Teaching
Philosophy
My decision to pursue a career in graphic design stemmed from my affinity for creative problem solving. The design field is an engaging career path that rewards an inquisitive mind-set with inspiration, insight, and empathy for how to approach a communication problem.
My experience in design and creative problem solving led me to a position with Apple, Inc. as a personal trainer and consultant. In that position, I educated Apple customers on the technological capabilities of their equipment and guided them through their own projects. It was here that my passion for education sprouted.
At Apple, I learned that education is a never-ending process. People of all ages benefit from new knowledge. We have all heard the saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” As an educator, I provide students with the knowledge and guidance they will need to succeed on their own. With a student-led method of teaching, I incorporate flexibility into my lesson plans so that each class is dictated by students’ needs. I find that pushing the students to answer their own questions creates a more rewarding experience for them and higher levels of confidence when they are left to their own devices.
At times I embrace the moniker of “tech nerd”. Staying current in the design field is critical. One of the lessons I have developed over time is focused on the importance of students making a separation between technical skills and design skills. When students go right to the computer to solve a problem, they have already limited the scope of their design by their knowledge of what the software can do for them. The computer is not the designer; the computer is the tool that helps you actualize a design. I stress the importance of sketching and research in every project. Conceptualizing can make or break a design, and an iterative workflow can help one surmount challenges.
The most important aspect of teaching is providing students with feedback. Students learn through feedback and constructive criticism. Often, I hear about the stress of being in a design program and dealing with the subjective nature of the field. It is important for students to understand why something is not successful and to leave a critique understanding what they can do to improve upon their work. In today’s society where kids are awarded trophies for last place and ribbons just for trying, the challenge is to push students to realize they can learn from failure and grow from mistakes.
I maintain that an honest class environment allows students to be open with their opinions and go beyond the “it looks good” type of feedback that benefits no one. I push students to think about why things work or fail, and then to defend their design decisions beyond passive and cursory remarks about “looking good”. I encourage students to collaborate with each other and often break the class into groups to start a dialogue with those who struggle to be heard in a larger setting.
I ask students to conduct themselves as professionals in the field and articulate their opinions in an educated manner. During final presentations of major projects, I require that students come prepared to sell their peers on how they solved a design problem as if they were in an interview or a client meeting.
In as many projects as possible, I stress the importance of real world applications. Every project that ends its life cycle on my desk with a grade on it is a lost opportunity. Students who have the chance to partner with local businesses, other departments on campus, student groups, or social causes not only gain valuable experience that can shape them professionally, they have the chance to actualize their vision and witness their work in action—true experiential and engaged learning.
I appreciate the relationships I have made with students and have been gratified to receive high ratings on my course evaluations. I love when students reach out to me to get my opinion on projects or professional client work—even after they graduate. My feelings are indescribable when students move on to their careers and thank me for the role I have had in molding them into professionals. I always remind them that I was just there to point them in the right direction, and that they did all the work.
I look forward to further establishing myself as a design educator where I can grow with the field, embrace new technology, and continue to learn, research, and influence the design community and future designers.
Course Development
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Students begin with basic operating system procedures and digital best-practices. Foundational comfort with technology will progress to extensive use of design industry standard programs within the Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign). Emphasis will be placed on applied knowledge as the class progresses from program to program. Students will become confident with the tools and processes of the field and be empowered by their independence within the boundaries of best design practices.
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A broad introduction to design aesthetics and the visual organization of information. Students will focus on learning aesthetic fundamentals. Current design theory, research, and practical application will be a focal point in conjunction with project development. The course is structured to aid students in developing formal design skills with a strong background in process and practicality.
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An introduction to the study of the letterforms as a pillar of graphic design. A focus on how typography can be used as a communicative device as well as a graphic, compositional and expressive element within print and digital environments. Exploration of letterform anatomy, analysis, measuring systems, and identification will all be foundational to the practical issues of setting and using type effectively
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Introduction to web design principles and web content management. This course covers topics such as user interfaces, web conceptualization, page structure, web accessibility standards, user experience, and design considerations for electronic media. Projects involve the development of web architecture and complete design aesthetic choices specific to the web on mobile, desktop, and other environments.
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A deep dive into design research and its application to large-scale projects with multiple components under the same unifying theme. Students will focus on making research-driven design choices based on audience, market, competitors, and opportunities for innovation. An emphasis is placed on designing within a system to create a functional, broad, but related aesthetic.
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Emphasis will be placed on digital product design/development and the application of user- centered design techniques necessary for creating intuitive interfaces that facilitate good user experiences. UX/UI is an important aspect of mobile app design, interactive interfaces, and end-user testing. Students will focus on the design process from research, conceptualization, and testing to presentation and implementation.
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This course focuses on the application of design principles to motion graphics and video production. An emphasis will be placed on the sequencing of images and graphics in a way that creates a visual narrative and/or communicates a message. Projects will primarily be constructed through the use of Adobe After Effects. The design process will be explored through exercises, research, creative exploration, and product implementation.
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A hands-on focus of the production of printed and electronic publications like magazines, zines, and newspapers. Student conduct market research, curate and edit content, create editorial illustrations, practice photojournalism, and design publications with an emphasis in page-layout.
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An exploration of what we as creative problem solvers can do, on a large scale or in our own backyards, to make a difference through design. How can we demonstrate the value of design by doing valuable things? We analyze success stories of design making a difference in a variety of cultures. There is an emphasis on public good, sustainability, advocacy, service, and civic engagement through working with non-profit organizations. This course is an opportunity to leverage student’s skills and passions as designers to model engaged citizenship and actualize Quincy University’s mission as a Franciscan institution.
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A survey of the scope of professional practices in the creative workforce. Students produce pre-professional portfolios, freelance business collateral, and employment documents like resumes, cover letters, and reference lists. Industry professionals are invited to speak about their experiences and give advice on how to progress in the field. Excursions may be taken to local businesses for tours and behind the scenes looks at business operations. Students are prepped to apply for jobs, be successful during the interview process, submit to graduate schools, and run a freelance creative practice.
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Examine design trends in aesthetics and theory, from the invention of writing to the digital revolution. Students learn how to identify styles and understand their significance to contemporary design. Development of their ability to write personal and analytical commentary of a particular design subject as well as their ability to research and present view points on design. Further development is made by creating inspired design pieces with respect to historical design techniques.
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This course will provide an introduction to the history, arts, and architecture in the cultural context of Italy, France, and Switzerland. There is a focus on visual, performing, and literary arts with an emphasis on experiential learning opportunities.
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Students will be given the opportunity to produce a self-directed, mature body of work. Seniors are encouraged to work on the concept for the seminar over the summer, submitting a completed proposal within the first week of the fall semester. Weekly meetings will be held with the advisor to ensure regular progress in accomplishing the goals established in the student proposal.
Apple Recognizes Gary Meacher as an Apple Teacher.
Apple Teachers are recognized for their understanding of how to use Apple products for teaching and learning. They have proven knowledge of using iPad, Mac, and built-in apps to enhance productivity and inspire creativity in their classrooms and beyond.
Apple honors their achievement and commitment to creating the very best learning experiences for students.