Interaction & UI/UX Design Faculty

Digital graphics with geometric patterns and numbers, featuring black and white design elements.

Fred McHale

Executive Director
School of Interaction & UI/UX Design

Fred has over 20 years of experience as a designer, developer, and project manager. After earning his degree in Computer Science, he shifted his focus to design and emerging technology, and has since worked with high profile clients across the Bay Area to design and develop web applications, mobile applications, and interactive experiences, while managing teams of designers.

Fred is a Claude Community Ambassador for Design, speaks regularly at industry events, mentors designers and design leaders, and contributes to the open source community. Outside of work, he follows major league baseball and plays guitar.

Industry Credits

Founder
Public Speaker
Claude Community Ambassador for Design
Collaborated with brands such as Cisco, Apple, Figma, Google, and Audi

Speaking Highlights

Speaker, Product Design Collaborative
Guest Speaker, multiple design and product podcasts
Speaker, Adobe Creative Jam
Speaker and lecturer on AI in product design
Judge, various Design Awards

Doug Van Praet

Executive Director, Schools of Brand Communication
Executive Director, School of Marketing, Communication and Design

Doug Van Praet is an industry best-selling author and globally recognized brand strategist known for pioneering the application of behavioral science to creativity, marketing, and business innovation. His book Unconscious Branding: How Neuroscience Can Empower (and Inspire) Marketing was named one of Inc. Magazine’s “Top Ten Marketing Books.”

He has worked with many of the world’s leading brands, including Apple, Nike, Volkswagen, Toyota, Adobe, and Procter & Gamble, as well as guided fundraising initiatives for global nonprofits such as World Vision, Mercy Ships, and Concern Worldwide. Doug writes regularly for Psychology Today and has contributed to Fast Company.

His insights have been featured in Time, Forbes, BBC News, The Telegraph, The Economic Times, NPR, Business Insider, and Big Think. His strategic leadership has been recognized through top industry honors including CLIO Awards, Cannes Lions, Effies, and the David Ogilvy Gold Award. Doug holds dual B.S. degrees in Advertising and Psychology from Syracuse University and an M.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University.

Anna Villano

Executive Director, Schools of Brand Communication
Executive Director, School of Graphic Design

Anna Villano is a graphic designer, creative director, educator, and academic leader whose career spans architecture, branding, advertising, digital media, and social strategy. She currently serves as Executive Director of the School of Brand Communication and the School of Graphic Design at Academy of Art University, leading curriculum, faculty initiatives, and industry-focused programs that prepare students for evolving creative careers.

Before moving into academic leadership, Anna held creative roles at FCB, VaynerMedia, Deutsch LA, and Rapp, developing campaigns for Taco Bell, Volkswagen, Microsoft, Neutrogena, Unilever, Toyota, and P&G. At FCB, she helped create Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Tacos campaign, the brand’s most successful product launch at the time. Later, as a Creative Director at VaynerMedia, she led teams producing innovative social campaigns for globally recognized brands.

Anna previously taught graphic design and digital media at UCLA. She is passionate about helping students develop their creative voices, build professional-level portfolios, and navigate careers across design, branding, advertising, and emerging technology. Her work has received digital design recognition, and she has served as a judge for the American Advertising Awards.

She holds a B.A. in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.F.A. in Media Design and Communications from ArtCenter College of Design.

Interaction & UI/UX Design Faculty

Fred McHale

Doug Van Praet

Anna Villano

Part-Time Faculty

Michael Cantanzaro

Eddie Cho

Teylor Feliz

Ryan Hanau

Dale Jones

Terry Jones

Nikki Kipple

Michael Lee

Nikolai Lotkeff

Ryan Medeiros

Matt Moresco

Roger Muller

Heather Norvall

Frank Pietronigro

Clarke Robinson