Faculty
- Industry expert teachers
- Up-to-date course content
Our Graphic Design curriculum integrates the roles of designer, artist and entrepreneur.
Guided by faculty members who are noted professionals in their fields, students develop sophisticated typographic and image-making skills working across both emerging and traditional media to create emotionally resonant messages. FTC Northern’s Graphic Design program has assigned faculty directors for each area of emphasis, from transmedia to typography, allowing students to expand their creative skillset in an integrative environment that crosses all media. Additionally, our department features one of the College’s largest core of full-time faculty and one of the largest part-time faculty teams, all of whom are currently working as creative professionals.
Program Director
Lilian Li
Graphic Design / Photography
Lilian Li is a graphic designer, photographer, and educator with international experience in visual communication. She holds an MFA in Photography and Visual Design from NABA, Milan, and a BFA in Graphic Design from IED. At Fei Tian College Northern Campus, she teaches courses such as Typography, Brand Identity, Motion Graphics, and Web Design. With a strong background in both print and digital media, Lilian brings practical insight into the classroom, helping students build solid design foundations and prepare for real-world creative careers.
Courses
Computer Graphic
Design Studio II
Print production
Typography II
Brand Identity of Design
UI/UX design
Associate professor
Dan Pelonis
Oil Painting
Trained at the New York Academy of Art, he brings deep expertise in both classical and contemporary painting techniques. His teaching focuses on materials, composition, and traditional methods such as alla prima and indirect painting. As a practicing artist, Pelonis has exhibited internationally and worked with renowned studios including Jeff Koons Studio.
Courses
Perspective A
Beginner Painting
Drawing I
Composition Theory
Instructor
Vivian Liu
Graphic Design
Vivian Liu, with a major in Graphic Design, boasts over ten years of professional experience in the industry. She has provided design services to a range of well-known companies across Asia and North America. Passionate about teaching, she incorporates real-world examples into her lectures to help students understand design principles and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. She is dedicated to preparing students with both the creative and practical abilities needed for a successful career in design.
Courses
Visual Literacy I
Visual Literacy II
Design Studio I
Typography I
Typography III
Advertising Design
Instructor
Hongshu Guo
Motion Graphic Design
Hongshu is a motion designer and educator with over a decade of industry experience. He is the founder of Motion Circles, a community-first motion design education platform, and a top Skillshare teacher. He has created motion content for global brands such as Adidas, PayPal, 7-Eleven, and Unilever, working with top agencies like Oliver and Publicis. At Fei Tian College, he teaches Motion Graphics, blending technical skill with real-world insight to prepare students for careers in animation and digital media.
Courses
Motion graphic I
Motion graphic II
Associate professor
Tanya Harrison
Art theory
Specializing in the intersection of psychology and design. With a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and extensive clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, she brings a deep understanding of human behavior into the classroom. Her course in Design Psychology helps students explore how perception, emotion, and cognition influence visual communication and user experience.
Courses
Graphic Design Psychology
Instructor
BILL TSE
Photographer / Videographer
Seasoned photographer and videographer with over two decades of experience. Expert in setting up and operating equipment, video editing, and effects application. Excellent organizational skills, time management abilities, and a dedicated approach to realizing a cohesive vision for every project.
Courses
Photography
Video production
Associate professor
Bradley McDuffie
Literary Scholar
Bradley McDuffie is a scholar of literature and film, currently teaching courses in cinema and film history. He is the author of Teaching Salinger’s Nine Stories, a critically praised work that offers a forensically detailed and thought-provoking analysis of J.D. Salinger’s iconic short story collection. McDuffie’s research highlights the interconnectedness of narrative and visual storytelling, and his teaching bridges literary analysis with cinematic technique, encouraging students to explore how story, structure, and character operate across both written and visual media.
Courses
History of Cinema and Video
Instructor
Sand Zhu
Computer science
Mr. Zhu possesses years of experience in working and industry within the realms of website development and SEO. He has held positions at various software corporations and prestigious training institutions. His areas of expertise include programming, quick website building, front-end technology, and website optimization. He has developed more than dozens of websites for customers and enterprises. He has published many technical articles and videos, accumulating over two million views. Mr. Zhu’s practical experience and extensive skill set make him an indispensable resource for students pursuing careers in web design, front-end development, and related fields.
Courses
Web design coding