Education
Bachelor of Arts | Film & Video (Animation) | 2008
Columbia College Chicago
Graduated with Honors - GPA 3.8
Associate of Applied Science | Graphic Communications (Illustration) | 2004
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley
Columbia College Chicago
Graduated with Honors - GPA 3.8
Associate of Applied Science | Graphic Communications (Illustration) | 2004
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley
Academic Positions
Program Coordinator: Graphic Communications | St. Louis Community College | Jan. 2017 to Present
St. Louis, MO
• Strategic Planning Committee member leading the sub-committee on Encouraging Innovation and Creating Diversity.
• Mentor and advise 80+ students in the Graphic Communications program in the selection of courses each semester.
• Oversee operating budget, class and teaching schedules.
• Teaching 100 and 200-level courses in animation, illustration and digital art.
Adjunct Professor | St. Louis Community College | Jan. 2012 to Jan. 2017
St. Louis, MO
• Awarded "Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Liberal Arts Division 2016"
• Students have won major grants and scholarships to Bachelors Programs at CalArts, Savannah College of Art and Design, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and Ringling College of Art and Design.
• Initiated ongoing collaboration between the Graphic Communications and Mass Communications Departments which partners students in the creation of short animated films. (The first program of its kind at STLCC.)
• Developed an animation curriculum that is consistent with those of major art universities.
• Graduates are able to transfer into Bachelors programs as Juniors with foundational animation courses complete.
• Identified a previously untapped market for recruitment in Home Schooled students. Organized department tour and special animation lesson for students which has lead to an increase in enrollment of Home Schooled students.
Faculty Advisor: Graphic Arts Association | St. Louis Community College | Jan. 2013 to Present
St. Louis, MO
• Developed successful fundraising strategies that have increased student participation in the Graphics Arts Association by 50% and taken the organization from an operational deficit to an $800 surplus within the first year.
• Worked with the Florissant Chamber of Commerce to create opportunities for students to use their artistic skills to benefit community events like Valley of Flowers and the North County Business Showcase.
• Mentored students in the creation of a 42 page graphic novel, "Galactic Axolotls", which will be published and in stores beginning in the spring of 2017.
• Organized and chaperoned a club trip to Four Star Studios in Chicago, IL where students received portfolio reviews and advice from professional artists working at Dark Horse, Image, and DC Comics.
St. Louis, MO
• Strategic Planning Committee member leading the sub-committee on Encouraging Innovation and Creating Diversity.
• Mentor and advise 80+ students in the Graphic Communications program in the selection of courses each semester.
• Oversee operating budget, class and teaching schedules.
• Teaching 100 and 200-level courses in animation, illustration and digital art.
Adjunct Professor | St. Louis Community College | Jan. 2012 to Jan. 2017
St. Louis, MO
• Awarded "Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Liberal Arts Division 2016"
• Students have won major grants and scholarships to Bachelors Programs at CalArts, Savannah College of Art and Design, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and Ringling College of Art and Design.
• Initiated ongoing collaboration between the Graphic Communications and Mass Communications Departments which partners students in the creation of short animated films. (The first program of its kind at STLCC.)
• Developed an animation curriculum that is consistent with those of major art universities.
• Graduates are able to transfer into Bachelors programs as Juniors with foundational animation courses complete.
• Identified a previously untapped market for recruitment in Home Schooled students. Organized department tour and special animation lesson for students which has lead to an increase in enrollment of Home Schooled students.
Faculty Advisor: Graphic Arts Association | St. Louis Community College | Jan. 2013 to Present
St. Louis, MO
• Developed successful fundraising strategies that have increased student participation in the Graphics Arts Association by 50% and taken the organization from an operational deficit to an $800 surplus within the first year.
• Worked with the Florissant Chamber of Commerce to create opportunities for students to use their artistic skills to benefit community events like Valley of Flowers and the North County Business Showcase.
• Mentored students in the creation of a 42 page graphic novel, "Galactic Axolotls", which will be published and in stores beginning in the spring of 2017.
• Organized and chaperoned a club trip to Four Star Studios in Chicago, IL where students received portfolio reviews and advice from professional artists working at Dark Horse, Image, and DC Comics.
Courses Taught
|
Storyboarding & Animatics
Fundamentals of Animation Animation Techniques: Digital 2D Special Topics in Animation Motion Media Design Digital Illustration |
Drawing for Graphics
Illustration I Illustration II Computer Art Studio Advanced Computer Art Web Design I |
Skills
|
Skills
Motion Graphics Graphic Design Web Design Storyboarding Animation: Traditional & Digital Illustration: Traditional & Digital Video Editing Audio Editing |
Software (Mac and Windows)
After Effects Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Flash Premiere ToonBoom Harmony ToonBoom Animate Pro 2 ToonBoom Storyboard Pro 2 Sony Vegas Pro Audition Audacity |
College Service
"The Art of Matias Tapia" Gallery Exhibition | Curator | Fall 2016
• Organized and curated an exhibition in the Florissant Valley Contemporary Art Gallery featuring work by the popular illustrator and video game artist, Matias Tapia.
• Secured special permission from Hasbro and Gear Box to show concept art and illustrations from popular titles such as: "Borderlands 2", "Kaijudo", "HellFire: The Summoning", "Dungeond & Dragons", and "Pathfinder".
• Oversaw printing and mounting of work, interviewed the artist for display in the gallery and helped promote the event at local conventions.
• Organized the printing and sale of a series of limited edition signed prints of Tapia's original works. All proceeds form the sale went to benefit the Florissant Valley art clubs.
Title IX Awareness PSAs | Animation Supervisor | Fall 2015 - Spring 2016
• Lead students in the creation of a series of animated public service announcements designed to increase awareness of on-campus resources for those dealing with issues like Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault and Stalking.
• Students worked in small teams consisting of: animators, storyboard artists, and broadcasting/ sound design majors to write, direct and animate the PSAs.
• The PSAs are now being shown district-wide as part of the larger Title IX awareness effort.
• This is the first project of its kind and is unique to the Florissant Valley campus.
Drawing FergUSon Together | Committee Member | 2015
• Over 300 people from the campus and community attended this two-day art event and social justice summit sponsored by global CHALK4PEACE and the Women's Caucus for Art.
• Designed logo, t-shirts, website, and promotional materials.
• The event was filmed for a documentary of the same name which is currently in production by Global CHALK4PEACE.
The Clothesline Project | Organizer | Spring 2016
• During this free 2-day event over 100 shirts were decorated with stories and messages of support for violence survivors. The shirts were on display in the Student Center throughout the month of April in connection with the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Women's History Month Committee | Member | 2013 to Spring 2016
Developed unique arts programming including:
• A live recording of the radio drama "The Screwfly Solution" by James Tiptree, Jr. (Alice Sheldon) which was later rebroadcast on KCFV throughout the month.
• Screening and discussion of women animators and their works from Lotte Reiniger to the early anime directors of Studio Gainax and Studio Ghibli.
• Staged readings of works by Joanna Bailey.
• Organized and curated an exhibition in the Florissant Valley Contemporary Art Gallery featuring work by the popular illustrator and video game artist, Matias Tapia.
• Secured special permission from Hasbro and Gear Box to show concept art and illustrations from popular titles such as: "Borderlands 2", "Kaijudo", "HellFire: The Summoning", "Dungeond & Dragons", and "Pathfinder".
• Oversaw printing and mounting of work, interviewed the artist for display in the gallery and helped promote the event at local conventions.
• Organized the printing and sale of a series of limited edition signed prints of Tapia's original works. All proceeds form the sale went to benefit the Florissant Valley art clubs.
Title IX Awareness PSAs | Animation Supervisor | Fall 2015 - Spring 2016
• Lead students in the creation of a series of animated public service announcements designed to increase awareness of on-campus resources for those dealing with issues like Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault and Stalking.
• Students worked in small teams consisting of: animators, storyboard artists, and broadcasting/ sound design majors to write, direct and animate the PSAs.
• The PSAs are now being shown district-wide as part of the larger Title IX awareness effort.
• This is the first project of its kind and is unique to the Florissant Valley campus.
Drawing FergUSon Together | Committee Member | 2015
• Over 300 people from the campus and community attended this two-day art event and social justice summit sponsored by global CHALK4PEACE and the Women's Caucus for Art.
• Designed logo, t-shirts, website, and promotional materials.
• The event was filmed for a documentary of the same name which is currently in production by Global CHALK4PEACE.
The Clothesline Project | Organizer | Spring 2016
• During this free 2-day event over 100 shirts were decorated with stories and messages of support for violence survivors. The shirts were on display in the Student Center throughout the month of April in connection with the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Women's History Month Committee | Member | 2013 to Spring 2016
Developed unique arts programming including:
• A live recording of the radio drama "The Screwfly Solution" by James Tiptree, Jr. (Alice Sheldon) which was later rebroadcast on KCFV throughout the month.
• Screening and discussion of women animators and their works from Lotte Reiniger to the early anime directors of Studio Gainax and Studio Ghibli.
• Staged readings of works by Joanna Bailey.
Animation Showcase | Creator/ Organizer | 2013 - Present
• An annual student animation festival, showcasing the best student work in animation, storyboarding and motion graphics. Now entering its 3rd year.
• Key responsibilities: Jury work; editing and animation for show reel; troubleshoot tech. issues; MC show.
Collaborative Projects with Mass Communications Dept. | 2014 to present
• Developed a program which partners Broadcasting majors interesting in voice-over and/ or sound design with animation students.
• Animation students receive lessons from Broadcasting instructors in voice direction, audio editing, and sound design. Broadcasting students gain real-world experience and work for their demo reels.
Collaborative Project w/ Counseling and Career Center | 2013
• Lead a project in which Illustration II students created artwork for the Counseling and Career center. The heads of the Counseling an Career Centers acted as clients for the students, giving them realistic work experience.
• The best pieces are on permanent display in the Center.
Other Service Projects and Committees
|
Women's Caucus for Art: St. Louis | Board Member | 2015 to Present
Title IX Awareness Task Force (District) | Member | 2015 to Present Title IX Steering Committee (Campus) | Member | 2015 to Present Gallery Exhibitions Committee | 2015 - Present Graphics Advisory Board | 2015 - Present |
Visiting Artist: Design I (ART 107) | 2012 & 2013
Honors Project Mentor | 2013 - 2016 Chalk4Peace | 2013 & 2014 Portfolio Day | 2012 - 2016 Art-In Presenter | 2013 |
Award-Winning Productions
“A Tooth Tale” (Animated Film)
Client - Ron Fleischer
Job Role - Special Effects Background Artist
Awards - Best Animated Short: 2013 Garden Stare Film Festival, Best Short Film: 2013 Columbia College Chicago Alumni Film Competition, Honorable Mention: 2013 Santa Monica Film Festival, Honorable Mention: 2012 Columbus International Film & Video Festival
“Osgood Rex” (Musical)
Client - Project WonderMeant
Job Role - Character Designer & Mask Fabricator
Award - Audience Choice Award: 2012 St. Lou Fringe Fest
“Zombie Ninja Pirates” (Game Series)
Client - Gozer Games
Job Role - Lead Illustrator
Awards - 2011 Gaming Genius Award, 2010 Toy Man Award of Excellence
“The Three Artists” (Animated Film)
Client - Senior Film at Columbia College Chicago
Job Role - Director; Lead Animator
Award - Screened at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2008
Client - Ron Fleischer
Job Role - Special Effects Background Artist
Awards - Best Animated Short: 2013 Garden Stare Film Festival, Best Short Film: 2013 Columbia College Chicago Alumni Film Competition, Honorable Mention: 2013 Santa Monica Film Festival, Honorable Mention: 2012 Columbus International Film & Video Festival
“Osgood Rex” (Musical)
Client - Project WonderMeant
Job Role - Character Designer & Mask Fabricator
Award - Audience Choice Award: 2012 St. Lou Fringe Fest
“Zombie Ninja Pirates” (Game Series)
Client - Gozer Games
Job Role - Lead Illustrator
Awards - 2011 Gaming Genius Award, 2010 Toy Man Award of Excellence
“The Three Artists” (Animated Film)
Client - Senior Film at Columbia College Chicago
Job Role - Director; Lead Animator
Award - Screened at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2008
Honors & Awards
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Liberal Arts | STLCC at Florissant Valley | 2016
Women-in-Progress Exhibition (Group Exhibition) | Florissant Valley Contemporary Art Gallery | March 2010
Certificate of Alumni Accomplishment | STLCC at Florissant Valley | 2008
Dean's List | Columbia College Chicago | 2005, 2006 & 2008
Women-in-Progress Exhibition (Group Exhibition) | Florissant Valley Contemporary Art Gallery | March 2010
Certificate of Alumni Accomplishment | STLCC at Florissant Valley | 2008
Dean's List | Columbia College Chicago | 2005, 2006 & 2008