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Featured Alumni
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rendering by Tim Nargi
2007 Visual Effects & Motion Graphics graduate |
Beth Eckel
Production Designer
ClickMotive
Bachelor of Science in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics, 2006
What's Beth doing today?
Beth is designing graphics and producing video for high-profile clients including Acura, Ford, Toyota, AutoNation, and Ebay Motors. In addition, she creates motion graphics videos for The National Automobile Dealers Association Conventions (from conception to final video); develops graphics and layouts for illustrations, logos, websites and print; edits video, create motion graphics and key green screen footage for web; and reviews final designs for accuracy and suggest improvements.
Creative Inspiration
"I pull inspiration from everything I see and learn and experience. I use my creativity to translate this inspiration into physical form, using elements of design to create compositions that convey a message and speak to the viewer. Hopefully my designs are a reflection of myself. Even though I often have to design within certain guidelines, size restrictions and color palettes, I like to add some elements that are just my own. I like to use artistic and edgy elements. I like to follow trends, but I also like to create the trends."
Getting Out There
"The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale education is an opportunity to a great career path. The Visual Effects & Motion Graphics program prepares you to fit in any work environment. This is a fun career with the potential to make a lot of money. You will find great enjoyment using your creative and technical skills on a daily basis; and when those paychecks start coming in for something you love doing... it makes it all worth it!"
"This is a fun career with the potential to make a lot of money, but you must work hard and dedicate yourself. Long hours come with the territory... in school and at work" - Beth Eckel
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Kris Cabrera
Senior 3D Artist
Ingenuity Engine
Bachelor of Science in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics, 2006
Kris Cabrera graduated from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics and is currently at Ingenuity Engine in California, as a Senior 3D Artist. He is responsible to develop CGI ideas including modeling, lighting and texturing. His client list includes Mazda, Sears, Bissell, Asics, Pockerstars, and the Oscars®. His work has been featured in several online magazines.
Originally from Miami, FL, Kris was inspired to go to the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale by a friend who was already enrolled in the Graphic Design program. "I learned a skill set from college which prepared me for my profession," said Kris. "I had gained knowledge in well rounded classes which are used in the industry today, and the teachers were there to help me through it all. The teachers inspired me to push myself to higher standards. It always keeps you going when you know someone is there helping you get through it and they were great at it."
Kris advises, "You can do anything you want as long as you put your mind to it and you work hard. Upon graduating, make sure you have your mind set on exactly what you want to do in this big industry. Just keep working and be prepared to jump in. Have your demo reel ready to go and keep an open mind. Also be prepared to keep learning. As an artist I like to push myself everyday to make the impossible things work - push it to the limit. Everything I work on says something different about me. As I go into new project I go in saying wow I never thought I would be working on this, or man how I am going to handle this. You could say my work is letting me realize new things, and keeping me well rounded."
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Leslie Kajomovitz
Senior Vizrt Designer and Integration Specialist
Univision Network
Bachelor of Science in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics, 2005
Leslie made her decision to start her career path when she was two years away from graduating High School in Guatemala after attending the Art Institute's Studio 101 (Summer Program). Before graduating from the Visual Effects and Motion Graphics, producers at Univision saw Leslies potential and hired her to work as a broadcast designer for Univision Network, the leading Spanish Television Network in the US. While working at Univision Network Leslie has collaborated on the creation of electronic games used on the show "Sabado Gigante", as well as the creation of the graphics used on the 2008 US Presidential Elections, including an Interactive Touch Screen Map which where automated ensuring realtime calculations for summary results and vote count tallies, as well as instant updates for interactive maps. To achieve this she utilized Vizrt's product suite which is used by the world's leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, BBC and many world-class production houses and corporate institutions, including both the New York and London Stock Exchanges. Most recently Leslie became part of the Faculty at Broward College teaching Graphic Design and Multimedia students. Most important Leslie has become a Senior Vizrt Designer and Integration Specialist, conducting complete staff training for other broadcast design professionals around the world on the use of Vizrt products and other real time 3D and motion graphics software for TV broadcast and interactive presentations . It is very impressive how her dream that started with a summer camp has turned into a successful career.
"What stands out to me as most impressive were the tremendous technical achievements our team made in such a short period of time... Most impressive from Leslie was her foresight for the touch screen. Her efforts, allowed Univision to achieve something that would not have been possible without her. Leslie's self initiative to research this and figure out how to make it work has been admired by all." says Robin Goldstein Operations Manager Univision's Art Department, after the presidential broadcast in 2008.
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Nicolas Donel
Matte Painter
Rhythm & Hues Studios
Bachelor of Science in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics, 2007
Nicolas Donelgraduated from The Art Institute of fort Lauderdale in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Visual effects & Motion Graphics and is currentlyat Rhythm & Hues Studios in Los Angeles, California, working as a matte painter on feature film such as Cirque du Freak, Fast and Furious 4, and Night at the Museum 2. Nicolas is responsible for painting backgrounds for inclusion but also extending frame scope, removal of unwanted object within the frame, and camera mapping.
In his short time in the industry, Nicolas's experience has included Zoic Studios in Culver City where he was involved in various high profile shows such as CSI:Miami, 24, and Californication; and at Ingenuity Engine VFX in Hollywood, California, working on Disturbed's new music video Indestructible.
Originally fromParis, France, Nicolas enrolled in The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale because he wanted the program to help him turn his passion for computer arts into a profession.
"The faculty is very knowledgeable and helpful," says Nicolas, "not only in terms of academics but also in terms of real-life experience and practice. They helped me become the professional I am now."
Nicolas comments, "It's a tough world, but the visual effects industry is a fun, creative and thriving where zeal and work ethics matter. If you are willing to work and have a passion, the door is yours to open. As a matte painter our creative freedom is limited to the taste of the director. The real talent is to understand what exactly they want and transcribe their vision as accurately as possible on the screen."
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