My teaching spans three distinct tracks:
university-level degree programmes, a professional upskilling course, and direct thesis supervision. Each track is designed to meet students exactly where they are and move them decisively forward.
Teaching & Programmes
From first-year foundations to postgraduate research, building designers who think, make, and lead.
Photo by Giorgos Georgoulas
A note on my teaching philosophy
I believe the best design education happens when theory and practice are inseparable. I ground every module in real-world process, drawing on my experience working with multinational brands, startups, and design teams over more than fifteen years. My students do not just learn design. They learn how to think like designers.
Track 1: BA Digital Design | Vakalo / University of Derby
The Bachelor's programme in Digital Design is a full undergraduate degree validated by the University of Derby, UK. I designed the programme from the ground up, shaping its structure, learning outcomes, and pedagogical approach to reflect the real demands of the design industry.
Within the programme I teach:
Introduction to Digital Design (Year 1) An entry point into the discipline, introducing students to visual communication, design tools, and the creative process. The focus is on developing foundational digital literacy alongside a strong design sensibility.
Entrepreneurship & Application Design (Year 3) At the final-year level, students move from craft into strategy. This module explores how designers think as entrepreneurs, developing applications and digital products with a clear understanding of user needs, business context, and market positioning.
Track 2: MA Digital Design | Vakalo / University of Derby
The Master's programme in Digital Design provides advanced study for designers looking to deepen their practice, expand their research capability, and move into senior or specialist roles.
User Experience Design (MA) My postgraduate teaching is centred on UX, the discipline that sits at the intersection of human behaviour, design craft, and technological possibility. Students explore research methodologies, information architecture, interaction design, and the ethical dimensions of designing for people.
Thesis Supervision I supervise MA theses across a range of topics in digital design, user experience, and design strategy. If you are a current or prospective student interested in thesis supervision, I welcome enquiries.
Track 3: One-Year Professional Course in Digital Design
Running for over 9 years, this intensive course is designed for professionals who want to enter or advance in digital design without interrupting their careers entirely.
The course covers the full arc of digital design practice: from design thinking and visual communication to UX/UI fundamentals, digital tools, and professional workflow. It is structured to be demanding, practical, and directly applicable from day one.
Over 100 graduates have completed the course and integrated into new positions as digital designers, UX practitioners, art directors, and creative leads.
Enrolments open annually. Contact Vacalo Art and Design to learn about the next cohort.