Educator. Industry expert. Problem-solver. Author.
Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) Professor of Digital Media Design Neal Hettinger is all of the above.
On Dec. 11, 2024, Hettinger published his first textbook, “Modern Graphic Design with AI.”
After developing and creating curriculum and writing articles on graphic design, Hettinger determined an industry need for a functional publication incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into graphic design education. The result? Almost 300 pages of educational material — ready to be used in his classes and by students everywhere.
“This textbook fills a crucial gap by integrating AI, a transformative tool in graphic design, into the learning experience,” Hettinger said. “Seeing a concept come to life in print is incredibly rewarding. I’m excited that my book can be used as a teaching tool to educate graphic design students.”
Hettinger holds a Master of Arts degree in mass communications and a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic arts, with a minor in English. He has worked at design firms and advertising agencies in Los Angeles, Nashville, Oklahoma City, and Birmingham.
In 2006, Hettinger started his own graphic design firm that specializes in graphic marketing, visual websites, UX software, and UI workflow platforms. His list of clients includes Nissan Motors, Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, Adidas, Pioneer Electronics, UFC, and Adidas.
Hettinger’s teaching career at OCCC began in 2011. In 2020, he received the Outstanding Adjunct Professor award.
“That award meant a lot to me,” he said. “It was at the beginning of COVID, when many students were held up in apartments just wondering what was going to happen. Class was one of the few ways for the students to have human interaction, and we spent a lot of meaningful time on Zoom together.”
Hettinger also has been an adjunct professor at the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology for four years.
He credits Dr. Jennifer Woolston, OCCC dean of Arts, English and Humanities, with helping shape “Modern Graphic Design with AI.”
“Professor Hettinger’s work in integrating AI into graphic design education reflects OCCC’s commitment to innovation,” said Dr. Woolston. “His text not only supports our students’ growth but also contributes to the ongoing evolution of the industry, inspiring new ways of thinking about design.”
OCCC is committed to responsible AI integration in education, empowering students and faculty with the tools and knowledge to navigate an evolving digital landscape and future.
