and communication—skills that are increasingly valuable in today’s world. By integrating design into education, we can equip students with tools to better navigate and shape the visual and social landscapes around them, preparing them not just for careers but for more thoughtful engagement with the world.
To me, the beauty of this practice lies in how abstract, philosophical concepts come alive in meaningful, tangible ways. Critiquing capitalism becomes redesigning their favorite restaurant or thrift shop; exploring a sense of belonging transforms into recreating the school logo and printing it on T-shirts. It’s deeply heartwarming to witness these ideas take on such sincerity and vibrancy. Through the carefully designed, color-printed handouts, I aim to show the students that I genuinely care about them—and I believe they feel it. Their growing investment in the projects is a testament to the power of thoughtful, personalized education.