Faculty

Outstanding Faculty Award Winner - Deanna deMayo

Describe a favorite class project.

A project which I particularly enjoy involves creating a pattern of organic shapes. Students must mix complementary colors to create a wide range of neutral colors. They are surprised to discover the rich colors that they are able to create with only the three primaries. The shapes they come up with must originate from images found from books in the FIDM Library. This process encourages students to reference pictures of plants and animals and then translate them into motifs of their own. I am always amazed and delighted to see the highly sophisticated results of these first quarter students.

Do you have a particular style or philosophy about teaching?

My goal as a teacher is to provide the environment for students to feel comfortable exploring their own connection to the subject matter. In this way, I believe they will engage more intensely with the heavy workload I demand. During the pandemic, I asked my students to respond creatively through art, music, poetry, dance, or any medium they chose, to how the pandemic had affected them. The responses were more creative and poignant than I could have possibly imagined.

Do you have a favorite memory teaching at FIDM?

I have many wonderful memories of students learning and growing in my classes. I particularly enjoy when a former student reaches out to tell me how they now understand what the lessons of color and design mean to their career.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at FIDM?

It is wonderful to see our students come to a school designed to respond to their particular goals. They come to FIDM for specific careers and are eager to absorb what we provide them. It is a joy to see them take advantage of the resources that are available and grow into professionals.

Deanna deMayo is an Outstanding Faculty Award Winner, an award given by the student body to outstanding faculty members.

Categories:  Professional Studies Faculty