I am an Instructional Support Technician and Instructor in the Department of Art at the University at Buffalo in the areas of Graphic Design and Art & Technology. I provide graphic design, photography, training and consultation through Licata Design. I received an Ed.M. in Education and Technology from UB in 2008.
My personal art practice has it’s roots in traditional photography, inspired by Edward Weston and Walker Evans, among many others. For me, photography is a meditative process of mindful observation and contemplation of natural and man-made environments, often using metaphor and ironic comparisons as a means to encourage the mindfulness of others.
As an educator and researcher, I’m interested in finding meaning at the intersection of visual rhetoric and semiotics in a postmodern age. I am curious about how the creation and consumption of digital media effects cognitive development, and how the design student can be best guided to become a creative and critical thinker.
At UB, I maintain an environment that facilitates collaborative art- and design-making and constructive learning experiences. I teach several courses which I have developed, including Introduction to Digital Art, Web Design, and 2D Animation.
You may view the details of my University service, leadership, and community engagement on my CV.