Zeny
M. Baduel Professor of Graphic Design |
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My professional teaching career started about 25 years ago. Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I think it's because my family was very much into education and my mother, my main inspiration, was an educator all her life, and a pioneer in education. She established a small Liberal Arts school 30 years ago with about 100 students. The College has grown since then to about 5,000 students and offers graduate and advanced degrees.
Growing up and watching my mother in the classroom sparked a desire in me to pursue teaching as a profession. And I wanted to teach something that I truly enjoyed and was passionate about, and that was... design. As a young adult I took various art and design classes, visited museums around the world, and developed my own style in rendering artwork.
In the early 80's, when the first MAC was introduced, I took computer design courses and began creating digital artwork. I loved it! My career in desktop publishing began. I was challenged by this new art form. When an opportunity came to me to teach computer-based design classes, I could not have been more excited! And I have been teaching digital courses in graphic design since then, for both print and web environments, in addition to my traditional studio classes. Perhaps to some, teaching this ever-changing technology could be daunting at times. I, on the other hand, embraced this challenge. It makes for a dynamic teaching experience :-)
Current Work
I taught art and design classes in the East Coast for over 15 years prior to coming to California. I joined the Graphic Design faculty of Santa Monica College in the Fall of 2000 as a full time professor. In 2006, I was elected Chair of the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, Design Technology Department where Graphic Design is one of its key programs.
In addition to teaching, I have been doing freelance work for over 20 years and have received several design awards for various clients. I was the Art Director of McNear Creative Associates, a design and marketing group, based in the East Coast.
I hold a Masters Degree and an undergraduate Advertising Design degree from New Jersey. In addition, I took graduate level design classes at the University of Utah. I have attended several in-house design workshops in Asia and Europe.
Non-teaching Activities
I have been a faculty advisor of 2 Student Clubs in Santa Monica College since 2001. In 2005, I initiated the formation of the first Graphic Design Club. I am also an active member of Santa Monica College's Global Council and represented the college in 2009 in Turkey as the college's ambassador of goodwill. During the summer breaks, I continue to travel around the world to raise awareness of global citizenship.
Personal Interests
Travel, museums, broadway
shows, Balinese furniture, Asian antiques,
classic literature,
a good cup of coffee... 
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Copyright©2012, Z. Baduel