Charles E. Jeffcoat
Associate Professor of Visual Arts / Graphic Design
Francis Marion University
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Charles E. Jeffcoat Associate Professor of Visual Arts / Graphic Design Francis Marion University |
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Charles
Jeffcoat
was born in Dothan, Alabama and moved to Mobile, Alabama
in
2001 to
pursue an undergraduate degree. Charles graduated from The University Of
South
Alabama with a BFA degree (1994) in Graphic Design.
After
graduation he worked
as an Art Director for Denson/Reed Marketing, and
eventually as an
account
executive for Lewis Communications both in Mobile,
Alabama. Most
recently
Charles completed a Master Of Fine Arts degree from The University Of Memphis
in 2005. Professor Jeffcoat was appointed to the Graphic Design faculty at Francis Marion in fall 2006. Prior to this appointment, Charles was an Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design at The University of Memphis in Tennessee from 2003-2006 and at The University of South Alabama from 2001-2003. Throughout his adjunct career he maintained a professional freelance design business through his own company Charles Jeffcoat: creative/design/consulting. His clients included the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, The National Civil Rights Museum, Art Museum of the University of Memphis, Movie Gallery, Sony Music, Universal Records, and Warner Music. He has also donated his time and design work to several charitable organizations including St Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the National Civil Rights Museum. His work has been recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and the Advertising Federation of Mobile. Besides his applied professional design practice, his current research is in the cross-mediation of hypertextual environments and the two-dimensional printed book. This exploration and research will cause us to ask specific questions concerning narrative, authorship, linearity, and believability and from it we can gain knowledge applicable to the future of both the two-dimensional printed book and the hypertextual environment. |
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Philosophy My season as a graduate student at The University of Memphis has given me the opportunity to explore my pedagogical style further. Now, as a professional design educator, my personal teaching philosophy can be broken down into several complementary parts. I believe that each of these is vital to the success of a student looking to gain the skills necessary to fulfill a career in design. These include, environment, apprenticeship, community, and relationship. I personally feel that, when all of these elements are put in their proper perspective, students of various learner types can be reached simultaneously.  In the classroom I strive to construct a creative, interactive, and participatory environment. I feel it is important for students to learn skills related to their pursuant career while at the same time exploring conceptual and evocative forms of design. Projects are composed in an effort to emphasize the development of critical thinking, creative problem solving and visual communicating skills. I challenge my students with use of different methodologies in an attempt to teach them a broad spectrum of design concepts and vocabularies. It is my desire for students to leave my classes with the capacity to be successful in the professional world of design as well as pursue a further degree in design should that be their path. Lectures are designed to teach students about the history, theory, concepts, and current trends in Visual Communication. I encourage open discussion and strive to create an environment where students learn to present their work and constructively critique the work of others. I also believe that creative input is fundamental to a student’s own creativity and therefore encourage readings, regular visitations to artistic venues, and presentations on design.  It
has been my privilege to spend the last ten years of my
life in the
professional world. Although portions of this time have
been outside
the
discipline of Visual Communication, I have always had
passion and vigor
for
art and
design. A great segment of my teaching philosophy is
embedded in the
fact that
I have been and still am a professional in my area of
expertise. I look
to this
experience as an asset to my students and feel that it is
an invaluable
enhancement to my teaching ability. One of the principal ideas I have come to realize is that the key to teaching others lies in ones ability to stay teachable. As the discipline of visual communication evolves so must we, as teachers, push ourselves to keep up with trends in tools, design and visual communication. Continual research, exploration and experimentation is a good and necessary piece to successfully teaching the regularly transforming and growing world of visual communication.  There
is no better way to learn and grow than in a community of
likeminded
people. I
believe that regular, off-campus meetings where
discussions are
encouraged,
issues are addressed, and topics are explored is a healthy
way for
students to
further meaning and understanding. Hearing from designers
involved in
the
surrounding community and trips to local agencies and
firms are
important to a
students understanding of the nuts and bolts of design. An
experience
in the vocational
and artistic aspects of design can encourage learning and
cement ideas
and
concepts into the mind of those we are teaching. I believe that a relational approach to mentorship is one of the best vehicles for both teaching and learning. There is a level of confidence that I work to gain with my students to give them a picture of what to expect in design vocations, and push them toward a higher level of design. Within the proper boundaries, I want to know them and I want them to know me. It is unfortunate that the use of mentorship is rarely practiced in the United States today. Learning from someone who understands a craft and desires to teach others his craft is a worthwhile opportunity for any student. |
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Mr.
Charles E. Jeffcoat Associate Professor of Visual Arts / Graphic Design M.F.A., University of Memphis (843) 661-1679 cjeffcoat@fmarion.edu www.charlesjeffcoat.com Return to Fine Arts Home Page |