Instructors

For over 20 years, Mark Allen's work as an art director/designer has been recognized for creative excellence in several industry-standard venues (e.g., Clio Awards, Graphis International Design Annual, Applied Arts Magazine, the PRINT Regional Design Annual) for clients such as the History Channel, the New York Yankees, Martha Stewart, The Walking Dead, HBO, the Smithsonian, and the U.S. National Parks Service. As an educator, Professor Allen joined the Temerlin Advertising Institute at SMU in 2003 to help start and build a new creative program for aspiring art directors, copywriters and designers. Since then, his students have been consistently recognized by the industry’s most respected publications and organizations and have gone on to work for many of the world’s biggest brands and agencies. Additionally, with a doctorate in the Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics, Allen teaches a more theoretical graduate course at the intersection of the fine and communication arts.

Stan is a highly experienced graphic designer with over 23 years of working with Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. He is excited to bring his knowledge and expertise to the classroom. Stan is very passionate about design and believes in empowering students with the skills necessary to create effective visual communication. With a deep understanding of the creative process and technical skills, he is committed to providing an engaging and supportive learning environment that fosters creativity and inspires students to reach their full potential.

Karen has spent time working in Michigan, California, and Dallas a multimedia designer, graphic designer, instructional designer, and a creative manager for ad agencies and directly in large corporations; including Yamaha Motorsports and Johnny Rockets Restaurant. She brings her industry experience and creative knowledge to help engage students in the classroom, and has taught with the program since Spring 2016. Karen previously taught at Monroe County Community College in Michigan, and at summer camps on the University of Michigan campus.

Matt has been a graphic designer and illustrator since the 90s, as well as lead design teams in multiple industries. He has designed websites and emails, packages and brochures, catalogs and logos, and a huge variety of other deliverables in a career spanning nearly three decades.

Matt has trained designers and performed detailed portfolio reviews, and has a passion for helping aspiring designers grow into the career they want. Graphic design and illustration aren’t just his job; they are a passion, a pastime, and a lifelong journey. He loves to share this passion with anyone who will listen.

Mandy Engleman is a graphic designer and educator with over 20 years of experience in the design field, primarily in art and science museums. She has created and managed in-house design teams at the Dallas Museum of Art and Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and for the past six years has co-owned Boldface Studio, a design boutique specializing in nonprofit design. For the past fifteen years she has also taught design courses specializing in typography, graphic design, and portfolio development.

Mandy has a BFA in design communications from Texas A&M University—Commerce and has a wide range of experience in brand development, print, publications, environmental design, and creative/art direction. She is passionate about typography, color, and design and brings that passion to the classroom when teaching and mentoring students.

Alyssa Galganov currently is working on web and graphic design projects as a full-time employee in the Office of Research at The University of Texas at Dallas. She brings her love of working with Adobe and other software programs and is eager to share tips, tricks, and knowledge acquired from over 15 years of experience in advertising, publishing, and graphic design. In addition to 10 creative years at The Dallas Morning News, her past experience includes working and consulting at various companies including Sabre, Freeman, American Airlines, and RTKL. When not designing she enjoys spending time with her husband, long hikes and photography.

With an MFA in visual communications, Toni M. Schuster, brings 25 years professional experience as a graphic designer, art director, visual design manager and educator.

Her portfolio includes work for private individuals as well corporations. Her papers and projects have been published in Logo Lounge, The Humanities Journal, and other industry related resources.

Through each course she instructs, Toni attempts to create an exciting and concrete learning experience — empowering students to do their possible best.

Stacy Wewe is an experienced visual communication designer with twenty years of experience in print and advertising, covering a wide range of projects including strategic marketing, brand identity, magazine design, packaging (CPG) and web design. She has a bachelor’s in broadcasting and graphic design from Washburn University and a master’s in advertising from Kansas University. Stacy currently freelances and teaches advertising and design classes at the Art Institute of Fort Worth and SMU.