My design journey has been enriched by the interplay of photography's visual storytelling, music's coordination, and psychology's insights into human perception, collectively shaping my collaborative approach and creative perspective.
My lifelong exploration of art and technology began with photography in the 1980s.
While in high school, a mentor developed my technical skills and nurtured my experimental spirit, leading to a scholarship at the Center for Creative Studies and the sale of my first piece.
Photography was my first bridge between artistic expression and technological exploration.
Photography introduced me to artists like Hans Bellmer, Man Ray, Lee Miller, and Horst P. Horst, whose symbolic use of psychoanalysis and mythology inspired me to pursue a BS in psychology.
This education gave me a deep understanding of human behavior and perception, which provides a foundation that continues to shape my approach to experience and product design.
Explore
During my academic years, I joined and formed several bands, exploring a wide range of musical styles and live performances.
Writing music with diverse personalities taught me how to bridge creative differences and find common ground.
The process of shaping ideas into a cohesive sound and performing them for audiences built a foundation of adaptability, communication, and the courage to take risks—traits that are essential in my professional work today.
During this time, as the internet and the web grew rapidly, I became fascinated by its potential for artistic expression across all mediums.
ExploreAfter earning my B.S. Summa Cum Laude, I began working as a Bio/Medical Photographer at the University of Maryland Baltimore research hospital. I had the unique opportunity to photograph everything from microscopic specimens to 18th-century mummies once used for illegal medical instruction. The lab, a blend of darkroom and digital workstations, embodied the shift toward digital photography and sparked my passion for merging artistic sensibilities with the digital world.
ExploreTo unify my unconventional background in art, psychology, and music, I embarked on a mission to find an interdisciplinary graduate program. This quest led me to the fascinating world of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), a field that perfectly aligned with my desire to create with new connected mediums.
Below is my very first wireframe. I created it in 1997, not knowing this would be a tool I would use for decades. I just wanted to sketch out my photography webpage ;)
ExploreDuring my graduate studies in Human Computer Interaction, music became my sanctuary—a creative counterpoint to the structured world of technology and research. Playing in a band offered me a vital outlet, bridging the analytical demands of my academic pursuits with the raw, emotional expression of live performance.Just three months after graduating, I experienced a dream-like moment when I took the stage at the legendary CBGB, a triumphant celebration of my ability to nurture both my technical expertise and artistic spirit.
ExploreCreativity was a shared language for my now-wife and me. In our spare time, we channeled this passion into founding a gallery. We were passionate about supporting a diverse range of artistic expression, including photography, painting, musical performances, and fashion shows.
Our dedication to fostering this vibrant artistic community was acknowledged in 2005 when we received the "Best New Gallery" award
I landed the first-ever Digital Projects Librarian position at Wayne State, my alma mater. I became the digital guardian of incredible collections, from the Detroit News' photo archive – a treasure trove of photos dating back to the 1800s – to the Henry Ford Museum's collection of early 1900s fashion, and various artifacts from the Detroit Historical Museum.
My mission? To meticulously digitize, catalog, and make these unique and important scholarly artifacts accessible to everyone.
Published Research
Digital commons inspires chapbook project for urban high school poets
