Larry Hendrix

Communication is the key to completing any project. Larry Hendrix , Instructor , The Art Institute of Houston

Academic Credentials

B.A., Advertising Art, Prairie View A&M University

15 years' experience as founder, 3D artist and animator for Revelation Interactive; lead instructor at Digital Media Academy; faculty member at Houston Community College; member of International Game Developers' Association (IGDA) and coordinator of Houston Global Game Jam since 2012.

What would you say is the defining moment in your life when you knew you were destined to become a creative professional?

I was a creative person since I was a child, so it came naturally for me. It was when I started learning 3D applications that I discovered what I wanted to do for a living.

How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience to provide an industry veteran's sense of the realities / challenges / opportunities of the profession?

You have to immediately inform students of the pitfalls and the lessons learned within the industry. Passion can’t be taught, but it can be inspired.  

Is there a class assignment that exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring? Similarly, how does your approach inspire each student to push themselves beyond their own perceived limits?

Within the Introduction to Game Development course, students are required to produce a simple game. This assignment is designed to teach the difficulties of game development while, at the same time, gives the student the opportunity to “finish” a project.

What role does collaboration contribute to students' success, especially when students from other programs contribute to the same project?

Working with other disciplines is a life lesson that is very important in the game industry. Communication is the key to completing any project.

In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you impart to your students to help them succeed in your class and in the real world? Alternatively, what is the most critical advice you would offer any student as he / she embarks on a creative career?

You have to want to do this for “fun.” It has to be “who you are.” All of the successful game developers are passionate about what they do. You also have to understand that you are competing with the whole world for that position in game making. Being able to sell yourself and network is also very important.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you, your experience, or your role as a faculty member at The Art Institutes?

Anyone can ask my advice or questions no matter who they are or what field they want to go into, and I’ll do my best to help them in any way I can.