[My education taught me the importance of] accuracy, attention to detail, speed, time-management, and meeting deadlines. [I gained a] greater understanding of 3D Max, Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere. Forest Meador , Project Manager and Internship Supervisor for M2 Studio Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Arts & Animation, 2011 , The Art Institute of Dallas, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design

Project Manager and Internship Supervisor for M2 Studio Manages Client Accounts, Coordinates Interns, 3D Modeling, Texturing, Lighting

Forest Meador is a project manager and internship supervisor for M2 Studio, an architectural, engineering, and construction visualization company in Dallas, Texas. He’s responsible for managing multiple client accounts, communicating and coordinating with clients, coordinating the efforts of and managing multiple interns, 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, compositing, animating, and postproduction editing. “Every day and every project is a new challenge. One day it's a hospital, the next an office building, the next is a church or a park. You never know what the day’s challenge will be, or what tool from your tool belt will be needed to accomplish it.” Forest is also a United States Marine Corps Veteran who earned the rank of Corporal.

Forest prioritizes his work each day and determines which tasks will be assigned to the interns and which he’ll tackle. “Once the interns arrive at work, I give them their assignments and discuss any questions they have. Throughout the day, I work on completing the projects I am currently working on, update and tally the interns’ hours for the day, update the job board with completed daily tasks, and coordinate with the rest of the M2 Studio team progress on all current projects.”

Forest prioritizes his work each day and determines which tasks will be assigned to the interns and which he’ll tackle. “Once the interns arrive at work, I give them their assignments and discuss any questions they have. Throughout the day, I work on completing the projects I am currently working on, update and tally the interns’ hours for the day, update the job board with completed daily tasks, and coordinate with the rest of the M2 Studio team progress on all current projects.”

He says that he sees the benefits of his hard work through promotions and raises. Forest has also received bonuses for completing projects. His creative workplace makes the 60-hour work weeks less stressful—and he enjoys being part of a small group where everyone can make an impact. “Last year, we were discussing the possibility of hiring another full-time employee and I recommended that we start an internship program. The bosses agreed to give it a shot. We’ve had two interns from The Art Institute of Dallas for almost a year now. They are helping us to handle all of the custom furniture we have to build for the many projects we work on, while getting great industry experience that will help them as they begin their careers.”

He says that after he graduated from The Art Institute of Dallas, he was invited to take a lead position with an upstart media company called Inspire Studio. “I was tasked with hiring and managing a team of artists to create a custom mobile video game experience. I was [also] tasked with hiring and managing a team to develop an online fitness magazine.

After six months, the upstart studio closed due to funding issues.” This experience helped him to gain insight into the business world—and taught him the need to adapt.

He recommends that current students stay focused and learn to evolve within a changing environment. “When I first came to The Art Institute of Dallas, I had never heard of (or used) any of the programs I would be introduced to. In each of my classes, there were students who had been working in these programs for years. Instead of giving up, I approached it as a challenge to become better, in a shorter time frame than my peers.”

Forest discusses a challenge he faced when hired at M2Studio. “I had never used VRay to light and render with, nor had I ever seen or used architectural plans to build 3D models from. When it comes to learning a rendering package, practice makes perfect. My bosses at M2 Studio showed me how to use the lights and cameras and challenged me to set up multiple renders for different natural lighting conditions. I practiced and practiced many different techniques for weeks until finally I felt comfortable with the software.” His bosses’ patience and openness to addressing questions helped him to become proficient with the software—now he teaches interns how to use it.

Forest, who in 2011 earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Arts & Animation from The Art Institute of Dallas, says that his education provided the tools and software knowledge he needed to succeed in his career—from 3D Max, to Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere. “We are also using Unity and Unreal now that we are expanding our production to the world of virtual reality. [My education] taught me how to be extremely adaptive to new and cross-platform programs.”