Gaming has always been a part of my life. My earliest memories were of me, my Mom and Aunt playing Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo. Shortly afterwards it was apparent that I had a talent in drawing. These two factors drove me to the decisions I have made, are making and will make concerning my future career.


As my goals were formed in my pre-adolescence, shaped in my teenage years, and implemented and developed into my adult life, I had to resolve the fact that I could not be a starving artist with a family. It was not feasible nor desirable.


I then went on to take an Advanced Graphic Design diploma. It has prepared me in ways I never thought possible: discipline, perserverance, time management, risk-taking, budget, business management and client relations. (Aside from the obvious color theory, poster design to pica measurement.)


Graduating Graphic Design in many ways was a slap in the face. I struggled, spent time away from my family, thousands of dollars down the drain, cried, fought, but accomplished to be back at square one. The starving artist, but with a hard earned degree behind me.


My options were to be a Freelance Designer with no benefits, security, nor did I have a base of clientele to work from. Or I could be a pencil sharpener for x amount of years.


Neither sounded good to me. So instead I opted to think outside the box, something we artists are apt to do. Still playing video games, having 3 consoles in the house and two computers fit with the latest MMO's, RTS's, and FPS's, I turned to my wonderful boyfriend as if coming to the obvious, yet alluding revelation and announced: "I want to be a Game Designer". To combine my passions; art and video games.


I could not simply jump right into the gaming industry, I knew I needed some formal training. I just graduated from 3D Animation with CD-ED with the goal of familiarizing myself with standard software, projects and knowledge of application through creativity.


However, what was apparent through personal research in the gaming industry was that if I wanted to shine I needed more than the hundreds if not thousands of others that were graduating at my level, also with Graphic Design or Fine Arts degrees and 3D Animation diplomas. I decided to take 3D Game Art to not only fine tune my valuable skills learned in both previous programs, but more of what the gaming industry had to offer to me as well.


While I have the ultimate goal of being a Game Designer, immersing myself in many of the disciplines of game design, I am fully aware that there are steps to take to get there. I am prepared and willing to take those steps, not only through formal education, but putting my foot in the door even as a Game Tester via prospective Design team member.


Being able to develop my portfolio further through the program is such a plus, and I am glad that I will be able to have that guidance to further my understanding. Contacting possible future employers by getting them familiarized with me, researching the company well, and marketing myself accordingly as an asset to a company is an important goal.


The most important goal that I have is to work on Massive Multiplayer Online games in the fantasy genre as a Game Designer. I want to show the gaming world my own vision of fantasy, through art styles, weapon design, fluid animation, excellent modeling and endearing game mechanics. Working for Blizzard Entertainment, although is a dream, is a dream I plan to achieve. I have gotten this far, I do not plan to stop anytime soon.