Design Education
The mission of this site is to promote active learning centers
and collaboration as an exploration into the
creation of effective visual communication.
Frank Houlihan
The viewing of varied geometric systems affects understanding
Organized perception
From Fibonacci, Golden Ratio, van de Graaf, Tschichold and Da Vinci we are aware that humans have visual predilictions in understanding content. Scholars argue that the Golden Ratio is found in the underlying format of the Egyptian pyramids, the Greek Parthenon and Renaissance painting to cite only a few examples in art.
Fractals are remarkable self-similar infinitely complex repeating forms. They promote metaphoric ephiphanies of intuitive perception when we realize that the microcosm of the atomic molecule is geometrically akin to the unfathomably sized structure of a galaxy.
Gallery show / installation: A Fractal Paradigm
Archetypical awareness
A tingling sensation from visual truth
Patterns inform our understanding of our environment. Since early humans survived by developing a skillset of perception in the changing patterns caused by predators we have an accute sense of seeing visual cues.
Further, Inge Drukery in Teaching to See speaks about the wonderful things in your life that you never notice until you learn to see.
Design, form and chaos
The seminal work of Paul Rand defines the graphic art process
Graphic artists cleverly and metaphorically choose images, use color and create visual hierarchy to transform what might be considered prose into poetry. Design broadens viewer perception, magnifies experience and enhances vision. When form coalesces with content the communication solution changes from pedestrian or mundane to dramatic.
Creative Education
Good Design is a lot like clear thinking made visual. Edward Tufte
Teaching is a magnanimous avocation. It involves sharing what you know, your time and your
enthusiasm for your discipline. For many students it is the beginning to one of life’s most
exciting adventures on the road to a degree and a rewarding profession. Frank Houlihan, MFA, Ed.D
Interactive PDF
Demo of Interactivity in Portable Document Format Files
AfterEffects Student Work
Link to student motion graphic simple animated 3D logo treatment.
Flash Animation Website
This content uses .swf files and cannot be seen on phones or tablets that do not supoort Adobe Flash
Search Engine Optimization
Steps to SEO and use of Analytics
Wordpress
Typical Wordpress Web Blogging
Augmented and Virtual Reality
Discussion of the use of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Education.
HTML5 Canvas
Link to Exercise for Canvas coding including simple vector animation and sprite
App Design
UI/UX using Adobe XD
A Fractal Paradigm
Gallery show / installation. Participants were allowed to enter a fractal!
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