When SwârtAd becomes SwârtEd
SwârtEd classes (currently taught at California State University Northridge in partnership with IBS Americas) are positioned as Design Education with Agency Perspective—because professional advertising and marketing experience informs our teaching. We highlight case studies from the award-winning SwârtAd portfolio, cover current trends, as well as examples of legendary creative communicators.
PEDAGOGY
SwârtEd's teaching philosophy consists of project-based learning and interdisciplinary integration. This enables students from a wide range of professions to apply advanced communication theories and techniques in their work. In our accelerated classes, students are encouraged to respond to the spirit of their times by thinking deeply, and executing quickly. By navigating nuance and ambiguity, they can arrive at a place of conceptual clarity.
STUDENTS
The international composition of our students underscores important values. Respecting individuality, leveraging commonalities, and fostering cross-cultural cooperation. We are grateful for all the curious and ambitious students we've taught, and for the support of enlightened college administrators. Our cohorts have included advertisers and marketers, brand and graphic designers, entrepreneurs, educators, filmmakers, engineers, IT professionals, journalists, lawyers, product designers, psychologists, social media managers, UX/UI designers, undergraduates, and graduate students.
INSTRUCTOR
Alex Swart, M.A., currently teaches accelerated executive certificate classes at Tseng College/CSUN in partnership with IBS Americas. He served as adjunct faculty at both California State University Los Angeles and California State University Northridge for over 15 years, and has guest lectured at UCLA, USC, and the University of São Paulo. He concurrently works as executive creative director at his eponymous agency, SwârtAd.
ALEX SWART—WE ARE SO FORTUNATE to have you as the curriculum developer and instructor!
—Jessica Isomoto, International Programs & Outreach Manager, California State University, Northridge
Communication, Design & Innnovation
This course module covers 360º branding, communication strategy, and creative execution. In the first week of CDI, students conceive a new business, product, or service. Then they learn how to position it in alignment with the current Zeitgeist. Student teams apply advertising's Creative Sequencing Method through concept development, visual storytelling, and message design to advance business objectives. Each week culminates with formal presentations of student projects.
14 or 28 hr modules consisting of lectures and studio workshops (practicum).
Project-based learning
Classes are comprised of lectures and studio and student presentations. On studio days, instructor Alex Swart shifts into his familiar role as Creative Director and students work as strategists, writers, designers and marketing managers as the class transforms into a creative agency.
Applied Design Thinking
& Storytelling
In this accelerated class the 5 classic Design Thinking steps are made tangible with an emphasis on Ideation. The class toggles between lectures covering precedent and current practices with a hands-on studio experience. Student teams learn how to orchestrate words and images in the service of an idea (Concept Development) that achieves business objectives. The class culminates in formal presentations of team projects.
14 or 28 hr modules consisting of lectures and studio workshops (practicum).
I GAINED A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE THE VALUE OF A BUSINESS to stakeholders, from both an executive and creative perspective. I’m especially grateful to Alex Swart for outstanding guidance, inspiration, and the knowledge he shared with us throughout the program.
— CDI student
Entertainment Advertising Design
In his career Alex Swart leverages convention + invention to create audience-attracting campaigns. He wrote Entertainment Advertising Design to teach students the artistic methods and professional mindset required for success in a competitive industry. Over a 15 year period, Swart evolved this theory and practicum class at Cal State LA and CSU Northridge while helping students build strong key art portfolios. Many subsequently secured positions in the entertainment and advertising industries.
Academic semester or quarter, or short-term accelerated module.
PROFESSOR SWART IS AN INVALUABLE ASSET to graphic design students at CSUN with his professional world knowledge and concern for students. I know all the skills I’ve learned in his class will help me in my career.
—CSUN Entertainment Advertising Design student
