Avengers: Infinity War, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Doctor Strange, Captain America: Civil War, The Hateful Eight, and many other cinema
After being self taught for years I had super high hopes going into design school and Platt has gone so far beyond my expectations… I felt inspired the entire way through the program and continue to be inspired as I work in the real world with their support. The staff at Platt college is highly skilled and super supportive of everything we do and teachers are always willing to do what it takes to make sure you get what you want out of a class. Because of the small class sizes students have the opportunity to ask as many questions as they want and spend a good amount of one on one time with teachers which isn’t as much of an opportunity when you go to bigger schools. Today I continue to work with an awesome team of Platt Alumni and teachers on a regular basis and thanks to Platt I have realized my dream career and make a solid living doing what I love.
Going into my 30’s and hating my direction in life, Platt College allowed me to perform a quick and seamless career change where I now love what I do, and get paid for it. Definitely one of the best life decisions I’ve made.
Don’t dismiss or forget the other skills you pick up at Platt. The VFX was what got me in the door but it was my knowledge of print design and video production that have allowed me to stay on board even after the completion of our documentary Cosplay Dreams 3D. Since the wrap up of the VFX I’ve been on several location shoots, designed a number of ads for both print and web, assisted with the motion graphics for an infomercial and I just recently started redesigning the website for the company. Can’t stress enough how important it is to be versatile as an artist in today’s market.
I chose Platt to make a career change and a big change to my life. I was given so much encouragement from the teachers, especially when things got rough working a full-time job as well as fulfilling school obligations. I found something that I love to do and was nudged in the right direction to become successful at it. I am extremely thankful for finding a great place to work even before I graduated with the help of career services. I’m very happy with my experience at Platt!
I was able to be transformed into a completely different person thanks to the knowledge that was provided by the awesome staff. I was able to be part of such an awesome creative family that pushed me in a positive way every project. To be able to be called a designer by going through Platt was a great stepping stone in my career and now I work for an amazing digital publishing company. Thank you Platt, thank you professors, thank you classmates for helping me be the professional I am today.”
Platt taught me the tools necessary to become successful in the field I wanted to pursue. The teachers were knowledgable and always lent a helping hand both while in school, and after I had graduated. I will always credit Platt for building the launch pad that will propel me to reach my future goals of becoming an animator for feature film.
I have a passion for design and Platt gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge for it. It was definitely a great stepping stone in my career. They helped me to land a job as a graphic designer before I even graduated and today I am a marketing manager for the same company. Platt’s smaller classes provides a more personal learning and any questions I had they were able to answer them. Platt definitely exceeded my expectations of what a design college should be. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone else interested in multimedia design.
Platt College San Diego is where I was able to sharpen my craft, before gaining a rewarding professional career as a designer. There’s a great sense of community there, where creatives are definitely welcomed. Even after I graduated, the staff was more than happy to help provide further guidance and accessible technology for my own personal projects. All of the instructors there are very talented and insightful. In addition, the entire staff is always available for conversation, much unlike most overpopulated universities where the students have to speak with an aid rather than the actual professor. Don’t sleep on it, Platt is a wonderful institution.
My years at Platt were some of the most important in my life. Platt helped me build the foundation that set me on the path of a career I truly love. Not everyone can say that they love their career. But Platt helped nurture a passion inside me and helped it grow into the skills I needed to succeed. Platt gave me knowledge, support, friends, and family. And I will always remember my time as a Platt Student.
The Anglo-Saxon poem “Beowulf” is often credited as one of the touchstones of old English literature with its enduring tale of the warrior-hero Beowulf, the monster Grendel, and Grendel’s dangerous and vengeful mother. Director Robert Zemeckis (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Forrest Gump) is viewed as somewhat of a legend himself for his technological innovations in cinema. Now, the centuries-old material comes face-to-face with the latest motion-capture technology in Zemeckis’s 3D computer-generated film Beowulf.
2004 B.S. in Media Arts graduate Jasun Giles (technical animator/mocap artist: Sony Pictures ImageWorks) had worked hard on the Paramount Pictures release Beowulf and is busy on his next project: Foodfight for House of Moves.
Below are Jasun’s credits:
Platt College was a great experience! The teachers were awesome and everything was hands on. The Bachelor of Media Arts Degree I earned gave me the understanding and opportunity to get my foot in the door at some pretty amazing animation companies.
Since graduating Platt College, I have worked on many different movie projects, such as: Beowulf and Monster House. And my video game projects include Conan and Timeshift.
Being a Technical Animator/MoCap Artist, I am blessed to work with many Hollywood stars. But, the most rewarding is the design teams I work with day after day.
I would personally like to thank all the teachers and new friends I have met along the way at Platt College. My eyes have been opened to a different world.
In my final year at Platt, I was added to the National Dean’s List honoring high-achieving college students nationwide. Immediately after graduating, I accepted a job at Einstein Industries designing and developing websites for some of the most acclaimed doctors and lawyers in the country. I was employed for three years while maintaining 3 personal websites: drewstauffer.com, alibiproductions.com and wildfireproductions.net. Freelance clients for these successful personal sites include The Hyatt, world-renowned photographer Brian Bielmann, and Allied Recycling, Inc.
My freelance sites have been popular enough to put me in the limelight and an advertising and marketing company in Greenville, SC contacted me. After a few months of negotiations and travels I finally accepted a position at Jackson-Dawson as an Interactive Designer. A nationally-recognized marketing firm, Jackson Marketing Groups clients include BMW, Michelin, Alemite, and many other well-known brands.
I have been living in Greenville for the past month and have started a new Search Engine Optimization department at Jackson Marketing Group in addition to my position as an Interactive Designer.
Projects: Puss in Boots, Mega Mind 3D (Starring Will Ferrell) 2010, God of War III 2010, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 2009, Hostel: Part II 2007
Originally graduated with an A.A.S. Degree in Multimedia / Animation in 1999.
Multifaceted Senior Art Director/Creative Director with extensive management and creative experience.
10 years experience in both in-house and agency environments. Well versed in all aspects of conceptual thinking, creative direction, layout and design for both print and web. I have managed projects in multi-channel environments, ensuring brand strategy paralleled design concepts.
Having worked in fast paced environments, I am comfortable managing multiple projects and design teams. A leader and team player dedicated to excellence in communication, collaboration and partnerships.
SPECIALTIES
Interactive, print, and direct advertising. Building fully-integrated digital brand experiences across all mediums. Experience managing creative teams from concept through completion of projects. Work well in both team and solo environments.
What are your favorite projects that you’ve completed in your career and why?
I have worked on several cool projects throughout my career. My favorite project was creating the seasonal in-game graphics for the San Francisco Giants. I was art director and producer of the graphics for the large video boards within the ballpark. The Giants often flew me to San Francisco for photo shoots with the players and primary Giant staff to create the openings, bumpers and player screens.
I just completed, two 5-minute videos, to demonstrate how a children’s card game is played. The client was very pleased with the work. Their comment was “the production value of what I’m seeing is phenomenal!”
What was your greatest success?
Well, winning two Emmy Awards was a great honor however knowing that a client is happy and extremely satisfied is more rewarding than any award.
What has been your key (or keys) to success?
Understanding to be a good designer you need to have not only the design skills but you also need great communication skills/values. Part of communication is listening. ALWAYS listen to the client. If you listen to what your client is trying to accomplish you will save yourself an incredible amount of time during production.
Secondly, don’t take your job personally. Take criticism as way to grow and not as an attack or insult. It is just business.
Any advice for students of PCSD?
Never stop learning and updating your skill set. New techniques will expand your vision and knowledge.
Have you met any celebrities in your line of work?
When Los Angeles was making a bid for a team (when are they not) my previous company and I were working on a presentation to the City Counsel and NFL owners. I was able to chat with Al Davis (Oakland Raiders Owner) for awhile.
Any advice for students coming out of Platt College San Diego?
Stay on top of your technological skills. It is a continuing education type of field. Never become complacent with your skills.
How did you end up in your current position?
Back in 1995, while still attending PCSD, I was hired by Thomas Powell (Founder of Pint, Inc.) to do some design and illustration work. Over time my roll at Pint, Inc. grew from a Graphic Designer to Creative Director and now I am a Partner.
Who is your most visible client?
For over six years, PINT, Inc. has been fortunate enough to work with the Central Garden & Pet Company (www.central.com). Central Garden & Pet have multiple consumer brands on the pet and garden side including Nylabone, TFH, Kaytee, Super Pet, Pennington Seed, and many more. Their products are found in stores such as Petco, PetSmart, True Value, and Home Depot.
Anything particularly ‘cool’ about the Central Garden & Pet web site?
One of the coolest parts of this project is that there are so many sites. While the corporate site gets to remain, well, corporate, the different brands can take on their own personalities. Super Pet (www.superpetusa.com) is primarily for kids and uses a lot of bright colors with green-screened video of animals interacting with the layout. Zilla used some animal animation as well but was much more reptilian with snakes slithering across the page. When you are talking about everything from cats and dogs, to tropical fish and reptiles, to birds and small animals, it gives you a lot of different things to try out. I think my dog just liked the fact that she got a bunch of free toys and treats!
What was the biggest challenge with the Central Garden & Pet Project?
It’s probably the same thing that made the project so much fun, the number of different sites. Trying to give all of the different brands their own unique style, content and layout, while having them all tied to the same back-end systems with the same functionality. Meeting the business goals while giving all the different brand managers what they wanted visually is always a challenge.
Any advice for students of PCSD?
While the students are still in school they should visit their career services department. They can help the student find internships, freelance work or a job. Even if the internship or freelance work does not pay, it will pay them back two-fold. All employers have seen the same class projects before. Professional projects in a student’s portfolio are invaluable. It shows dedication and the ability to work outside the school environment. Besides, some internships or freelance work turn into a job position for the student. It is their foot-in-the-door. That is what happened to me.
Have you met any celebrities in your travels for work?
Growing up in San Diego, I have always been a huge San Diego Padres fan. So, when I was working on a San Diego Padres project I met 12-time All-Star player David Winfield. He was a completely nice guy.
Any suggestions for the current students at PCSD?
Feel passionate about your career and projects. Do what you love. This is not an industry that you just fall into because you have to. It is the type of career that you consider as your life, not a job.
What projects have you worked on for Trion World?
I mostly work on the in-game Cinematics, tutorials and mission videos. I also create marketing videos for Rift, End of Nations and Defiance.
Anything particularly “cool” about the job?
I get paid! Besides money, I have the ability to be creative and produce high-end Cinematics and cut scenes for video games.
Have you met any celebrities as a result of your work?
I sure have. I have met Christopher Lee, Mark Hammill, Jim Lee, Tony Hawk and Curt Schilling.
Any advise for students of PCSD?
It is important to get along with everyone you work with. You may run into them again. Secondly, Internships, internships, internships. Lastly, never stop learning.
What game titles have you worked on for Sony Computer Entertainment America and Neversoft?
The games that the San Diego branch of SCEA mainly developed were the NBA and MLB franchises for PS2, PS3 and PSP consoles. I have been working on the NBA franchise since 2001. In 2006, we changed the franchise name for the NBA product from NBA ShootOut to NBA. My next project is for Activision. If I tell you what it is I will have to kill you.
Here is a list of the specific game titles I worked on:
- Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock & Guitar Hero 5
- Band Hero
- NBA: ′09 The Inside (PSP & PS3)
- NBA: ′07-′08 (PS3)
- NBA: ′06-′08 (PSP, PS2)
- NBA: ShootOut 2001-2005 (PS2)
What is the environment like at Neversoft Entertainment?
It is an awesome work environment with great people. There are free drinks, as well as, free lunch Monday thru Thursday. Most Friday′s everyone takes a couple of hours to play test the current title we are working on. While designing the UI for Guitar Hero we often saturated ourselves with Rock and Roll music, imagery and movies. The motto at Neversoft is “work hard, play hard, and party hard.”
Have you met any celebrities as a result of your work?
Plenty!!! When I was working for Sony Computer Entertainment America, I attended the NBA Shoot Out Celebrity Tournament event and hung out with Snoop Dogg and various celebrities such as: Tia Carrera, Trey Parker, Matt Stone (South Park), Vin Diesel, Wilder Valderrama, and Danny Masterson (That 70′s Show). I also met Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) at the E3 Sony party.
Working at Neversoft we meet all sorts of famous musicians too. I experienced No Doubt perform and met Taylor Swift while they were in the studio for their Motion Capture sessions for Band Hero. I also got to see a private concert featuring Soundgarden for the release party of Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.
Any advise for students of Platt College San Diego?
Learn as much as you can, be adaptable, be open to change and continue to expand upon your skills away from school. Also, network and learn from your fellow classmates is a key element in furthering your skills and your overall future.
Originally graduated with an A.A.S. Degree in Multimedia / Animation in 1994.