2021 Animation, Interactive Media, and Game Design Student Exhibition

ANIMATiON, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

MESSAGE PRESiDENT FROM THE

Here we have the work of over 500 graduating Art and Design students—every one of them a marvel!

Imagine the challenges they faced this year.

Forced by the pandemic to work from their homes, denied the in-studio, shoulder-to-shoulder, hands-on learning experience they expected, they nevertheless forged ahead, defying all obstacles. They created makeshift work stations in their bedrooms, basements, kitchen corners and other unlikely locations. Focused, hardworking and energetic, they applied their ingenuity to learn, explore, experiment and achieve. And as we see from this catalogue, they succeeded.

The work in this catalogue represents 16 of the School of Art and Design’s programs. In it we not only see the students’ finished products, but also images of how those projects evolved. These images help to reveal the creative process and the students’ individuality. Through it all, we sense their resilience and determination. Indeed, this vibrant catalogue— with its bright bold colors—pays homage to their optimism and extraordinary strength.

I offer congratulations to these students and to the families and friends who supported them throughout this difficult year. Congratulations as well to the stalwart Art and Design faculty whose own skills and ingenuity rose to the pandemic’s challenge and provided guidance to their students with diligence and care.

Dr. Joyce F. Brown President 2

TURN STATIC ENVIRONMENTS INTO

Animation and interaction design were once two separate but related disciplines that have become integrated in ways that turn static environments into interactive experiences. Students drawing on their core skills and the availability of new technology design in ways that enable audience parti- cipation in various forms, such as apps, games, and environments. Each year, students graduating from Animation, Interactive Media, and Game Design complete a thesis project that represents some aspect of their studies that is of particular interest. Students draw on the many disciplines they have been exposed to throughout their two years in the program. The projects often reflect their backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and dreams, and help enhance their way in their chosen fields.

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

3

INFO

@tiffyffit https://vimeo.com/541362085

PROJECTS

A GHOULISH CHASE 2D Animation

STATEMENT

TIFFANY BARTH

“A Ghoulish Chase” — Three girls are left to watch the cottage on Halloween night. However, they soon start to realize that they aren’t alone when one is immediately chased by a mischievous ghost. Soon, the encounter leads to a full-on chase throughout the cottage.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

4

INFO

@Tasnia_art https://tasniab.myportfolio.com/

PROJECTS

MYRA MEETS A FRIENDLY SPIRIT Toonboom 2D Animation

STATEMENT

TASNIA BHUIYAN “Bhoot” — After a long day fishing, two Bengali sisters find themselves in a haunted forest being hunted by a malicious spirit.

I was influenced by Bengali folk-tales and ghost stories I heard as a child. I was always the scared child who jumped at any mention of a ghost or spirit, but now I am fascinated by them! My relationship with my siblings and cousins also influenced this film. As the eldest daughter and cousin in my family, I often felt responsible for my younger relatives. I hold so much love for them and admire their carefree attitudes. Animated movies that revolve around themes of sibling love and unconventional familial relationships influenced this film.

Some examples are “Lilo & Stitch,” “Coco,” “One Small Step,” and “Brother Bear.” I hope to create more art nd animation based on stories and relationships that mean the world to me.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

5

INFO

@WhateverRSD, @RSDwhatever https://vimeo.com/540625899

PROJECTS

JUST IMAGINE 3D & 2D animation / Maya, After Effects and Photoshop

STATEMENT

RACHEL SHIRA DAN “Just Imagine” is a short film about a young girl who goes about her day unaware that her mom is using imagination to shield her from their financial situation.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

6

INFO

@pinuwuk linktr.ee/pinuwuk https://vimeo.com/540537347

PROJECTS

FALSE IDOL Illustration / Procreate

STATEMENT

MANDY DECASTEELE

“False Idol” — A girl is willing to do anything to be more popular than her rival — even going so far as to contract with a demon! When her plan backfires, she can only fight alongside her rival or suffer the consequences of her own actions!

While making my film, I felt the world around me sucked, so I made something fun to distract from it.

I achieved that with comedic dialogue and visuals.

I attribute a lot of inspiration from animated shows like “Ed, Edd n Eddy,” “The World of Gumball,” “Nichijou,” etc. I’m a sucker for witty dialogue, gag humor, satire, and the liberty of character model-breaking.

I have included those elements in my work. I’ve been influenced by artists like Naoko Takeuchi, Junji Ito, and Victoria Vincent with their bold and beautiful use of color. I admire their sense of tone and composition in their scenes.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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BENJAMIN ENG & JOURDEL GRANT

STATEMENT

PROJECTS

INFO

@kitsch.exe, @beneng.art

1.

DODGE 2-D animation

2.

FINESSE 2-D animation

1.

“Ragtag” — A young graffiti artist is part of a crew of teen rebels pursued through the streets on high-tech laser skates by a robotic military state enforcer.

The chase leads them through a futuristic urban setting in a fast-paced action sequence culminating in a rooftop confrontation. The young artist must overcome his fears and learn to fight for what’s important to him.

2.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

@panda_dweller https://vimeo.com/user44275811

PROJECTS

MYTHICAL GUARDIAN Unity Game Engine - Video Game

STATEMENT

ISAIAH EWING For my thesis, “Mythical Guardian,” I chose to develop a side-scrolling video game that has a mixture of both 2D and 3D elements. I’ve always been fascinated by that genre of game, particularly with how much detail is put into them — the environment and the characters feel alive. I chose to use the Unity Game Engine software for developing my game because I have past experience with it. I have always wanted to make an environment that was full of wonderful designs and to create characters that would live there. I would like players to experience adventure through this “2.5D” side-scrolling game while enjoying the sights of the vast environment.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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ERNESTO GARCIA

STATEMENT

PROJECTS

INFO

https://vimeo.com/541144304

1.

LOST IN THOUGHT Thesis Project / Maya / 3D & 2D animation

2.

FILLING UP GAS Thesis Project / Maya / 3D & 2D animation

1.

“Discordant Memories” — Victor, a young veteran, struggles with the effects of PTSD after returning from serving his country. His fallen comrades’ dog tags help give Victor the strength to prevail over his breakdown.

My goal is to raise PTSD awareness through animation.

Whether you are a veteran or civilian survivor of traumatic events, you are not alone. Please reach out for help. PTSD treatment can turn your life around, even if you have been struggling for years.

FIT GSE ’21

2.

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

@tiffyffit https://vimeo.com/541183403

PROJECTS

LONELY SOUL 3D Animation

STATEMENT

MARC GRIMALDI “Lonely Soul” — A lonely soul wanders through an old, decrepit house alone. However, something lurks within these halls. And it is not friendly.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

11

INFO

@hotgreenteaart https://taraharveyingram19.wixsite.com/hotgreenteaart

PROJECTS

THE MICE 3D Animation

STATEMENT

TARA HARVEY-INGRAM “Heirlooms” started as an early project from my fifth semester and has since expanded. I am inspired by classic cartoons such as “The Secret of NIMH,” “Ratatouille,” “The Rescuers,” and “Cinderella.” I love that in those examples, characters that have a minuscule identity in life are portrayed as individuals with emotion and constructive thoughts. I like how those characters interact with others of the same species in their respective stories, and appreciate how stark the change is in communication between those who are different. “Heirlooms” represents a progression of learning in which I applied everything I learned at FIT. I wanted to combine the story that I created and love with a medium that I have had a love/hate relationship with from the beginning: 3D!

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

@m._.huang https://vimeo.com/541125643

PROJECTS

SO SAIL 3D Animation

STATEMENT

MEI HUANG “So Sail” — Dennis, a bright-eyed yet cowardly pirate in training, returns to the high seas with his captain after an unsuccessful voyage. While his captain drinks away his misery, Dennis soon notices the ship entering dangerous territory.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

https://vimeo.com/540865157

PROJECTS

WATER SPIRIT 3D Animation

STATEMENT

FUHUA LIN “Water Spirit” — A short adventure. The protagonist encounters some interesting things during his journey to find the water spirit.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

@brandonnobody https://vimeo.com/540914511

PROJECTS

SOLID STATE Unreal Engine 4

STATEMENT

BRANDON LJIKOVIC “Solid State” — A stealthy soldier infiltrates an area controlled by killer robots.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

https://vimeo.com/540476641

PROJECTS

A DAY TRIP 2D Animation

STATEMENT

HAFSA MOHAMMAD “A Day Trip” — A demon king is sick and tired of the endless work he needs to take care of in his realm, so he decides to take a day trip… Little does he know his form in the human world makes it easy for a curious child to kidnap him.

I’ve always been a fan of fantastical stories with beautiful characters and designs. Using 2D animation and digital art to capture that genre has always been a goal of mine. I’ve focused a lot on illustration and on honing my skills, but to make something feel like more than just a flat image on screen is an incredible feat I wish to master.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

@_justzach_ https://vimeo.com/541233782

PROJECTS

GRIEF 2-D Animation/ Photoshop

STATEMENT

ZACHARIAH NICIUS “GRIEF” — The story follows a dark and brooding lighthouse keeper living in a monster-infested lake.

One dark and cloudy night he witnesses a murder by the siren responsible for his daughter’s death. He grabs his axe and swoops into action. On his path for revenge, he makes a startling discovery and is forced to relive his grief.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

@solvefor2n https://vimeo.com/541213780

PROJECTS

THE WIZARD AND HIS FAIRY 2D Animation

STATEMENT

NAOMI NUNEZ “The Wizard and His Fairy” — With an evil plot to destroy the village on the outskirts of his forest home, a diabolical wizard attempts to summon the darkest entity in his spellbook to do his bidding. But instead, he accidentally summons a delightful fairy godmother.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

@tzouroshihiro https://vimeo.com/541186420

PROJECTS

BLUVR 3D Animation

STATEMENT

TIANA PALMER-PORONER “Blur” — Magic is supposed to make life easier. That might not be the case, especially when it has a mind of its own. Jack got the short end of the stick. She is sent on mission after mission collecting objects across the universes and dimensions. Take a sneak peek at a day in Jack’s life when magic has an agenda of its own. Even though Jack’s life is supposed to be easier with magic, that is not the case for her. Danger comes in different forms when you least expect it.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

https://vimeo.com/54047506

PROJECTS

THE WARRIOR OF STONE 2D Animation: Blender, Photoshop, and After Effects

STATEMENT

MARK RAMNATHSINGH “The Warrior of Stone” — Snatched from his beloved’s arms, a Mongolian warrior is drafted to the front lines to defend his homeland. Stopping the invading army is nothing but a death sentence that takes his life. His beloved, knowing the Mongolians will soon come for her village, seeks to carve out the memory of her one true love — a lasting monument to their commitment even in the afterlife.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

@bellaraykhman, @sashadavy_dova, @ijus8 https://vimeo.com/540788881

PROJECTS

MIND OF 2250 3D Modeling/ Unreal Engine

STATEMENT

BELLA RAYKHMAN, ALEKSANDRA DAVYDOVA, JUSTIN REYNOSO Greed has plagued human history since its inception — a driving force that has infiltrated every aspect of society. This story takes place in a distant future America where an individual’s wealth and societal status are the only keys to success. Capitalism has bled into government, completely eliminating any moral consideration for its citizens. However, an opportunity is presented by the government to jump to the top of the social ladder; a simple game. The viewer is invited to test their luck and compete in a challenge that bears incredible rewards. Are you up for the challenge?

Are you willing to take the risk?

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

21

INFO

@CheeseColumns https://vimeo.com/541099565

PROJECTS

SCRIBBLED IN 3D Animation

STATEMENT

CHESTER ROSE “Scribbled In” is a short animated story about creative blocks and overcoming them. Whereas fear and perfectionism are the usual suspects in stifling creativity, I believe curiosity and playfulness are the “cure.”

I developed a story about an artist going through an internal struggle and had him discover how to get over the block through the actions of a childlike figure. In the short, I combined several styles of animation and visual elements. I chose to use the environment to mirror the emotional state of the artist and to create a visual metaphor for his journey. The artist transitions from his studio, to his dream, and then into the mind of a bouncy and playful child. Each transformation features a different balance of 2D and 3D elements.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

22

INFO

@kr.toons https://kayro0501.wixsite.com/mysite-1 https://vimeo.com/540756405

PROJECTS

THE NIGHT SHIFT 2D animation / Rough Animator & Procreate

STATEMENT

KAYLA RUIZ

“The Night Shift” — Lewis is a worker at his local ice cream parlor. Dealing with customers and bullies has become the norm. But now he must deal with an even bigger threat to the mascot of the shop itself.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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INFO

https://vimeo.com/541122503

PROJECTS

THE RED GUY 2D Animation

STATEMENT

PETER VARGAS “Depressed” — The red guy has a serious issue with depression and doesn’t want to get up and leave his bed. So he is consistently plagued by his dreams and nightmares — like they are trying to tell him something.

FIT GSE ’21

ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND GAME DESIGN

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www.fitnyc.edu/gse @fitgse2021_animation_game