#academy of art
Place a pen to paper and chances are you’ve experienced the impulse to draw a doodle—be it a stick figure, smiley face, or perhaps someone you saw on the train that morning. For some talented doodlers, that very impulse paid off, giving them the opportunity to share their imagination and talents on an international stage.
Academy of Art University BFA alumna Shiella Witanto was announced as the region winner for the Red Bull Doodle Art competition—a worldwide art competition inviting university students to submit their artwork and showcase their artistic talent. Among 47 winners, Witanto represents the West region of the United States.
With encouragement from Director of Illustration Chuck Pyle, Witanto submitted her doodle to the contest, which garnered 445 entries from regional universities. Her winning image featured a number of Witanto’s inspirations—an astronaut, steam engine train, and dragon.
(The winning doodle by Academy of Art University alumna Shiella Witanto)
“I wanted to cite some of my interests and inspirations—namely, the future and the past, as well as reality and fantasy—while trying to keep things whimsical,” she said. “It was meant to be rather spontaneous, but I was satisfied with the results.”
Her work will join the others in the Red Bull Global Virtual Reality Gallery hosted at Academy of Art University June 24 – June 25.
After traveling to the Academy at the age of 17 from her home in Indonesia, Witanto initially pursued a career in animation. Three semester later, she made the switch to the School of Illustration.
(Little Red Riding Hood by Academy alumna Shiella Witanto)
“I’ve always loved drawing since my childhood, but for a long time it was never a viable career option,” Witanto said. “I first started [at the Academy] in animation, but soon realized that the picture-making process was what I was in love with.”
(Kitchen Mayhem by Academy alumna Shiella Witanto)
Witanto, who graduated Spring 2017 from the School of Illustration, credits her growth at the Academy for her understanding of what it takes to succeed in a career as an illustrator.
“I had very little idea what an illustrator does or what it means to be an artist. Fast forward five years, I am now a proud alumna and I’ve learned so much,” she said. “I’ve grown not only in terms of technique, but also in my understanding of the field as a business as well as a creative process.”
(Legend of the Lunar Eclipse by Academy alumna Shiella Witanto)
The School of Illustration offers a curriculum that mixes advanced technology with classical training to equip students with the skills needed to meet the industry’s growing demand for traditional and digital media artists. The program provides a contemporary approach to techniques in drawing, composition, and storytelling. In addition, students obtain marketing and business tools that benefit artists as they go on to pursue their careers.
“Many people say that being an illustrator or an artist in general is easy, but they don’t know how much work goes into it,” Witanto said. “It may be a long, hard journey ahead, but at the end of the day, it’s such a privilege to be able to do what you love for a living. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
For more information about the upcoming Red Bull Global VR Gallery hosted at Academy of Art University, please visit our Facebook page. The gallery runs from June 24-25 at 79 New Montgomery Street in San Francisco.
View more of Witanto’s work by visiting her website at www.shiellawitanto.com.
(The winning doodle by Academy of Art University student Shiella Witanto)
Academy of Art University is proud to announce that School of Illustration student Shiella Witanto has been selected as the winner representing the West region of the United States in the Red Bull Doodle Art competition! In addition, 10 region finalists were recognized for their work, including Academy students Justin Oltesvig, Doug Edwards, Agustin Morael, and Laine Renfro.
Witanto joins region winners from 40 other countries from around the world who have been lauded for their artistic skills and imagination.
(West region finalist doodle submission by Academy student Justin Oltesvig)
(West region finalist doodle submission by Academy student Doug Edwards)
(West region finalist doodle submission by Academy student Agustin Morael)
(West region finalist doodle submission by Academy student Laine Renfro)
The Red Bull Doodle Art competition is a worldwide art competition inviting university students from across the globe to submit their artwork and showcase their artistic talent. Doodlers from each region will have their work exhibited in Red Bull Doodle Art’s Global Virtual Reality gallery.
Among all the entries for the contest, the Academy had the most student submissions compared to any other participating university in the U.S.
Congratulations to our talented Academy students for their success!
Take a look at Witanto’s work and other regional submissions by visiting here.
Congratulations to Academy of Art University alumna Yuqing “Max” Luo for debuting her first solo show at the Cannery Galleries! A recent MFA graduate from the School of Fine Art-Sculpture, Luo displayed her graduate thesis titled, “Border Lands.”
“I chose to come to Academy of Art University because its emphasis is on practical skills and its facilities are top-notch, and the faculty are very supportive,” Luo said.
As a graduate student, Luo valued the critiques from Academy faculty. By communicating closely with her instructors, she was able to refine her methods and apply it her work.
“The critique really helped me because I could talk about the creative process over and over,” she said. “Teachers helped me come up with conclusions.”
Luo found inspiration from her experience moving from one city to another. Growing up in central China, Luo moved to another city where people spoke a different language. The experience influenced the way she started to observe peoples’ behavior and how cultures influence individual perceptions of the world.
“One thing I learned is it is really important to try new things because you never know how much you can accomplish,” she said.
Learn more about what youcan accomplish by visiting us as www.academyart.edu. If you’re interested in learning about how you can get involved with the School of Fine Art and its programs, please visit us here.
At Academy of Art University, we are proud to be a part of the artistic journeys of our students. As they built their professional profiles and resumes propelling them into their respective industries, we celebrate their hard work each step of the way.
Congratulations to students from the School of Jewelry & Metal Arts for their recent awards and recognition! Check out a few of the award-winning pieces created by Academy students and alumni.
· Candy Hsinyu Chu (MFA), 7th International Wearable Expressions Juried Exhibition 2017; Accessories: First Place for “Northern Solstice Purse”
· Dale Beevers (MFA), 30th Annual International Cloissone Jewelry Contest; Selected for the award for the “Most Excellence” at the Japan Shippo Conference.
· Ziqin “Mash” Min (BA), Enamelist Society 2017 Student Juried Exhibition
· Yucen “Wavy” Tang (MFA), Niche Awards 2017; Winner in the Professional Category “Enamel Jewelry”
· Jizhi “Gigi” Li (MFA),Creative Quarterly Magazine’s “100 Best Annual 2016”; Selected piece came from Jizhi’s MFA thesis project, Perfectly Imperfect.
TONIGHT at 7PM - Watch our 2017 VR Summit LIVE as we explore the latest in #VRtechnologies:www.academyart.edu/vr
Academy of Art University is hosting its 2017 Virtual Reality Summit on April 20 at the 79 New Montgomery Theater. The evening will feature a panel of guest speakers comprised of industry experts, as well as premiere projects from students in the Academy’s virtual reality classes. The event is free and scheduled from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
The first 50 guests to arrive at the VR Summit will receive free cardboard VR Viewers provided by event sponsors.
“We are bringing all of the top people in the VR world to our school,” Executive Director of Immersive Technology James Egan said about last year’s VR Summit. “We want students to learn how VR can be an amazing job opportunity in various industries. This is a new world that is going to change every department.”
The VR Summit demonstrates the latest developments in immersive media. Last year’s VR Summit was joined by featured guests from VR companies Jaunt VR, Oculus, and Zeality. Panelists shared insights on the impact of VR in filming and production, as well as the creativity methodology changing the tech space. In addition, last year’s Summit premiered VR projects from the Academy’s advanced VR classes from the Fall semester.
“There is nothing to stop students from making the next VR masterpiece in a better way of doing something that no one else has figured out yet,” Andy Wood, production manager at Oculus Story Studio, said at the 2016 VR Summit panel. “Academy of Art has a lot of VR equipment that students have access to, and it’s exciting to see what students can do with that.”
For more information about the upcoming VR Summit, visit www.academyart.edu/vr.
· WHAT: VR Summit 2017
· WHERE: 79 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
· WHEN:Thursday, April 20 at 7-10PM.
· SCHEDULE:
o 7-8PM: Student and industry demos
o 8-9PM: Speakers
o 9-10PM: View VR work
· RSVPathttp://bit.ly/2onvJLN
Academy of Art University’s School of Acting is proud to announce the premiere of its production of Detroit, a new play by Lisa D’Amour. The play will be held at the Sutter Street Theater on April 14 through April 22 at 8:00 p.m. The event is free for Academy students, faculty, and staff. General admission is $15.
Detroittells the story of two couples, both at turning points in their lives, who find themselves suddenly living next door to each other. What they discover about each other and themselves over backyard BBQs and shared dreams leads to a surprising adventure.
The play premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in 2010 and subsequently ran off Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in Fall 2012. Detroitwas a finalist for the Pulitzer and Susan Smith Blackburn Prizes. It won the Obie Award for “Best New American Play” in 2013.
The play is directed by the Academy’s artistic director Clark Houston Lewis and features Academy students Greg Snyder, Renee Rogoff, Jessie Rankin, and Roman Reyes. In addition, the production includes guest artist William Davis.
Visit the School of Acting Facebook page for more details about the event and other productions coming up this year!
· WHAT: Academy of Art University’s School of Acting production of Detroit
· WHERE: Sutter Street Theater, 620 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102
· WHEN: April 14-22 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
· TICKETS: Free for Academy students, faculty, and staff. General tickets $15 at the door.
Congratulations to Academy of Art University alumna Alyce Tzue for signing on as the director for Lobo,an upcoming animated feature film based on the children’s book The Pup Who Cried Wolf by Chris Kurtz. Produced by Tokyo production company Ichigo Ichie Films, Lobofollows the story of a tiny Chihuahua with dreams of joining a wolf pack. According to Animation Magazine, the producers estimate the film will be released in 2019.
Alyce is a 2014 MFA graduate of the School of Animation & Visual Effects. Her 3D animated short film Soarwas met with much success across the festival circuit—winning the 2015 Gold Medal Student Academy Award, as well as first place for “Best Student Animation” at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. Soar was also a BAFTA Award finalist and recognized as “Best Animated Short” at the USA Film Festival.
“Alyce is the greatest,” said Tom Bertino, graduate director of the School of Animation and Visual Effects in an articleinAcademy Art U News. “Every member of the faculty had the same impression on first contact with her and with this project—that it was a beautiful project that had heart and soul and deserved all the support the Academy could give it, and also, that she would not be deterred.”
Read more about Alyce and her journey into 3D animation while at the Academy here.
It is time to get real about virtual reality. From film to game development, VR has tiptoed its way across industries, introducing a new wave of creativity nurtured by the growth of advanced technology. Created by the Schools of Motion Pictures & TelevisionandCommunications & Media Technologies, Academy of Art University’s VR program provides students the guidance and tools to unlock a storytelling experience that’s making its rounds across the entertainment industry.
“360 video production is the new frontier, representing a dramatic evolution of cinematic language,” Jack Perez, VR instructor and film director, said in an interviewwithAcademy Art U News. “Both filmmakers and audiences are suddenly ravenous for this heightened level of immersion. We want our students to ride the crest of this new wave.”
In addition to offering VR classes, the Academy brings students closer to the VR world by engaging them with professionals in the field. In December 2016, Academy of Art University hosted its second VR Summit to demonstrate the latest technologies and practices emerging in the industry. The summit featured a panel of guest speakers from leading companies such as Jaunt, Oculus VR, and Zeality, and premiered projects created by advanced VR students.
“There is nothing to stop students from making the next VR masterpiece in a better way of doing something that no one else has figured out yet,” Andy Wood, production manager at Oculus Story Studio, said at the VR Summit. “Academy of Art University has a lot of VR equipment that students have access to, and it’s exciting to see what students can do with that.”
As the Academy continues to bring students closer to more immersive media, graduates university have already earned recognition for their work in the tech space. In September 2016, Oculus Story Studio announced its short VR film Henryhad won an Emmy award for “Outstanding Original Interactive Program.” Directed by Pixar veteran Ramirio Lopez Dau, Henry tells the story of a lonely hedgehog who throws himself a birthday party. The film proves there is emotional connection fostered in VR that is different from what users experience when they watch movies or TV. Among the Academy alumni who worked on Henryare Alyce Tzue (‘14, MFA), Bruna Berford ('14, BFA), Kyle Remus ('15, BFA), Moe Myint Htet ('13, BFA), Beibei Gu ('14, BFA), and Sophie Evans ('15, BFA).
We spoke with Berford and Gu about their work on Henryand how their time learning at the Academy shaped them for the professional world!
ArtU: What were your role and responsibilities in supporting the production of Henry?
Bruna Berford ('14, BFA): I joined Oculus Story Studio back on January 2015, to work as an Animator on Henry. As part of the role, I tested the rigs, explored character personality doing quick animation tests, helped translate the 2D animatic into a VR layout and animated long sequences of the main character Henry.
Beibei Gu ('14, BFA): I worked as a Surfacing Artist on Henry. I was introduced to the team by the lovely director of Soar Alyce Tzue, who’s also a good friend of mine. I worked on the project for roughly three months. My main responsibility was UV mapping and painting texture maps, then apply them to the character and environment in Unreal Engine.
ArtU: How did your experience at the Academy of Art University prepare you for the work demands of Henry?
BB:Taking the Pixar classes at the Academy for two straight years was fundamental to me, as they prepared me to face a real top quality animation environment—[giving me the chance to] receive critiques and to take my work to a higher level, focusing on my ideas and performance and not only the physicality part of animation. The transition from being a student to being a professional animator was smoother.
Also, being part of collaborative projects at the Academy helped me improve what I consider to be the basic foundation of professionalism: to be part of a team, to communicate well with my co-workers, to follow deadlines, to be responsible for what I do and organized on a working environment.
BG:I have to say Academy of Art University was the start of it all. StudioX was the reason why I got to where I am today, and Derek Flood was the person who recognized my talent and shaped it into the skill set that got me all these amazing opportunities.
I want to let anyone who’s considering joining StudioX at the Academy right now know how lucky you guys are, and don’t ever let that chance go. The projects you’ll be working on right now might seem so insignificant, the experience could get frustrating and make you doubt if it’s worth your time, but stick it out, you won’t regret it. Without the two years I spent in StudioX, I’d never got the chance to work with Oculus Story Studio.
ArtU: How does this Emmy win impact the conversation surrounding the VR experience?
BB:Storytelling in VR is in its infancy and having this recognition, that we can indeed create an emotional connection with a virtual character and transport the viewer to another world, is groundbreaking. This Emmy puts VR storytelling on the map and shows the world that this is just the beginning. It encourages other VR storytellers to explore and push the boundaries of entertainment, and that is huge.
BG:VR has been a major topic throughout the last couple years. With the Emmy win, I definitely got asked a lot of questions about what exactly is Henry. So even though VR was already a popular uprising topic before, it has certainly raised more curiosity among people who usually don’t play much attention to CG or technology.
Learn about how you can get involved with the Academy’s Schools of Motion Pictures & TelevisionandCommunications & Media Technologies!
Photo: Wall of art high school in Beijing featuring the school’s mission statement, “The unity of form and spirit, the study and practice of methods and principles.”
Academy of Art University welcomes students from all over the globe! Since early March, Chief Academic Officer of Education Services Sue Rowley has been traveling throughout China encouraging students to continue their education in art and design. Whether from Beijing or San Francisco, the Academy is proud to open its arms to students with a creative passion and desire to better themselves as artists of the future.
Find more information about our programs by visiting www.academyart.edu.
Academy of Art University is proud to congratulate its list of alumni who are part of crews for Oscar-nominated films this year—including Borrowed Time, Doctor Strange, Silence, Moana, Suicide Squad, and more!
The journey from classroom to international awards stage is made possible by the Academy’s specialized schools in art and design. With educational backgrounds from the School of Animation & Visual Effects,School of Motion Pictures & Television,School of Illustration, and School of Photography, our alumni have made outstanding industry contributions achieving critical acclaim.
See the full list of Academy alumni recognized for their success in the film industry below! Be sure to tune in for the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 PST!
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Natapon Huangsakuncharoen (’09; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Senior Creature TD
Industrial Light and Magic
Borrowed Time
Charlie Ramos (’91; School of Illustration)
Layout Artist
Pixar Animation Studios
Doctor Strange
Yunmi Ahn (’04; School of Animation & Visual Effects
Sr. Roto Artist
Method Studios
Maragot Bodharamik (’07; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Animator
Industrial Light and Magic
Joseph Cavanaugh (’03; Computer Arts)
Head of FX Council
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Chih-Wen Huang (’15; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Model/Texture Artist
Luma Pictures
Nicholas Kim (’04; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Compositor
Method Studios
Heath Kraynak (’91; School of Advertising)
Senior Compositor
Industrial Light and Magic
Ryan Lang (’09; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Concept Artist
Marvel Studios
Kyoungsoo Min (’14; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Hard Surface Model/Texture Artist
Luma Pictures
Mohammad Modarres (’14; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Model/Texture Artist
Luma Pictures
Dan Nguyen (’14; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Roto/Paint Artist
Luma Pictures
Rebekah Noulles (’10; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
VFX Production
Industrial Light and Magic
Mauricio Valderrama(’08)
Senior Compositor
Method Studios
Evan Wen (’12; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Compositor
Method Studios
Mingquan Zhou (’12; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Character TD
Method Studios
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Brandon Blevins (’11; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Senior Compositor
Rodeo FX
Soomin Chon (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
FX TD / Artist
MPC
Brooke Dibble (’12; School of Illustration)
Assistant Modeller - Props Modelling
Warner Bros
Hacksaw Ridge
Mario Pace (’14; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Matte Painter
Lindeman and Associated
Hail Caesar
Karl Burian (’11; School of Motion Pictures & Television)
Feature Film Assembly Editor
Universal Pictures
Hell or High Water
David Kim (School of Motion Pictures & Television)
VFX Producer
Vitality VFX
Kubo and the Two Strings
Gentry Davidson (’12; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Digital Paint Artist
Laika, Inc
Matthew Ellsworth(’09)
Facial Animator
Laika, Inc
Daria Eremina (School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Jr. RP Rigger
Laika, Inc
Tina T Hsu (’09; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Rapid Prototyping QA
Laika, Inc
Dhanad Islam (’14; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Junior CG Modeler
Laika, Inc
Ovi Nedelcu (’99; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Story Artist
Laika, Inc
Desiree Ong ‘(13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Art Department - Production Assistant
Laika, Inc
Tarek Saleh (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Stereo Pain Artist
Laika, Inc
Moana
Sungjoon Bae (’15; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Lighting and Compositing Artist
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Youngjae Choi (’02; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Animator
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Serry DeLorme (’05; School of Illustration)
Senior Toy Designer
Jakks Pacific
Ryan Lang (’09; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Visual Development Artist
Sony Pictures Animation
Benjamin Min Huang (’03; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Senior Look Dev and Lighting
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Joey Ramos (’04; School of Illustration)
Sr. Designer
Jakks Pacific
Joey Shen (’04; School of Illustration)
Senior Toy Designer
Jakks Pacific
Richard Van Cleave (’05; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Character TD
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Shaofu Zhang (’10; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Animator
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Passengers
Eva Kristjans (’09; School of Illustration)
DMP Artist
MPC
Vijay Selvam (’02; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Lead Compositor
MPC
Piper
Charlie Ramos (’91; School of Illustration)
Layout Artist
Pixar Animation Studios
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Maragot Bodharamik (’07; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Animator
Industrial Light and Magic
Cynthia Crimmins (’01; Computer Arts)
Line Producer/Production Manager
Industrial Light and Magic
Bridget Dash (’07; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Recruiter
Industrial Light and Magic
Ellery Ortiz (’03; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Sr. Matchmove/Layout Artist
Industrial Light and Magic
Tzuen Wu (’05; School of Photography)
Senior Compositor
Industrial Light and Magic
Silence
Karl Burian (’11; School of Motion Pictures & Television)
Associate Producer
Motive Creative
Phoenix Lee (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Freelance FX Technical Director
Post Mango
Star Trek Beyond
George Antz (’06; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Previs/Postvis Lead
Paramount
Matthew Boston (’96; Computer Arts)
Animator
Double Negative
Daniel Giron (’14; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
3D Environment Artist
Atomic Fiction
Ingo Gudmundsson (’10; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Previs Artist
Proof Inc
Chen Kuang Hsu (’14; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Matchmove Artist
Atomic Fiction
Chih-Wen Huang (’15; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
CG General Artist
Prologue
Melissa Huerta (’04; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Roto/Paint Artist
Kelvin Optical/Bad Robot
Lea Antonette Irianda (’15; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Production Assistant
Atomic Fiction
Byunggun Jung (’00; Computer Arts)
Senior Lighting TD
Double Negative
Jeff Kim (’05; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Senior/Lead Animator
Double Negative
Chen Kuang Hsu (’14; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Matchmovie Artist
Atomic Fiction
Dan Kunz (’02; School of Fine Art)
Capture Supervisor
Double Negative
Jaymie Lam (’03; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Compositor
Double Negative
Patrick Louie (’10; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Compositor
Atomic Fiction
Evangeline Torres (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Junior Compositor
Atomic Fiction
Shaun Tsou (’15; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Compositor
Atomic Fiction
Suicide Squad
Teddy Cheong (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Compositor
MPC
Soomin Chon (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
FX/TD Artist
MPC
Khizer Diwan (’11; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
3D Digital Matte Painter
MPC
Namjin Heo (’12; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Digital Compositor
MPC
Seung Hoo Ihm (’08; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Senior Character Animator
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Nadezda Kuzmina (’10; School of Illustration)
Concept Artist
MPC
Amanda Pamela (’07; School Animation & Visual Effects)
Senior Compositor
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Foram Pardiwala (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Digital Compositor
MPC
Ryan Saper (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Modeler
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Barbaros Sarisozen (’11; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Modeler
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Ali Tezel (’06; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Senior Layout TD/Artist
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Robby Wong (’09; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Layout
MPC
Sully
Soomin Chon (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
FX TD / Artist
MPC
Vijay Selvam (’02; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Lead Compositor
MPC
The Jungle Book
Gak Gyu Choi (’10; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Modeler
Weta Digital
Eva Kristjans (’09; School of Illustration)
DMP Artist
MPC
Dan Kunz (’02; School of Fine Art)
Motion Editor/ Anmiator
Weta Digital
Andrew Leung (’02; School of Illustration)
Concept Artist
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Vijay Selvam (’02; School of Animation)
Lead Compositor
MPC
Roland Yepez (School of Animation)
Senior Animator
Weta Digital
Trolls
Minyu Chang (’02; School of Animation)
Senior CG Modeler
Dreamworks
Charles Ellison (’04; Computer Arts)
Head of Modeling
Dreamworks
Jonathan Gomez (’07; School of Animation)
3D Modeler
Dreamworks
George Ho (’97; Computer Arts)
Lighter
Dreamworks
Patrick Johnson (’08; School of Animation)
Assistant to Producer
Dreamworks
Anthony Meschi (’08; School of Visual Development)
Stereoscopic Compositor
Dreamworks
Brian Missey (’08; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Lead Character FX Artist
Dreamworks
Andrea Pun (’03; Computer Arts)
Senior Surfacing Artist
Dreamworks
Scott Raymond (’07; School of Visual Development)
Character Cycle Animator
Dreamworks
Ann Sidenblad (’03; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
3D Modeler
Dreamworks
Nikhil Sinha (’11; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Image Finaling Lead
Dreamworks
Zootopia
Katie Amanek (’11; School of Photography)
Production Office Manager
Walt Disney Animation Studios
DJ Byun (’10; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Effects Animator
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Youngjae Choi (’02; Computer Arts)
Animator
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Christopher Erickson (’13; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Lighting Artist
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Benjamin Min Huang (’03; Computer Arts)
Look Development Supervisor
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Hiraoki Narita (’10; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Effects Artist
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Richard Van Cleave (’05; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Character TD
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Ryan Winch (’12; School of Illustration)
Character Designer
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Shaofu Zhang (’10; School of Animation & Visual Effects)
Animator
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Since debuting her designs at Academy of Art University’s 2016 Spring Show, alumna Deema Hefzi has already crafted a name for herself that’s being heard throughout the jewelry industry. Hefzi, who earned her BFA from the School of Jewelry & Metal Arts, recently had her designs featuredinVogue Arabia, where she discussed her inspiration, process, and what’s next on her journey as a designer.
“My goal is to create wearable works of art that get passed on from [one] generation to the next,” Hefzi said in an interview with VogueArabia.
Often working with crystals, she begins her design process by creating a series of rough sketches before sharing with clients for feedback and approval. From there, Hefzi spends 1-2 months crafting the jewelry pieces.
“I enjoy mixing raw and refined, geometric and organic, as these polar opposites mean a lot to me. It resembles the struggles of our wants and our needs and the strive for a perfect balance,” she said on her website.
In addition to incorporating her Arab heritage into her designs and style, Hefzi pulls inspiration from the powerful women in her life. Describing her mother as “a trailblazer in every sense,” Hefzi hopes those who wear her jewelry recognize a strength and power in them.
“I collect all my inspiration images through my daily life encounters, like engaging with powerful women, fashion, crystal healing, fine art, marine biology, protection gear, interior design, and art history,” she said.
Hefzi is already building a strong client roster featuring big names such as Alicia Keys and His Highness Prince Fahad Al Saud. In the future, she hopes her designs will be featured in landmarks or airports in Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf, and the Middle East.
View more of Hefzi’s work at her website www.DeemaHefzi.com and follow her on Instagram @deema.m.7.
Learn about how you can get involved with the Academy’s School of Jewelry & Metal Arts and begin your creative journey today!
Show us what the Year of the Rooster and Chinese Lunar New Year celebration means to you! Submit your sketches, paintings, sculptures, and other forms of artwork for a chance to win a VIP ticket to attend the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade from the exclusive viewing tent at the finale of the parade route, as well as a limited edition custom Academy sweatshirt commemorating the Year of the Rooster!
To qualify:
1) Like Academy of Art University’s Facebook Page
2) Tag Academy of Art University in your Facebook post before February 7th
3) Use the hashtag #ArtUCNY2017
Submissions will added to our #ArtUCNY2017 Design Challenge photo album and the submission with the most likes wins! Happy Chinese New Year!!
For more about the Academy’s participation in San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, check out: www.academyart.edu/CNY
*Travel is at winners own expense
Academy of Art University 2017 Year of the Rooster float for the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco.
(Source: Bob Toy, Academy of Art University)
Academy of Art University is proud to celebrate the Year of the Rooster with an outstanding student collaboration honoring the tenth Chinese zodiac sign and its emphasis on perfectionism and loyalty. The Academy has been a long-time sponsor and participant in the Chinese New Year parade, giving students the opportunity to be a part of this popular event which is the largest of its kind outside of Asia.
The parade will feature an array of vibrant floats, costumes, firecrackers, and guest appearances representing the arts and cultural aspects of San Francisco and the Chinese community. Among many notable student contributions—including costumed performers from the Academy’s School of Acting and sculptures from the School of Fine Art-Sculpture—the float includes original music composed entirely by Jia Shi, who is studying for her MFA in the School of Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media.
“I feel like music is really a tool that can help people [reach a] healthy, better life,” Shi said.
Shi spent two weeks creating the music for the Academy’s float that will appear during the Chinese New Year parade. She heard about the opportunity from her friend and fellow Academy alumnus Jason Kuo, who composed the music for the university’s Year of the Monkey float.
“Jason was working a lot with me last year for the Year of the Monkey,” Bob Toy, publications and special events project manager at the Academy, said. “He was using hip-hop and Chinese music, but the Rooster is something I want to be more traditional. I really want instruments that we can identify as Chinese instruments.”
Emphasizing more percussion and other traditional Chinese instruments, Shi composed a song expressing symbolism of the Year of the Rooster. Guided by their instincts and commitment, roosters are said to be very observant, sociable, and highly motivated. Shi captured the spirit of the rooster by incorporating elements representing the zodiac sign’s luck, determination, and success. With 10 tracks of percussion instruments, Shi’s song flows through the rooster in battle and its pathway toward success.
“The rooster does not only stand for luck, but also there’s a kind of rooster that gets to be the victor,” Shi said. “I expressed more of that kind of spirit.”
The float will appear at the Chinese New Year parade on Feb. 11. The Academy has been recognized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce with the Most Artistic Float Award each year since 2014.
The Academy salutes the Year of the Rooster and is proud to continue their tradition of commemorating a new year with the San Francisco community.
Spring semester is right around the corner and we have the tips on how you can jumpstart your time at Academy of Art University on a path toward success! Check out what you can do to put your best foot forward right at the beginning of 2017.
- Join us for Welcome Week: You will have an opportunity to meet your peers and our department directors, and find out how to best prepare for a successful semester. Keep an eye out for the schedule and get excited to tour San Francisco, meet other new students, and enjoy parties and a BBQ throughout the week.
- Familiarize yourself with your creative campus: Get acquainted with the campus shuttle map and schedule, get involved in campus life, and tour the city. Plus, check out 100 things to do in San Francisco.
- Get Financially Fit: Obtain an Academy of Art University Card to help manage your refunds. Reach out to our Financial Aid team with any questions you may have.
- Introduce yourself to the Academy Resource Center: We’re here to help! Sign up for free tutoring, academic coaching, writing assistance, English as a Second Language support, and a wealth of other services to help you succeed.
Need more information on how you can do your best to prepare for this next chapter of your life? Visit here!
(Printed version of Academy alumnus Johnny Selman’s thesis project BBCx365. Source: www.79nm.com)
Congratulations to Academy of Art University alumnus Johnny Selman for his work featured on The New York Times list of notable art for 2016!
Selman graduated with his MFA from the School of Graphic Design in 2011. In addition to starting the New York-based Selman Design creative studio in 2013, he is a regular contributor to The New York Times and regularly has his editorial illustrations appear in sections of the paper.
For his thesis at the Academy, Selman showcased his BBCx365 project. The project included Selman ripping a page from the news every day for a year to create topical illustrations. BBCx365 earned Selman international recognition and an assignment for The New York Times Sunday Book Review section.
““This project became the constant in my life,” Selman said in an interview with the School of Graphic Design blog www.79nm.com. “Through sickness, vacation, injury, work and even a houseboat bachelor party—the daily design ritual was there like a backbone.”
After graduation, Selman held positions at Wolff Olins and Google Creative Lab before assembling a team of designers and producers at Selman Design.
View some of Selman’s work on his website and follow Selman Design on Instagram @selmandesign.
Learn more about the Academy’s exciting Graphic Design programs and what our students are up to by visiting the Graphic Design blog.
(Source: Academy of Art 2012 Spring Show)
Congratulations to Academy of Art University graduate Sha Yao whose work is featured on TIMEMagazine’s unranked list of the “25 Best Inventions of 2016”!
Yao, who graduated with an MFA from the Academy’s School of Industrial Design in 2012, gained recognition for her Eatwell Assistive Tableware—a dining set designed specifically for people with cognitive impairments.
Inspiration for the invention came after Yao’s late grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Wanting to better understand the disease, Yao volunteered at adult day care centers and interviewed caregivers. It was then that Yao discovered eating was one of the most challenging activities for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Like her grandmother, Yao noticed many people with cognitive and sensory impairments struggled to eat, often hindered by common accidents such as spilled food and tipped cups.
“For many families, meals are a time for sharing and reconnecting, and enjoying each other’s company,” Yao said on her website. “When the disease affects one member of a family, the mealtime experience can become stressful and challenges are created for both caregivers and their loved ones.”
Through intense research, mock ups, and revised models implementing professional feedback, Yao designed a product dedicated to improving the mealtime experience for those who struggle daily.
For more information about Eatwell and Yao’s story, visit www.eatwellset.com.
