Digital Arts Center Instructional Team

The Digital Arts Center instructional team is comprised of professional, award-winning graphic and web designers currently working in their respective fields. They are committed to sharing their industry design expertise and digital proficiency in the classroom as part of a mentorship-style program. Collectively, they represent literally hundreds of years of professional experience and working knowledge.

Christopher Cavanaugh, B.A., is president of The Christopher Company, a San Diego marketing and design company founded in 1990. The company focuses on industrial and business-to-business firms and develops corporate identity, print and interactive marketing tools. His specialties are marketing and business development.

Simona Cherlin, M.S., LCSW, is an executive and job search coach for individuals interested in developing or changing their career. She has managed employee career services and delivered counseling and training to over 17,000 employees. Simona has taught educational courses through U.C.S.D., S.D.S.U., and many local colleges. Some of the industries that she has been involved with include healthcare, biotechnology, consumer goods, retail, building, education and human services. Simona is the author of San Diego Job Search. She has co-produced a local TV show and has created and produced an audiotape entitled "Getting Your Career in Gear".

Randall Cornish, B.A., is an award-winning educator and freelance graphic artist with more than 32 years experience as a print media specialist. He's an Adobe Certified Expert and a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Randall is a judge at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, where he awards ribbons to winners in the Student Showcase graphic arts division and he's a judge in the statewide Media Arts Awards program, which recognizes outstanding work by California community college students.

Henry Hikima, M.S., comes to us with extensive teaching experience at the San Diego Art Institute, UCLA Extension, Art Institute of CA in Orange County, and Coleman College. He has been an Art Director and Project Manager for several local companies.

Bonnie Kristell is a Certified Trainer for Apple Pro Products in Final Cut Pro. She has been an educator for eight years. Bonnie's television background covers many years and areas of production from studio live shoots while working at Universal Studio creating syndicated sitcoms to remote live shoots in sports programming for ESPN. She is on the Board of Directors for the Visual Arts Foundation sponsoring BestFest America's student film festival. She has two EMMY nominations to her credit.

John Lane, B.A., is the faculty/program advisor and lead instructor for the Digital Arts Center Program, Digital Graphics/Visual Communications at UC San Diego Extension. In addition, John is the principal owner of J. Lane Designs, a local award-winning design studio, maintaining a national and international client base. John provides his clients with design consultation, evaluation, training and production of collateral material including publications and web page layout.

Carolyn O’Barr, B.S., is an Apple Certified Professional. She has been teaching more than 9 years and is proficient in a number of software programs including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Flash, Dreamweaver, Apple Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack and DVD Studio. She's a judge at the San Diego County Fair Student Showcase, and a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

Max Maple, B.S., received his degree in television, radio and film production from SDSU. He is a Managing Producer in the corporate communications department of SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation), a global high-tech research and engineering company with headquarters in San Diego, Calif. He also works independently, through his own company A Cappella Productions. Over the last 20 years, Max has captured images and sounds for television, cable, and FORTUNE 500 companies. His camera work has taken him across the world to places like Africa, Indonesia and Norway.

Genadi Radiul, M.S., has two Masters degrees—one in music and one in motion graphics. He has taught at the Art Institute in Pittsburgh, and is currently teaching at the Art Institute in San Diego. He has extensive experience in working with various audio/video equipment, both analog and digital hardware and software. He is currently teaching motion graphics, compositing and computer applications classes at the Art Institute in San Diego.

Kelin Rapp, M.S., is the founder of Careers 4 Creatives in San Diego, CA. Kelin assists individuals on variety of issues in career and professional development. A Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certified Professional and Nationally Certified Counselor, Kelin works with creative individuals in all facets of career development including in the area of recruiting. Kelin also works for Aquent as an Account Manager and Creative Recruiter. For over 10 years, Kelin was a Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Marketing Professional and Creative Manager. She holds a Master's in Web Design and Writing and Online Marketing as well as a Master's in Career Counseling and is certified as an Institute of Career Certification International Associate.

Aaron Serafino, B.A., is a photographer, graphic artist, adjunct professor of photography and digital coach. His extensive knowledge of the esthetic and technical aspects of printed media allows him to help bring concepts to life for his students and clients. Whether producing promotional materials for display, advertisements or fine art; Aaron's projects are imbued with an inherent graphic impact and a rare level of attention to visual detail. Aaron Serafino graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography focusing on color technology.

Connie Terwilliger, M.A., in Radio and Television from Indiana University, has 25 plus years as an award-winning Producer and Writer, as well as on and off-camera Talent working both independently and in-house for major Fortune 500 companies as well as the US Government. She focuses today on creative consultation for producers and voiceover work out of her personal state-of-the-art ISDN recording studio, as well as at studios around Southern California. Connie has been teaching the Acting for Radio/Voiceover class at San Diego City College since 1999 and occasionally teaches Media Performance (105) as needed. She is the published author of numerous articles focused on production techniques for producers and directors, as well as performance tips for talent. A long time member of Media Communications Association-International (MCA-I), Connie was President in 2006 and remains involved at both a local and international level.

Rich Underwood, B.S., is the faculty/program advisor for the Digital Arts Center Program, Video, Sound and Motion Graphics program at UC San Diego, Extension. Rich brings to us over 20 years of experience as an award winning Director, Cameraman, Cinematographer, Photojournalist, Author of “Roll!”, Designer of “birdcage” lighting instrument for Chimera Lighting Company and a professor at San Diego State University. He is represented by Stella Films, Los Angeles-as a Director and Cameraman- he has many notable and award winning projects.

Harrison Watts, M.A., is currently serving as Web and Publications Coordinator for Research at UCSD. Mr. Watts is a classically trained graphic designer, he has several years experience teaching design, web design and web technologies at the college level.