WE LEARN SO WE MAY LIVE

MENTOR, COACH & EDUCATOR

Learning never ends and sharing what you learn is as important as the knowledge itself.

I am continually learning new technologies and trends and enjoy the opportunity to share with others and learn from them.

Currently engrossed in AI and the benefits as a designer and the hurdles from a legal perspective. So much to learn and share. Isn’t it AWESOME!

Those who can’t do teach. Really?

For me, it’s the responsibility of those who “can do and have done” to teach.
Whether it’s leading and mentoring a team or guiding a classroom, continuously learning and sharing what we know is a privilege and joy.

Coach

Supporting Kids & The Community –

FIRST™ Robotics Team Coach 4-Years

First Robotics of Michigan - Coach Russ

For several years I was given the honor of coaching the Elementary, Middle and later High School robotics teams locally. I learned more than I could possibly have taught from the other coaches, parents and each one of the wonderful students.

A national STEM based competitive program, we engaged with the kids exploring robot design from sketch to CAD renderings, programming and manufacture of the robot were great, but we also taught the kids marketing, documentation, shop safety, community engagement and so much more.

Both of the first two team logos were created from sketches and ideas submitted by the team members. As coaches we worked with the students on to develop CAD, electrical, coding and mechanical fabrication skills–the core of building working robots, but we also worked on branding, marketing, graphic design, building websites, community outreach and project management. It was wonderful engaging students on so many levels. 

To review some of my professional logo design work click here logos and branding page.

Besides robotics I’ve enjoyed being an assistant coach on little league baseball teams locally. Building teamwork and having fun is critical at all ages.

Mentor

In Classrooms & In The Office

I started in education.

With a desire to guide young minds and help channel the creativity of those still unencumbered by the weights of their impending life, I pursued and completed duel bachelors degrees with a double major in one of them. I received majors in K-12 Fine Art Education and Secondary Earth Science Education (Astronomy, Meteorology, and Geology). My Art Education degree works conversely well with my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA).

Classroom:

I taught drawing at a small art school (Art Reach) in Mt. Pleasant Michigan while completing my degrees at CMU, and after college taught briefly at a software training company called Linnista. There I taught Art Directors and Creative Directors the latest design software (Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator).

e-instructs_illustrator-training

Office:

I ended up getting a job as a designer before a teaching job, and it has paid my bills for years. I’ve carried my passion for teaching with me into every business environment available to me, and enjoy to this day the sharing of knowledge and experience. More than once I’ve been required to set up training programs for various companies. Examples include:

  • Developing new interdepartmental SOP (standard operating procedures) and supporting training materials
  • Detailed training curriculum and materials for digital illustrators for online animation
  • B2B client training documentation
  • ISO 9000 departmental standards documentation (for quality standardization and used to train new hires)
e-instructs_illustrator-training
MMi-POS-training

Feel Free to Reach Out
& Say Hello!

If your interested in me tackling a creative project big or small, send me a quick email. Have an amazing day!

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