Instructor Spotlight: Bill Mead
A Pioneer in Web Design
Bill Mead, M.Ed., started building websites in the mid-1990s…way back when the internet was just beginning to dip its toe into everyday life. “I saw the web—and web design—as an amazing field with lots of opportunity for expression, even in the very early years,” he said.
In 2007, after more than a decade of web design and development professional experience, Mead transitioned to teaching. He established and ran the media arts program at Boston Arts Academy, a public high school for the arts, recognized nationally for its innovative, student-centered curriculum. Since his move to the West Coast, Mead has taught web design and development classes at Art Institute of California - Sacramento, American River College and UC Davis.
More from Our Interview
Why do you teach?
Education is not just about learning—it’s about an attitude toward life—and I enjoy being part of that for students trying to figure out what they are going to do in the world.
How would a student describe your teaching style?
My teaching style tends to be very hands-on and example-driven. Like any craft, you get better with practice, so I develop lessons that encourage students to practice techniques and explore ideas.
How can learning web design and UI/UX positively impact a student’s career?
The web is at the heart of almost everything we do today. Design is what makes it usable. This is one of the fields that is going to drive the economy for the next 50 years.
Can you describe a time when, as a teacher, you had an impact on a student’s life?
The most rewarding professional experiences for me happen when students get jobs and begin exciting careers in the design and development fields. I have helped dozens of students get started, and it is always so great to see them continue to grow in their careers and find a path that is meaningful and rewarding for them.