Ella Countess

Jocelyn Bedell

Specialization

Concept Art

Internship

Intern at Harmonix Music Inc. in Boston, MA

Post-Grad Job

Junior 3-D Artist at Harmonix Music Inc. in Boston, MA

What is the best thing about the Game Art major at Champlain?

Game art is always developing. There are new programs, new pipelines, and new methods. Champlain is always tweaking Division of Information Technology & Sciences programs to keep up with industry trends in game art, which gives students an edge when they enter into the field.

Have you had any internships?

I had a summer internship with Harmonix Music Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. I created assets for character customization in Rock Band Four and seasons rewards for character customization. Now, I will be working full-time for Harmonix after graduation!

How did Champlain prepare you for the professional world?

Without Champlain and the support of my professors, I would have never applied for my summer job at Harmonix. I would have never worked on Rock Band Four, and I certainly would have never been hired by them now.

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Abby Caldwell

Advice to Students?

Never be afraid to try something new, be it a club, a class, or something else. You never know where you’ll find a new passion. It may not always work out the way you want, but take the chances you’re given.

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Books: Animorphs series by K. A. Applegate

Inspirational Quote?

“Creative activity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.” – Arthur Koestler

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Jenny Caplan

What about Champlain College appealed to you as an international student?

For my Computer Arts degree, there were several options in Europe for exchange programs. Champlain was the only one in the USA which was interesting to me. I wanted to go to Champlain because it seemed like a really fun and friendly community. I went to the exchange program presentation led by previous exchange students. I was really excited after the presentation, finding out there were so many clubs and student activities. I had my own club at Abertay but without much engagement. I run one now by the same name of Jukiyo club and the club members are now all my closest friends here.

What resources are available to you as an international student? How were they helpful?

The OISS office run by Jessa Karki is my first point of contact for any issues or questions that I have as an international student. Jessa is really helpful and is a good advisor for when I’m struggling with anything. I have also found many professors to be understanding of my status as an international student, as well.

As an international student, what do you think is most valuable about a Champlain education?

I think having professors in the industry has been really helpful in preparing me to choose the right specialization and career path in Game Art after graduation.I really enjoyed Game Entrepreneurship, which was a virtual Montreal class. We worked with real industry problems and data in our case studies, which was really interesting.

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Jen Carlin

Internship

Lighting Intern at Insomniac Games in Burbank, CA

Post-Grad Job

Lighting Artist at Insomniac Games in Burbank, CA

What is the best thing about the professors at Champlain?

The Game Art professors at Champlain are knowledgeable and invested in your future. They really go out of their way to help you whenever possible, but also make sure you develop the skills to help yourself. It’s easy to build a one-on-one relationship with your professors since class sizes are so small. I still see former professors around from classes I had two or three years ago, and they always take a moment to catch up with me.

How has Champlain prepared you for the professional world?

Throughout my years at Champlain, I’ve really had a chance to practice networking at events like the Womxn in Gaming dinners, where students and alumni get a chance to mingle. You get a chance to develop soft skills as well as technical skills at Champlain.

Can you tell us about your internship?

I worked as a Lighting Intern at Insomniac Games in Burbank, California. I helped the lighting team on Spider-Man PS4 with elements of the game like open-world reflections, lighting cinematic cutscenes, and lighting the game’s loading screens. Champlain’s Game Art program made sure I was ready to handle the workload of a major studio, even after only three years of education. My internship led to me being hired as a full-time Lighting Artist with Insomniac after graduation.

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Lucia Hughes

Advice to Students?

Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors if you are struggling.

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Movie: Knives Out

Inspirational Quote?

If we were all trees there’d be no more wars, because we’d be trees.

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Jimmy Jiang

Advice to Students?

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, even if it’s from someone not in your discipline. Most people are always willing to help.

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Movie:Parasite by Bong Joon-ho

Inspirational Quote?

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

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Max Laudenslager

Favorite Class

Advanced Seminar

Can you tell us about your experience in your major?

Reflecting back on my time at Champlain, these past four years have been absolutely insane. Regarding my major in Game Art, from day one, students are taught the fundamentals and principles of art and design and the history of game development. Champlain College’s Upside-Down Curriculum offers students the wonderful opportunity to explore their field of study from the very beginning. Students are pushed to go above and beyond, and to unlock their highest potential. The teachers and faculty from the different game majors work hard to provide students with the right resources and skills to prepare them for the industry, and after reflecting back on where I was four years ago in comparison to where I am now, I can certifiably say that the most passionate and dedicated individuals who pursue this field will graduate from Champlain with all of the right tools, skills, and resources that the industry is looking for.

How has Core changed your perspective?

It opened up my mind to a greater understanding of the unfathomable life experiences of others, which can be dramatically different from my own life experience. Karma is a collective experience, not just an individual one. Everyone is influenced by the way each of us shows up in the world. I grew to enjoy it, and I’ve learned an incredible amount about the world and current issues we’re working through, on both a personal and global scale.

What advice do you have for students looking to get into Game Art?

First, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your teachers, your peers, and the Career Collaborative are all here to help guide you and support you on your journey to developing your skills, passions, and aspirations. Second, know your limDivision of Information Technology & Sciences, and break those boundaries even when all seems hopeless. If you don’t push yourself, you don’t go anywhere. Fail when you can, and learn from those mistakes (just don’t do it your senior year!). And third, there may come a time when you will ask yourself: “Do I have what it takes to make it?” The answer is yes. You CAN do this! Be bold, be daring. Love what you do, and learn how you can contribute and help others. In turn, they will help you to succeed.

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Anders Lindberg

Specialization

Animation

Favorite Class

Animation I

How has the Upside-Down Curriculum enhanced your education?

The Upside-Down Curriculum has been so beneficial to me as a learner that I cannot imagine being in a program that doesn’t utilize it. The amount of genuine experience I have received in my field has put me in a position that allows me to develop critical skills every semester starting right away.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

My first semester at Champlain, I was given the opportunity to join one of the Champlain College Esports teams, and beyond that I have had a blast participating in student-run events such as Game Jams and movie showings. I enjoy these activities because they are run by students, for students. Therefore, everyone has the opportunity to influence these activities and make them exactly how they want them to be.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve found out about your experience at Champlain so far?

What surprised me about Champlain was myself. Oftentimes the first years come down with ‘imposter syndrome,’ and I can say that it hit me hard. I was afraid that I couldn’t live up to the expectations. What surprised me was how much potential I had within me, and how these classes could drag that potential out and allow me to do things I didn’t think were possible.

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Grace Magnant

Specialization

Environment Artist

Favorite Class

Bodies: Dance

Post-Grad Job

Junior Environment Artist at Raven

What made you choose your major?

I was at Champlain’s open house, and I remember going to the Game Art and Animation presentation. They were very honest about what was to come if I wanted to be a game artist. The professor explained that Game Art was one of the toughest majors on campus, and that there would be very little free time if you chose to go down this path. My dad told me later he was listening to this thinking “oh gosh, that’s a tough sell. Grace probably doesn’t want this.” But when he looked at me, I was inspired. I wanted a major that was challenging, something that pushed me to be better, and in some ways, something that would prove to myself that I could accomplish any task in front of me. I found that environment art combined the two things I love the most: mathematical problem-solving and art.

What was your favorite Core class experience?

I was able to create a drag show in my second year for a core class that questioned gender expression and how much confidence and self-worth ties into how one presents themself. I brought a bunch of friends together and had them take a series of surveys before, right after, and a few weeks after the drag show that asked about their mental state and self-worth during those times. It was incredible to see just how much self-worth and confidence can be tied to theway people present themselves and how opening the door to things like drag shows improved many people’s self-confidence and self-worth. As an experiment, it also brought to life how dressing certain ways can put you into a box you may not be comfortable with and how, even if you find you like the way you present yourself currently, gender expression and fashion experimentation allow you to find a place where you feel the most confident with yourself.

What are your plans after graduation?

I have recently accepted a Junior Environment Artist position at a company called Raven, and will be moving out there this summer. I am excited to further my career from this point forward, and I am very grateful for the opportunities and growth I have gained at Champlain College.

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Megan McAvoy

Internship

Game Art Intern at GameTheory Co. in Burlington, VT

Post-Grad Job

Art Director at Rad Magpie in Burlington, VT

Have you had any internships?

I had the privilege of interning at GameTheory where I was a Game Art intern. When I started, I was just getting out of my first year at Champlain so I was really intimidated. I mostly worked in Photoshop making 2-D assets for mobile games. I was actually the only art intern, so I had a lot of control over what the games ended up looking like. It was a really big responsibility.

Can you tell us about the professors in the Game Studio?

Our professors are all really approachable. They’re open about their office hours—if you go meet with them, they’re 100% there, willing and ready to help you. That’s why they’re there. I once had a meeting with a professor and he was in tears because he cared so much about helping students learn and grow, cultivating the next generation of game developers. That really touched me.

What do you think of the Victorian-era residence halls?

I absolutely think that living on campus is integral to connecting with your fellow students. The people that I’ve met in my residence halls have really helped me connect with the Champlain community.
You live with these people, you’re interacting with them all the time, you’re learning about their life and then all of a sudden, you’re meeting their friends on campus. You’re expanding your social network just by living with new people.

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Colton Orr

Internship

3-D Character Artist at Tuque Games in Montreal, Canada

Pots-Grad Job

Character Artist at Insomniac Games in Burbank, CA

What made you choose Champlain College?

I liked Champlain for a multitude of reasons, including the Upside-Down Curriculum, but I ultimately chose Champlain because of the Game Art & Animation* major. Our program is all about creating games with a purpose beyond just entertainment. We consider depth, and what makes a game matter. That’s something other schools don’t have, and we do it well.
*Program name changed to Game Art in 2019.

What is the best part about the professors at Champlain?

No matter what classes you take, your professors care about your success. There have been so many times when our professors stayed hours after class just to work with one student on something, not necessarily because that student was struggling, but because the teacher was inspired to help them. Champlain professors go above and beyond for their students.

Can you tell us about your internship in Montreal?

My internship was at Tuque Games, a small indie company. During the summer, I was working as a character artist creating monsters for a game I grew up playing. One of the most rewarding memories I have is the first time I got to play against one of the monsters that I made. I learned how to work on a team, practice new art techniques, and manage my time in a professional setting. The experience was amazing.

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Adam Streeter

Internship

Lost Cosmonauts

Favorite Class

Arab Spring

Post-Grad Job

Valve Software

What made you choose Champlain?

I knew I wanted a smaller school, and I also knew I wanted something game-related. Reading up on Champlain’s robust game majors was very exciting! I was especially interested in going to Champlain after hearing about the production sequence and actually getting to make real games. What sealed the deal was the location. Having grown up in Connecticut, I knew I wanted to stay in New England. Sure it’s cold, but in the fall it’s less cold! And look at those trees!

Have you worked on-campus either in a work-study or part-time position?

I worked for five semesters at the Emergent Media Center, which gave me a lot of importantexperience working with actual clients on real projects, and taught me more about the production cycle hands-on! I’ve also been a Resident Assistant on campus for two years, which really helped me come out of my shell socially, built up my confidence as a leader, and introduced me to a lot of responsibility!

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I participate in the Champlayers drama club. It’s a small group of people who I consider good friends, and they’re incredibly supportive and talented. I love being able to get on stage and make people laugh and have a good time. I also attend Climb Champlain, which is a great way to get physical and hang around with a bunch of really passionate climbing folks.

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Jack Tenda

Favorite Class

Advanced Seminar

What specifically made you choose Champlain?

The Game Studio/Game Art program was one of the biggest reasons why I chose to attend Champlain. Being a local Vermonter, I always heard great things about the program. It seemed like a no-brainer to be a part of the Champlain community, which values hard work and collaboration.

How has Core changed your perspective (of self, of community, of the world)?

Core allowed me to open up as an individual and be a free thinker. I can see now that before coming to college, I was a very close-minded person, and did not really care to learn more about other perspectives. Core classes completely changed my way of thinking about life, and helped me form my own opinions while doing relevant research on important topics. Without the Core curriculum, I would not feel as prepared to jump headfirst into the real world.

Having been at Champlain now, what advice do you wish you could have given yourself on day one?

If I could have given myself advice, it would have been to be more involved with the Champlain community, and find a club or extracurricular to join. It always seemed like there was no time to fit these activities into my schedule. Looking back and seeing how quickly four years went by, I wish I did more to find a club or community.

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Alex Theodoreu

Internship

Weathered Sweater in Winooski, VT and Rad Magpie in Burlington, VT

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I was involved with Champlain College Esports from the first week of my first year to the beginning of my junior year. It was one of the best decisions I ever made because I met so many cool people and really felt like I found a place for myself at Champlain. The connections and friendships I made have been really great, and I did a lot of graphic design work for CCE so I was able to build a portfolio for that. I never expected to get involved with Esports at all when I got to college, but it was one of the best choices I made.

Have you worked on-campus in either a part-time or work-study position?

Two positions I really enjoyed having are being a Student Ambassador and being a Game Art Tutor.Being a Student Ambassador is such a great way to meet a new group of friends and start feeling more self-confident. SA really focuses on how to talk to people, how to represent yourself and the school professionally, and how to think through situations quickly and handle them with ease. I’ve become a much better speaker ever since I started giving tours, and that has helped me with so many things from giving better presentations for my classes to being able to communicate more effectively with the people I collaborate with. Game Art tutoring is a super rewarding job because you can do it when you’re a senior and actually be able to apply the knowledge you’ve accumulated over the past three years of college to help other students. It’s been great actually learning how to articulate what I do specifically in the programs I’m using so that I can clearly communicate how to fix an issue or show a person how to do something without confusing them. I find that I learn more about the programs I use by teaching others how to use them.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve found at Champlain?

I was surprised with how much I fell in love with the sunsets over the lake. I genuinely would schedule my meetings in the library right around when the sun would set so I could see the sunset over the entire horizon. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and I’m so happy I can sit in awe in front of my window every night and watch the sun fade into the mountains that frame Lake Champlain.

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Katherine Townsend

Concentration

Animation

Internships

Animation/Video Intern at Clocky & Game Production Intern at Jam City

Favorite Class

Advanced Seminars in Animation

What is it about your major/area of study that appeals to you? Why does a career in that field matter—what value does it add to the world?

I’ve always valued the field of animation, and I knew I would pursue that direction when heading to college. I’ve found game development is full of many more opportunities than I had even known. While I’ve always valued entertainment—whether that be through film or games—it’s even more clear now how necessary it is to humanity moving forward. Entertainment gets people through hard times and helps make our lives better.

Talk a bit about your classes. What projects, subjects, or experiences have had an impact on you? How does that apply to your field?

In the Game Studio curriculum, our studio classes have had the biggest impact on my understanding of the industry because we were immersed in a real studio environment with team-driven projects. It fostered a sense of community, autonomy, and goal-setting that I hadn’t encountered before. It also allowed me to explore different roles in the studio. It’s also where I was introduced to being a producer, which is what I’m going to do in my career.

Have you had opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in your major to experiences outside the classroom?

For my entire junior year, I worked as a Game Production Intern at Jam City. I’ve been able to bring the documentation and planning skills I’ve learned from my Game Studio classes into a major mobile game development studio. Coming from an interdisciplinary background, I was able to serve the art and narrative teams at work with the previous knowledge of having studied both subjects with my major and minor courses of study.During my internship with Jam City, I served on the production teams of two games: Panda Pop and Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. I dove into production for art and animation, while also dabbling in narrative and localization. I handled various tasks and documentation that supported both teams, and took on solo projects that aided the team’s asset archives and reference material that will bring efficiency to future projects. Outside of working and supporting my teams as a Production Intern, I met many great people and made amazing and meaningful connections that I know I’ll keep for the rest of my career.

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