°µTV

Digital Arts & Photography Program Director

Jennifer Laffoon is a fine art photographer and educator with over twenty years of teaching experience. She has spent the past two decades as Residential Faculty in Photography at °µTV, where she is dedicated to fostering creative growth and visual literacy in emerging artists. Laffoon has taught at both the university and community college levels, bringing a wide range of technical and conceptual expertise to her classrooms.

Her photographic work has been exhibited nationally, reflecting an ongoing commitment to exploring narrative, memory, and place through the lens. She is currently developing an installation-based project that expands her practice into immersive, experiential forms of visual storytelling.

Courses Taught: Photography I-IV, Portrait Photography

Education: BFA, Museum School of Fine Arts; MFA, University of Arizona

Is a multidisciplinary Media Arts Professor and creative professional with a diverse background spanning Game Development, 2D/3D Animation, Video Production, and Graphic Design. His creative journey extends to the digital entertainment industry, where he contributed to the development of national television commercials, online casino video games, and immersive VR experiences.

Before transitioning to academia, Jorge served as an Art Director, leading cross-functional teams on branding, motion graphics, and multimedia campaigns. He stays relevant with the industry as he runs his freelance Graphic Design business, collaborating with restaurant groups and tech startups.

In higher education, Jorge has been instrumental in developing and teaching college programs in Game Art & Animation, Game Design, and Advertising Art, integrating industry practices and staying abreast of cutting-edge technologies to enhance student learning experiences.

Courses Taught: Digital Photographic Imaging I, 3D Modeling & Animation I-II, 3D Character Animation, Commercial Illustration

Education: BA (Media Arts & Animation), The Art Institute of Phoenix; MS (Game Production & Management), The University of Advancing Technology

Salim Adair is an active freelance artist in the field of visual arts. He participated in the First Friday artwalk in Downtown Phoenix for several years. Salim has been commissioned to do sculptures, paintings, illustrations and animation by a variety of clients internationally and locally.

He has participated in and done several murals throughout Phoenix. Salim has participated in several art shows throughout the Phoenix and even participated in a show in Los Angeles.  Salim comes from a family of artists from the world of visual and theater. He also comes from a line of teachers and is happy to continue that tradition today.

Courses Taught: Digital Animation I-II, Digital Illustration

Education: Certificate, Rio Salado; AA, °µTV; BFA, Arizona State University

Samantha Lyn Aasen is a multidisciplinary artist based in Phoenix, Arizona, whose practice spans photography, video, fibers, and digital installation. Her work explores themes of motherhood, sexuality, girlhood, pop culture, and internet culture.

Aasen's work has been exhibited nationally in Arizona, Indiana, Florida, California, and beyond, as well as internationally in the United Kingdom and Canada. She has participated in professional development workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee and with Medium Photo in San Diego, California. She was also a resident at the Feminist Artists Residency in Toronto, Canada.

In addition to her art practice, Aasen works full-time as part of the Content Distribution team at Fox Entertainment Studios, where she collaborates with producers and post-production facilities to ingest content and prepare it for domestic and international delivery. She brings both her fine art sensibility and her professional media expertise to her teaching at °µTV.

Courses Taught: Digital Arts Studies, Media Productions I, Intro Digital Photography, Color Photography I, Photography I, Two-Dimensional Computer Design, Portrait Photography 

Education: BFA (Photography), Indiana University - Indianapolis; MFA (Intermedia), Arizona State University

Aidan Avery is a photographer, writer, and educator based in Arizona. In his artistic practice, Aidan works primarily with hands-on processes, including film, traditional darkroom printing, and alternative darkroom methods (salt, lith, gum). He is primarily a portrait photographer, and his work focuses on themes of masculinity, performance, and the body. Aidan has exhibited at the Center for Photographic Art, the Albuquerque Museum, the Center for Contemporary Art, Candela Gallery, and elsewhere. His photographic work has been published in the New York Times, as well as acquired by the Candela Collection.

Courses Taught: Portraiture, Digital Photographic Imaging I

Education: BFA, Seattle University; MFA, University of Arizona

Kim has been teaching at °µTV since 2009, teaching Art Marketing, The Portfolio, and Design Self Promotion. Her business experience as an Artist Representative and personal experience as an artist have given her extensive real life experience to guide her students through learning how to market their own work.

Kim is an Artist’s Representative, whose firm, Atelier Kimberley Boege, provides commercial illustration and photography to Commercial Art clients. Her background in graphic design, illustration and fine art gives her the ability to see many aspects of the creative process.

While at °µTV, Kim served as Adjunct Faculty Rep from 2020-2023. She was elected in 2023 as President for the Adjunct Faculty Group, and is serving a 3 year term.

In addition to her business and MCCCD involvements, Kim is developing her art as a fine art printmaker. She has shown locally and continues to create new work.

Courses Taught:  Design Self Promotion, Internship and Capstone Project, Portfolio, Art Marketing

Education: BFA (Graphic Design), Arizona State University

Coni Bourin is an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator, teacher, and marketing consultant with over 25 years of experience running a successful freelance design and marketing business. Since 2004, she has been teaching graphic design at °µTV, where she has collaborated on curriculum development and mentors students in developing their creative voices.

Her professional experience spans corporate, non-profit, and arts sectors, including roles as a corporate art director, marketing consultant, and illustrator for national campaigns and publications. She has participated in extensive workshops and conferences in design, technology, and leadership. Recognized as a visionary leader in the arts community, she combines creativity, strategy, and collaboration to inspire both students and organizations alike.

Courses Taught: Digital Graphic Arts I-II

Education: BFA, Parsons School of Design

Ryan Cody has been working professionally in comics for nearly 20 years as a penciler, inker, writer, and colorist. He has worked on comics such as: The Justice League, Teen Titans, The Legion of Superheroes, The Phantom, Family Tree and more. He has worked with publishers such as DC Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics and has been a contributing creator to 2 Eisner-Award Winning anthologies from Image Comics. He is also the founder of The Arizona Comicbook Arts Festival, a comic convention that focuses on comic creators.

Courses Taught: Taught: Penciling For Sequential Art, Inking For Sequential Art

Education: AA, The Art Institute of Phoenix

Dale Doubleday has been teaching courses in Digital Media for over 20 years. She previously served as Department Chair for Fine and Performing Arts at °µTV for 14 years, as well as serving as Program Director for the Graphic Design and Digital Media Arts programs. Dale began her art education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. While in the New York metropolitan area, she also studied at the New School for Social Research, completing certificates in Video Production and Direction, and Documentary Production. Dale has a Bachelor of Science in Interactive Computer Graphics, with an emphasis in 3D Animation, and a Master's Degree in Educational Media and Computers from Arizona State University. She has worked professionally in the areas of graphic design, web design, animation, and video production for over 20 years.

Courses Taught: 2D Media Design, Digital Photographic Imaging I

Education: BA, Arizona State University; MEd, Arizona State University

Jay Fotos is a multi-award-winning comics veteran who is currently working professionally in the comics industry for over 25 years on hundreds of projects. To name a few, from Spawn, GODZILLA, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 30 Days of Night, V-Wars (Netflix TV series now streaming) Wynonna Earp (Netflix series now streaming), #1 New York Times Best Seller series Locke & Key (Netflix series now streaming), Co-creating the ongoing Image Comics zombie Vietnam series â€™68, Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer (#1 Image Comics selling series), and also spearheading the Frazetta Comics line through Image Comics. Dungeons & Dragons, Batman: The Animated Series, TMNT Adventures and TMNT Munchkin with IDW Publishing and IDW Games. 

 Now also available the much-anticipated creator-owned RISING REBELS, CREATURE FEATURES and GORGON horror series exclusively at  

Courses Taught: Coloring/Lettering, Publishing for comic industry, Comics Creation 

For over twenty six years, Eric Johanni has been an art and photo instructor in four other states before landing in Arizona. He has been an adjunct professor at °µTV since 2012. Eric also teaches at Arcadia High School during the academic year, and in summer is an instructor at The Putney School in Vermont. 

Ultimately, Eric is a mixed media visual artist that draws a vast skill set which includes, but is not limited to, Sewing, Printmaking, Photography, Textiles, Wood Working, Digital Design, Assemblage, Deconstruction, and Repurposing. At the heart of his work he explores people’s connection to textiles and the impact that fabric has on our mood, memories, and relationships. 

Courses Taught: Intro to Photography, Intro to Digital Photography, Intermediate Digital Photography, Art History: Renaissance to Contemporary, 2D Design

Education: BFA, The Ohio State University; MFA, Syracuse University

Tricia brings over 20 years of experience in the creative industry, beginning her career as a graphic designer before advancing to Art Director and Creative Team Manager. A graduate of the Art Institute of Phoenix with highest honors, she is recognized for her collaborative approach and attention to detail. Her work focuses on understanding client objectives and translating them into strategic, visually compelling designs that connect with target audiences.

As an adjunct faculty member at °µTV, Tricia integrates her professional experience into the classroom, emphasizing both creative exploration and practical skills essential for success in today’s design industry. Drawing on her formative years in Kenya, she brings a global perspective and appreciation for diverse artistic influences to her teaching. Tricia remains dedicated to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and professional growth in her students.

Courses Taught: Introduction to Digital Arts, Digital Graphic Arts I-II

Education: BA, Art Institute of Phoenix

Rembrandt Quiballo is a visual artist and educator based in Phoenix, Arizona. Born in Manila, Philippines, his family was compelled to immigrate to the United States due to social and political unrest. Quiballo’s practice centers on the moving image, which he utilizes to investigate the complex interplay between mass media and social and political history. His works have been exhibited nationally and internationally including Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Cairo and Berlin. Quiballo is the recipient of numerous awards, including the ASU GPSA Research Grant, Arizona Commission on the Arts Research and Development Grant, Nathan Cummings Travel Fellowship, and Contemporary Forum Emerging Artist Grant.

Courses Taught: Intro to Digital Photography, Intermediate Digital Photography, Digital Photo and Video, Advanced Digital Compositing, New Genres in Digital Photo

Education: BFA & BA, University of Arizona; MFA, Arizona State University

Geoff Reed is an adjunct professor of  photography at Phoenix Community College in the Phoenix Metro area. In the summer, he teaches International Study Abroad in the Czech Republic through Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

His company, Geoff Reed Photography, provides corporate, editorial, travel & adventure photographs of people on location for business and consumer publications.

Geoff has lived and traveled extensively in Asia, Europe, Africa and the United States, and is fluent in French. He is a life-long member of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), and a Board member of Through Each Others Eyes, a non-profit organization that encourages people around the world to understand diverse cultures through photography.

Courses Taught: Commercial and Portrait Photography

Education: BA (Photography), Brooks Institute of Photography; BA (Geology), University of Colorado - Boulder

David Walton Smith is a film director, photographer, and educator. His commercial work for Google, Volvo, adidas, Subaru, and more has earned Cannes Lion, Clio, ADDY, and Webby awards. He previously led creative for CNN’s brand studio, Courageous, and was Head of Film at Grow. He holds an MFA in Film & Television from SCAD.

He teaches Digital Photography at °µTV and is an adjunct in DePaul University’s film department; previously, he taught film production at Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC. He resides in Chicago, IL.

Courses Taught: Introduction to Digital Photography

Education: BA, University of South Carolina; MFA, Savannah College of Art and Design