Jennifer Thomas and Shawn Petersen are teachers at the Pacific Northwest College of Art Continuing Education program and co-founders of Study Partner. Although Study Partner's website is somewhat confusing about the organization's purpose, it seems to simply be about two designers trying to teach design in the most effective and engaging way possible.

Some of our favorite examples of new teaching efforts coming out of Study Partner's Idea Lab include:

The Mobile Teaching Studio, a converted airstream trailer that could roll "onto Main Street one summer evening, holding open enrollment for workshops? What if your typography course was held under a canopy of old growth redwoods rather than fluorescent lights? What if school wasn't a static place, but one that traveled where it was needed?"

TacType, physical versions of fonts that ask questions like, "What does Futura feel like? Can you draw the ear of a Baskerville g with your eyes closed? How does Clarendon taste?"

NOW: Notes on Design, a "series of booklets filled with lessons, examples, tips and exercises from professional designers that anyone can use to improve their design skills right away."