Flatiron School’s UX / UI Product Design Curriculum is designed by subject experts with real-world work experience.
Dr. Delminquoe Cunningham, a Senior Curriculum Developer, has 17 years of experience in the industry. He has held a variety of roles from UX Designer and Rendering Specialist to University Professor and Business Consultant. But, as a self-professed lifelong art lover, it’s all been part of the journey for him.
Dr. Cunningham shares his journey from Computer Animation to UX Design below.
Give me an overview of your experience – where did you start and how did you get where you are today?
I’ve always had a passion for art and design; it’s been a lifelong journey to learn all I can about these subjects. My fascination for math and science lead me to understand the balance between art, math, and science. Computers and art lead me to obtain a BFA in Computer Animation from the Art Institute of Atlanta. This degree led me to some of the leading companies for visual fx, animation, and game creation – NBC Universal, SCIfi, Krater, and Acclaim Games, to name a few.
After several years of honing my real-world skills in animation, I returned to the Art Institute as a teacher, ready to share what I’ve learned with a new generation. I moved from teaching to department chair; during this time, I completed a graduate degree in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. I also enjoyed a career as a corporate trainer, teaching business and design software to internal marketing teams and companies across the country.
My graduate degree led me to pursue a doctorate in Global Business and leadership. As it turns out, all of these different paths were leading me to User Experience.
Understanding the user has always been my number one goal, either in entertainment or business. I realized that, whatever the product may be, if the user’s experience is subpar, then there is no product to sell or distribute. Before joining Flatiron as a UX / UI Curriculum Developer for Product Design, I worked with Mitsubishi Electric Trane as a front-end developer and UX designer, working to develop new customer experiences for building automation systems.
I’ve always followed my interests and focused my studies accordingly.
What are some notable projects you’ve worked on?
Mitsubishi Electric Trane
Building Connect Plus
Role: Frontend Developer/UX Designer.
First Command Financial
Client-facing bank portal/ Internal bank-facing interfaces
Role User Experience Architect.
Do you have any advice for current or prospective Product Design students?
To any student looking for advice, mine is to be a lifelong student – always be curious, and look for the next trend in art and design.
Inspired by Dr. Cunningham’s career pivot story? Take the next step and Apply Now to our Product Design bootcamp or book a 10-minute chat with admissions to see how you can take charge of your future in as little as 15 weeks.
