Curriculum vitae

Services for hire

I am available to as a speaker and as a consultant. Please contact me with any and all questions, inquiries, or proposals.

Speaking

Teaching is one of my greatest passions, and I have spoken at colleges, academic conferences, comic conventions, and museums. More recently, I have also taught a semester length class on my visual language theories through the Psychology Department at Tufts University.

My visually rich lectures can cover several of these topics and a lot more:

• What is visual language?...and what exactly is language to begin with?
• How do language and comics relate to other aspects of expression, like music?
• How can comics and cognitive science inform better communication?
• How do you define "comics" and their cognitive status?
• How can cognitive science teach us about drawing and learning to draw?
• What is the system underlying visual narrative and how do sequential images create meaning?
• The ailments of the American comic industry, and how it can overcome them

For more information and video clips, see my "Speaking" page.

Consulting

In consulting work, I directly apply my research from linguistics and cognitive psychology to more effective communication. I can give talks on these topics, coach employees, or directly consult on strategies informed by cognitive science. My visual language studies are directly pertinent to aiding with:

• more engaging slideshow presentations
• effective graphic communication
• multimodal relationships between text, image, and gestures
• the creative process.

I'm particulary interested to work on projects that are related to education, progressive causes (such as environmentalism), and science. However, I am generally open-minded, and if you think I can provide a unique point of view to your ideas, projects, or inventions, I'd be happy to help make that happen.

Visual language “adaptations”

One of the greatest potentials that visual language has to offer is how it can effectively convey complex ideas in a very accessible fashion. I am available to work on books, websites, educational materials, etc. The works I find most appealing are both passionate and well-argued. Topics I’m especially drawn to include (but aren’t limited to):

• Politics
• Media and politics
• Media and body image
• Politics, religion, and science
• War and morality
• Educational material

My drawing styles are versitile and adaptable, stressing a blend of humor and straightforward, practical communication. Samples of my adaptation work include:

• We the People: A Call to Take Back America, by author Thom Hartmann, addresses the pervasive influence of mega-corporations on American politics and democracy.
• Narrative and expository versions teaching photosynthesis to elementary school students, done for the non-profit educational organization CAST, Inc.