Design is the focus of most of my pursuits. I teach three courses at the University of North Carolina, splitting my time between the School of Journalism's Certificate in Technology and Communication, the School of Information and Library Science and Carolina Courses Online. Some semesters I also teach computer basics courses at Alamance Community College.

You can visit parts of my course pages (some of the materials are password protected or in Blackboard):

• Visual Communication & Web Design - Spring 2008
• Information Tools - Fall 2007
• Information Architecture - Summer 2007
• Information Tools - Fall 2006

Layers of Meaning is my blog, which examines fiber art, modern embroidery and design issues in a historical, theoretical and visual framework. During the school year, when I am teaching, there are sometime long silences when I don't have time to examine anything beyond my courses.

I have several degrees and even more interests. My first degree is in Art Education from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. I taught painting, design and jewelry at Queen Anne High School in Seattle.

In 1981 I received a Masters Degree in Architecture from the University of Washington in Seattle. It was a great place to be. I studied with Steven Holl, Thomas Bosworth and James Cutler among others.

After I graduated, I ended up in New York, where I did architectural and product design with Milton Glaser. After passing all of my licensing exams, I got my architectural license. I lived in Baltimore and ran my own architectural firm for about ten years, doing mostly renovations and office space design. Then we moved to Chapel Hill and the adventure really began!