We currently have the following instructors available:

Stephanie Gans is an Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI) with extensive experience teaching corporate and private clients. She holds a California Designated Subjects Vocational Education Teaching Credential, a BPPVE Certificate, and has experience teaching at the college and high school level. Software Skills: Macintosh hardware and Macintosh O/S (v.6.07 through OSX Tiger), Windows OS, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple iLife Suite (iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes, iWeb, Garageband), Apple Pages, Apple Keynote, Appleworks, Corel Painter, HTML, QuickBooks, Quicken, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Freehand, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Netscape, QuarkXpress.

Stephanie is originally from New York, where she obtained a B.A. in Psychology from Skidmore College. Having learned her computer and design skills in her adulthood has been of great benefit to her teaching methodology, by enabling her to teach difficult technical concepts, using plain, understandable English. She is dedicated to providing her students with the ability to utilize the computer as a tool to fulfill their needs now, and in the future.

Through her consulting firm, About Your Macintosh..., she has instructed and advised clients (including Comp USA, The Getty Trust, and Washington Mutual, among others) fulfilling their software, hardware, design and educational needs. She is also a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

Born and raised in New York City, Steve has been working as a Corporate Trainer for 18 years. Before getting into computes, Steve was a Credit Card Fraud Investigator for banks issuing Visa and Master Card. With a strong background in training, Steve brings a lot into the classroom. He is well versed in Microsoft’s operating systems 2000 & XP as well as Microsoft Office Suite versions 2000, XP, 2003 and 2007. Other programs in his repertoire include MS Project, MS Visio, Lotus Notes, MS Publisher, Act, New Hire Technology Training and Proprietary software. Some of Steve's previous clients include U.S. Navy and Marines, IRS, Federal Reserve Bank as well as U.S.C. and U.C.L.A.  He has also been awarded Catapult Software Training - Instructor of the Quarter - 1st Quarter 2000, 2nd Quarter 1999 and 3rd Quarter 1997.

After graduating with a degree in Design from the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Tan taught graphics courses there for five years, ranging from "Introduction to Computers in Design" and "Web Theory" to "3-D Modeling and the Narrative of Place." Since moving to Los Angeles, she has continued training students at ORT Technical Institute, the Multimedia Institute, and now Digital Design, LA. Tan is certified to teach by the Bureau for Private Post secondary and Vocational Education, and is proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Quark, Flash, Director, Dreamweaver, HTML and, most recently, After Effects and Final Cut Pro. She also continues to work as a graphic and web designer with clients such as Science Adventures, Jakks Pacific, and UK-based Alphameric.

In addition to be a Creative Director and Marketing Consultant and Manager for such clients as Capitol Records, Geffen Records, Sony Music, Stan has also been a certified instructor for Comp Usa, DDLA and other training companies in Los Angeles.  He has been a design consultant for a multitude of companies including Kitchen and Bath Specialists, Modern Entertainment Group, M. Rose Sportswear, Hilltop Productions.  His knowledge of Flash animation and, Photoshop as well as many other graphic applications from Illustrator to Quark, is not only educational but practical.  Stan strives to make sure that students understand not only "how to" use the current graphics software, but how to apply the applications in their daily workload.

Barbara obtained her B.A. (Drama/English with an emphasis in Teaching) from San Diego State University. Barbara has worked for several major entertainment companies in including FOX, COX Cable, and Warner Bros. before starting her own company, Digital Design LA, Inc. She has worked in a multitude of sales, training and marketing capacities within the entertainment technology industry including Systems Analyst, Project Manager, Network Administrator, MIS Manager and Web Designer for over 15 years. Barbara has the background, technical skill and business development knowledge to manage the company as well as offer extensive training and technical advice within all areas of the company. Barbara is an excellent Trainer who is able to translate technical information with ease to her students, all the while maintaining a creative enthusiasm and flare for making sure the students are able to increase their productivity after well beyond the training session. She treats her clients with respect and honesty and will go the extra mile to make sure that every training is a success. She is very patient with Executives and sensitive learners. Barbara has passed the CBEST, and is a member of NAFE (Nat. Assoc of Female Executives), she is graduate of the Management Action Program (MAP), Landmark Education's Self Expression and Leadership program (SELP), and is an accredited Novell Network Administrator.

Braeden Marcott has been an established Microsoft Office trainer for the past two years. His incredible speaking voice and pleasant demeanor make learning exciting and memorable. His skills go beyond simply teaching the application, he really cares about his students and makes sure that they feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. His special expertise in teaching all levels of Excel from a practical standpoint, has made him one of our most requested trainers. He has studied with several Microsoft certified trainers and mastered their techniques. He also enjoys working with beginners.

Vanessa Newsome is a premier software instructor as it relates to all facets of the design industry. She studied fashion design and visual communications in San Francisco, California.

Her 15 year background encompasses professional and freelance experience in graphic design, fashion illustration, visual communications, styling and trend forecaster.

anessa’s professional design career has afforded extensive travel to many US and European locations and her Los Angeles based company’s client list includes: Guess Inc., Bebe Stores, Ron Herman, XOXO and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). She has authored several books for clients with special emphasis on the software programs Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

“The reward of teaching is giving students the abilities to command their computerized creativity.”-VN

Sandor is a system designer and trainer with over 20 years experience in the industry. His experiences include office system LAN, WAN and telephony design, integration and training. As a certified Sun instructor and a Linux courseware author, Sandor brings the practical and technical together in a comfortable, rewarding learning environment. SUN Administration, Linux Administration, AIX Administration

Russell Towne is a former Air Force Officer and Veteran of Desert Storm. He has a BA in Computer Science from Boston University, and holds numerous certifications. He has been a trainer/instructor for over 11 years. He has developed curriculum for many companies and organizations, including Comp USA, Los Angeles County, 20th Century Fox Studios, and Toyota of North America. He has also developed applications, training, and provides tech support for numerous non-profit organizations including The Company of Angels Theatre, and the Camp Laurel Foundation. Russell has expert knowledge in many software packages, including Windows (All Versions 3.0 - XP Pro), Microsoft Office and Outlook (All Versions 97-2003), MS FrontPage, MS Publisher, MS Visio, Macromedia Dreamweaver, HTML, JavaScript, VB Script, Visual Basic, Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling, as well as many proprietary applications. Russell is an Actor/Comedian and has taught Comedy Traffic School for over 9 years. He brings the same enthusiasm and attitude to every class he teaches, allowing him to keep his classes highly entertaining as well as informative, no matter how dry the topic. He has found that this provides for a higher level of retention for students of all levels.

Trent has been involved with computers and training since 1987. He is known for using his sense of humor in the classroom environment, where he makes learning fun and entertaining. He was in the U. S. Navy for 7 ½ years where he served as a technician and computer administrator. He ran a computer consulting company for 10 years where he did networking, hardware & software troubleshooting, and training. He also worked as a Manager of Education where he organized and developed training for over 30,000 Realtors. He has taught hardware courses like hardware repair, A +, and Net + and numerous software programs like DOS, Windows, MS Office, etc. He has taught a wide variety of students; everything from private training, to Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, and College level courses. He is A+ Certified and a State of California Certified Instructor.