Graphic Design +
Digital Media with
Illustration Emphasis

The Chair

Dana Herkelrath is the Chair of the undergraduate Graphic Design + Digital Media Department and a Professor of Visual Communication Design. Dana brings more than 25 years of experience as a designer in Brand Identity, Packaging, Environmental Graphic Design, Merchandising, Marketing and Design Consulting. Her Background includes working with clients in entertainment, medicine, urban community development, education, publishing, hospitality and international aid organizations.

Dana holds a BFA with honors in Graphic Design and Packaging from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California and an MFA in Graphic Design from California State University Long Beach. She has been teaching graphic design courses for 20 plus years and has been faculty at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and Art Center Europe in Switzerland. Dana currently teaches the Senior Portfolio and Graphic Design History courses.

A photo of an instuctor showing a student textiles.

Faculty

Dan Jensen leads the Graphic Design department in the areas of motion, 3D, experiential design and programming. His professional work is focused in motion design and digital art. Dans clients have included Igloo, Nvidia, Hurley, Barton Perreira, RVCA, Stussy, Union Bindings Co, Adidas, Champs, Footlocker, Capitol Records, Warner Brother Records. Previously, Dan was the creative director at Paul Frank Industries, Stirstick Interactive, Groove Productions, and Daily Bread Magazine. He enjoys challenging students to engage in new and immersive technologies while maximizing their creative potential. Dan holds a BFA in Graphic Design from LCAD. He grew up snowboarding, skateboarding, wakeboarding, rollerblading and now enjoys bouldering with his children.

Daniel is a multifaceted artist with expertise in illustration, graphic design, brand strategy, apparel design, and art direction. He has worked with several brands that share this same vision of a better world, such as: Access Support Network of San Luis Obispo, Whalebird Kombucha, Samabzon, HyperIce, Earnest Eats, Coromega, and Arctic Zero. He holds a Bachelor of Art in Illustration from LCAD and a Master of Fine Art degree in Single Subject Art, Illustration from California State University at Long Beach.

Emily Atwood is a Graphic and Type Designer who specializes in identity, campaign, type design, editorial and digital work. She is a senior designer at Order, a New York-based design office specializing in brand identity, publication, signage and wayfinding design. EmilyAos career includes her role as a Senior Designer at Pentagram Design in New York City for Paula Scher, leading identity, editorial, campaign and web design projects. She also worked as a Product Designer at Envoy in Irvine, California developing visual design for mobile and TV interfaces. Emily holds a BA in Visual Art from Fordham University and a BFA in Graphic Design + Digital Media from LCAD. She completed the Extended Program Certificate in Type Design at The Cooper Union. Emily brings her extensive knowledge and passion to typography and graphic design courses.

Gong Cheng is an experienced sports photojournalist and visual artist who began his professional career in 1996, focusing on live music performances and sports events. Over the past two decades, he has photographed the summer and winter Olympic Games, Asian Games, FIFA World Cups, Formula One, NBA China Games, and an extensive range of international sporting events, covering over 20 major disciplines such as gymnastics, table tennis, volleyball, and figure skating at hundreds of competitions across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Cheng served as an official photographer for the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, documenting official events and IOC activities. He also worked as Chief Photographer and Photography Department Manager at one of China’s leading internet portals, where he led the photography channel and oversaw editorial planning, industry coverage, and team development. His work has been exhibited in China and internationally, including at the Rencontres d’Arles in France. He is the author of The Visual Logs of Chinese Rock & Roll, a published fine art photography book. Based in California, Cheng continues to produce visual work and engage in artistic exchange between China and the U.S

Winston Elliott is a Senior Designer for Taco Bell Corporation, part of Yum! Brands inc. He leads creative projects for the in-house agency, Taco Bell Design. WinstonAos design solutions have helped to shift and elevate the brand’s position. He leads teams in high-profile projects and global campaigns. His projects have included The Bell hotel and resort in Palm Springs. He also partnered with Playboy to support The Trevor ProjectAos 50 Bills 50 States initiative. Winston is a dedicated advocate of LGBTQ+ rights, history, and inclusivity. Professionally and personally he strives to support inclusion, representation and understanding. Winston received his BFA from LCAD and teaches Brand Strategy courses.

Mollie Engel is Vice President of Design and Development for Shawmut Corporation, a 106 year-old textile company for Automotive, Footwear, and Medical industries, with a Design studio in Laguna Beach, California. Mollie is an experienced Designer and Design Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Automotive Industry and bringing Sustainable Design solutions to mass production. She has worked as a Designer and Design Manager for Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Hyundai Motor Company, and KIA Motors. Her expertise is in Sustainable Materials, and Color, Materials, and Finishes/CMF, Color Marketing, Product Design, Automotive Design, Concept Generation, and Design Management. Mollie graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and holds a BFA in Industrial Design. When not teaching, Mollie travels the world to Automotive Design studios, helping Design teams find sustainable solutions on a mass production level. Mollie teaches courses in CMF and is an active contributor to the LCAD materials library.

Siobhán Gallagher is a visual storyteller illustrating the nuances of life through humor, pop culture references, and sly observations from a feminist perspective. She is the author of Full of Myself: A Graphic Memoir About Body Image (2024) and In a Daze Work: A Pick-Your-Path Journey Through the Daily Grind (2017). She has illustrated and overseen art direction for clients such as HarperCollins, The New York Times, Penguin Classics, New Yorker, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Netflix. She currently resides in Laguna Hills, California.

Justin Jones is a Product/Motion Designer, Illustrator, Content Creator and Voice Actor based out of Orange County, CA. Justin has been in the design industry for over 10 years working for multiple design agencies and product companies. Throughout his career he has had the privilege to help create digital products and experiences for such companies as: Toyota, Ubisoft, Radio.com, Honda, Lexus, and LEGO. Justin previously worked for SaaS companies Sketch & InVisionApp Inc. where he created educational content for the greater design community.

Isabelle Gioffredi is a designer at Ten Speed Press/Penguin Random House. She works closely with authors
to bring their ideas to life in book form. On top of designing the cover and interior of books, she also
hires and art directs photographers, stylists, and illustrators. She has worked with and managed high profile
authors such as Jennifer Latham of Tartine, Glen Weldon of NPR, Hawa Hassan, Miyoko Schinner of
Miyoko’s Creamery, and Lauren Toyota.

In 2013, Isabelle graduated from LCAD with a B.F.A. in Illustration with an Emphasis in Graphic Design.
She is a proud member and supporter of AIGA and continues to be a volunteer for the non-profit.

Trevor Giove is a designer that strives to create thoughtful, fun and engaging experiences through design. Trevor is currently designing magical worlds as a Graphic Designer for Magic the Gathering at Wizards of the Coast. He is part of the Packaging and Product team that creates the visual identities and packaging look and feel for upcoming card set releases. He has previously worked as a Graphic Designer at CallisonRTKL and Seattle Opera and has freelanced for multiple local brands and studios. Trevor is also an active member of AIGA, Queer Design Club and Climate Designers. Trevor received his BFA in Graphic Design + Digital Media from Laguna College of Art + Design in Fall of 2017.

Austin Haynes is a dedicated and impassioned Illustrator and Graphic Designer, proficient in drawing and design with a focus on creating work digitally in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. He is the Creative Director at the Orange County based branding agency, Dyno Creative, and an Adjunct Faculty for LCAD Graphic Design + Digital Media (GD+DM) and Liberal Arts programs. At Dyno Creative, Austin focuses on pushing the visual identities of its partners brand voices to be heard loud and clear, through digital and print branding and design. Throughout Austins professional career, he has worked on a variety of Illustration projects which include Key Art creation, Toy and Packaging design, and Commercial storyboards. Austin has crafted illustrations for clients including Netflix, Discovery +, Super 7, and Cryptozoic Entertainment. Austin holds a bachelors degree in Illustration from California State University, Fullerton. He is passionate about fostering a welcoming and supportive creative community both inside and outside the classroom.

Justin Jung is a Director and Cinematographer based in Southern California. He has spent the past ten years traveling worldwide, capturing breathtaking videos, and directing campaign and documentary projects. Jungs work combines visual elements inspired by his love for nature and open landscapes. His work features top-action sports athletes, branded campaigns, lifestyle, documentaries, technical product videos, and stylized beauty photography. He has worked with industry-leading brands such as Rip Curl, Sony, and USA Surfing. Justin conceived and directed his first Documentary following the USA Surf Team to capture the first debut of Surfing in the 2020 Olympics. His passion in combination with his extensive professional experience brings technical and practical knowledge to his courses.

Eric Liss is a 3D generalist, motion designer, commercial editor/colorist and sound designer. Eric leads Motion/Division where his client projects include Art Direction, Motion Graphics, 3D, Augmented Reality, Sound Design and Audio Scores. His experience includes 10 years at FUSE Interactive.Throughout his career he’s had the opportunity to work with global brands such as Sony, Verizon, Asics, Kenmore, Generac, Elizabeth Arden, Yokohama, Prestone, Nugenix and action-sports brands including Kawasaki, Oakley, IKON Pass, FOX Shocks, TaylorMade/Adams Golf. Erics post-production and technical direction has been viewed by many from television to Times Square. He holds a BFA in Graphic Design from LCAD and brings his extensive experience to the 3D and Motion courses he teaches.

Julian Lozano is a Senior Visual Designer located in Los Angeles. Presently, he ais part of the talented team at Huge, Inc., where he gets the fantastic opportunity to collaborate with major tech giants like Google, Ticketmaster, and LG. Together, they strive to create improved user experiences that will shape the future of design. Having immersed himself in the industry for over 5 years now, he hs gained valuable experience and insights. In 2016, he graduated from LCAD with a focus on graphic design, particularly in action sports. Now, his aspiration is to pass on some of this knowledge to the next generation of students, helping them carve their paths and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of design. Exciting times lie ahead, and he is eager to be part of the journey towards a more innovative and immersive future!

Amber Miller is a Graphic Designer at Nike working in Global Sports Apparel on Basketball uniforms for the NBA and WNBA. Amber was born and raised in Southern California and attended Laguna College of Art + Design where she received a BFA in Design + Digital Media with an emphasis in Action Sports. Since graduating, Amber has worked at Nike for almost 10 years working across the NBA, WNBA, NFL and NCAA for uniforms and apparel. She teaches Team Identity Apparel as a Special Topics Design course. Amber also has a passion for helping students to grow in their careers by helping them outside of the classroom prepping portfolios and resumes.

Dan is the Lead Mens Designer for prAna Living, part of the Outdoor Lifestyle industry. He is a dedicated steward of sustainability and is part of a positive progression towards sustainability and circularity in the apparel industry. Growing up in Laguna, Dan made an early connection to the Ocean and surrounding hills. Surfing, Skateboarding and riding bikes gave him the freedom to experience the environment in a creative way. Building and fixing the toys of the trade offered a technical glimpse into the importance of design and function. Dans career began as a Sample Coordinator helping to build garments for Rusty Surfboards in 1996. He went on to design apparel for many Action Sports brands including Billabong, Quiksilver, C1RCA, Element and Captain Fin. His career includes being part of innovative projects in local manufacturing with both startup brands and established workwear makers. Dan shares his passion, experience, process and community with students in his Action Sports courses and honor labs.

Mike Schnell is an accomplished Design Director and creative professional with over two decades of agency experience in visual communication and brand development. As a faculty member, he brings extensive real-world expertise from collaborations with notable brands such as Virgin Media, Taco Bell, and Stanley Black & Decker, as well as leadership positions at FirstTeam Real Estate, Faris Lee Investments, and CBRE. A graduate of the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and recipient of both PRSA Award of Excellence and AIGA Bronze Award, Mike combines his industry acumen with a teaching philosophy that emphasizes practical application and creative problem-solving. As a Type-Ed alumni and active AIGA member, he leverages his experience in mentoring and managing creative teams to foster a collaborative learning environment that prepares students for success in the ever-evolving field of design.

Joseph Todaro is the Head of Video at Sketch, producing design education content for over a million creatives, from freelancers to the world’s most successful product teams. As a Product Designer Joseph uses multiple aspects of design from print, web, UI/UX, and motion design to support designers in practice and on platforms for designing digital products. Joseph taught Sketch online as a passion project prior to joining the company and has engaged over 37,000 students in 163 countries around the globe. He has been a featured speaker at Adobe MAX alongside notable industry professionals. Joseph has created educational content for Apple, Sketch, InVision, and Adobe and continues to bring tools and best practices for ideation, design, prototyping, and design system management to the design community both professionally and in his courses.

Jody began his career as a graphic designer working with up-and-coming natural food brands where he quickly grew into a respected designer and brand/marketing leader with an appetite (pun intended) for helping emerging brands grow. His passion for the natural foods industry would lead him to starting his own creative agency, The Village, which he founded in 2011 that focused on brand strategy and design for start-ups [along with more established brands] looking for greater growth and success on-shelf and online. Jody and his team would work with over 15
clients in the natural foods industry along with related wellness and action sports brands throughout the United States.

In 2019, Jody would join “Hyperice” – a start-up wellness technology company based in Irvine, heading their brand marketing and design teams. During his tenure as Head of Design and Brand Director, Hyperice would grow from 10 employees to over 150, acquiring three “wellness tech” companies and developing long-term partnerships with some of the largest brands, athletes, influencers, and professional sports leagues in the world. Jody’s influence on Hyperice and the wellness tech industry can still be felt today.

Today, Jody operates a consulting firm called Epoch Creative along with raising his three young children and doing more of what he loves outside of the office; sharing his passion and expertise in design at Laguna College of Art+Design (LCAD).

Born near Los Angeles Lori Werstein immersed herself in the art, design and diversity of the area. Attending Art Center College & Pasadena City College while in high school – studying painting, printing, 2D design, as well as model drawing. She completed her Bachelors Degree in Art at CSULB, later attending Otis College of Art and Design this time earning her BFA in Fashion Design. With many years of design experience working for lifestyle brands across various categories, mens, womens & childrens apparel, footwear & accessories. Brands including: Quiksilver, Roxy, 26 Red/Sugar, & Billabong. Additionally working as a fashion consultant with expertise in Print & Pattern, Logo & branding infringement, & comparative analysis of historical surface design. Lori combines her love of art, color, and composition helping students transform their creative passion into practical application, developing surface designs across many mediums.

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