Arts
黑料网 Graduate Student Sterling LaVigne Leads Fun, Animated Life
KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 19, 2022
Game designer, character creator, and 3D modeler graduates this spring with MA in Art and Design
黑料网 School of Art and Design鈥檚 graduate student Sterling LaVigne had inside information about the new MA in Art and Design (MAAD) degree. He first heard inklings [ahem, pun intended] of the new program as an undergraduate Digital Animation student under professors Craig Brasco and Sandee Chamberlain.
鈥淲hen I heard that the two of them were helping to create the new master鈥檚 program, I talked with them about it, and it sounded hilariously fun. I knew it would open doors for me, and I was already in love with the Digital Animation program so I knew it would be great鈥攁nd I trusted the professors,鈥� says LaVigne.
The MAAD degree allowed him to enjoy 鈥渋ncubation time on the side, to create more projects on my own. I want to teach one day, but I don鈥檛 want to go right into it. In a world where a lot of people have a bachelor鈥檚 degree, a master鈥檚 degree looks pretty good. Plus, it was super affordable, and the program is flexible.鈥�
LaVigne enjoys working in 3D modeling and animation software, as it does some of everything. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a bit unique to work in 3D, but [administrators] didn鈥檛 say no to me, although they did warn me it might be more work!鈥� says, 鈥淪terling is very cutting edge in terms of 3D modeling and animation. The work he has done in our program demonstrates those skills very well. It's been such a pleasure to have him as part of our first class of Digital Animation students in the MAAD program.鈥�
adds, 鈥淪terling always goes above and beyond in his animation studies, with a positive and productive curiosity that is needed in the entertainment arts industry; he pushes his work towards excellence in every project he tackles.鈥� He has also represented KSU well, with his work showcased during professional networking events like SIEGE Con, an annual video gaming conference hosted by the Georgia Game Developer鈥檚 Association.
He has a bit of advice for prospective students considering the Digital Animation concentration in the MAAD program. 鈥淚f you plan on going into teaching, or want to expand your portfolio, committing to two regular semesters plus the summer to get your master鈥檚 degree鈥ell, the value of that is kind of crazy!鈥� Currently, he is working on his thesis. He explains that there are two options, a traditional paper, or a project.
He laughs and says, 鈥淎nimators aren鈥檛 known for their love of writing 32-page papers! Like me, we鈥檙e all making animated shorts. This is something we started this semester, and it will carry through the entire program; we will have some write-ups, some explanations, but all of us will have a physical deliverable.鈥� The experience has also been helpful to him as an independent developer, as his demo reel of models and characters is growing by the day, mirroring the growth of the industry.
No longer are video games and animation seen specifically as entertainment to children. 鈥淭he video game market has officially surpassed Hollywood [in revenue] and makes more money than triple A movies. That鈥檚 just going to continue,鈥� explains LaVigne.
However, he鈥檚 not too worried about machines taking over anytime soon. 鈥淛ust because a computer is involved, people often think that everything is automated and done for you. If there are artistic choices to make, then humans made those choices! Very little is truly automated, and more people should know how much love is put into animated fields, particularly,鈥� he says.
He鈥檚 looking forward to the graduation ceremony and walking with his graduating class, as he missed his undergraduate graduation ceremony due to COVID-19. Since the program is synchronously online, he can鈥檛 wait to meet everyone in person. 鈥淚鈥檝e come to like all of them and can鈥檛 wait to meet everyone in person, both students and professors. I love the program and the way they take care of you if you care. If you want to be in the industry, they help you with that. They have shown a mutual effort鈥攚hich I really like鈥攂ecause it makes my efforts seem worth it. The professors really care about the well-being of their students, and they want to see you succeed.鈥�
To see more examples of Sterling LaVigne鈥檚 work, please visit his where he specializes in 鈥減ulling dreams into reality.鈥� Learn more about the MAAD program.
--Kathie Beckett
