"I am of the school of thought of not interfering with nature," says Monica Valle (B.F.A., architecture, 2020).

If Valle's statement sounds antithetical to the very idea of the built environment, it is essential to a new design discipline called Bioplanning.

On a misty Tuesday afternoon in New York City, Valle sat to discuss her work as project manager at Supernature Labs. Supernature is "not a design studio," she emphasizes, but a start-up that is both "a marketing agency for licensing ecological products" — foremost the dwelling called the Supercell — and a non-profit engaged with research and education.

"What we want to do with Supernature Labs is create systematic change in the way that we build our communities," she says. This means moving on from the boxlike structures that dominate architecture globally into shapes based on nature, "a geometrical shift into Bioplanning."

A native of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Valle lived through her country's 2009 coup d'état and the consequences inflicted on a nation and its people. That experience eventually informed her studies at SCAD, where the architecture faculty inculcated "my fascination with the policy issues behind master planning and urban development, and the social advocacy issues that go with it."

As SCAD architecture professor Scott Singeisen says: "Monica's work at SCAD indicated the high level of expertise that she brings to her professional career. Her vision and commitment allow her to translate solutions for world housing, while advancing architectural conversations around sustainability and culture. This is important work."

The work will happen on a global stage this November at COP 28 in Dubai. Supernature Labs founder and CEO Dror Benshetrit — who came to Savannah last month to speak at SCADstyle 2023 — will deliver the Bioplanning Open Report to global leaders during the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The report includes research-based policy recommendations that, per Supernature's precis, "[will] save enormous resources and energy and create a better future for both inhabitants and the natural environment."

As Valle explains: "Supernature is focused on the collaboration between industries, while giving a platform for architectural talent in emerging markets in different countries—Indonesia, South Africa, Morocco—to bring their own perspectives to what the architectural dialect can look like. Our Cop 28 activation will provide a global platform for us to invite talent to participate in the movement."

As the afternoon's conversation about her work winds down, Valle adds, almost as an afterthought,  "Oh, and I'd like to invite you to my pop-up this weekend."

A three-day collaboration between Estudio Valle and Kajal New York, "reframe" is a showroom and installation presented by Valle with fellow alum Kajal Goel (B.F.A., fashion, 2019).

"Our installation is a play on how we consume garments, and the relationship between patterns of consumption in fashion and in architecture," Monica says.

Thinking outside the box? By creating a world of positive possibility, Valle is reshaping it entirely.

Sometimes a playground only needs a lick of paint. Sometimes it gets an epic vibrant mural by an esteemed alumni artist, transforming the lives of loca students.

Hodge Elementary, pre-mural.

Last week the "Paint Our Parks" SCAD SERVE public art initiative returned with a brilliant large-scale mural enlivening the playground at Sarah Mills Hodge Elementary School on Clinch Street in Savannah.

Joe Dreher (B.A., architecture, 1993) designed the mural at Hodge Elementary. The Atlanta-based artist, architect, photographer, and poet is known for recently designing and painting beloved murals in Midtown Atlanta.

SCAD SERVE mural at Hodge Elementary.

"As murals become more accepted and desirable in public space, the opportunities for new locations have increased, and I am excited for this opportunity to paint a basketball court," said Dreher. "I am inspired by the young people of the next generation, our future problem-solvers. I want my work to be about the people and places where the murals will continue to exist after I have come and gone."

Paint Our Parks is a unique university initiative envisioned by President Paula Wallace focused on serving the citizens of Savannah and Atlanta through SCAD's talented network of students and alumni. Since the initiative launched in fall 2021, five playgrounds, basketball courts, and other recreational spaces have been painted in Atlanta.  This is the second playground mural in the Savannah area. The first was painted at Coastal Middle School in Fall 2022.

This public arts beautification project was developed in partnership with the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. SCAD contributed funds for the restoration of the elementary school playground's court surface, and towards the creation of the larger-than-life mural.

Dreher's design was inspired by Hodge students. Using a process he calls "portrait partners," Dreher leads the kids in drawing each other as he draws with them. "I use the results to generate a composition full of color and shape," he explains. "It reads like an abstraction from a distance, and up-close reveals the faces of the students. The faces are meant to be a likeness and represent more than one individual. Many of the students look and say, "That's me!" That is exactly the point."

"My hope is that the process illustrates to students and staff and parents and the community that with some intention and a little hard work and organization you can make a change that will bring more joy and excitement to their lives."

More than 100 SCAD SERVE students, faculty, and staff volunteered. Starting on April 17, volunteers contributed more than 360 hours to this project, using more than 150 gallons of special acrylic paint.

"It's amazing to have this artwork by a SCAD artist displayed in front of our school because it depicts who we are as a school community," said Hodge principal Yvette Wells. "The concept of the mural represents the faces of our student population and creates a sense of belonging."

Hodge Elementary School Principal Yvette Wells and artist Joe Dreher.

Paint Our Parks is a community-focused initiative whereby SCAD students, alumni and faculty realize shared visions of positivity, wellness and joy to uplift local neighborhoods. SCAD SERVE will continue working with local schools, civic and community leaders bringing these thrilling murals to deserving communities and neighborhoods.

Learn more about SCAD SERVE.

While the forecast called for rain, Sidewalk Arts 2023 was a shining success. On Saturday, April 22, the 42nd edition of the beloved festival—the pinnacle of SCAD Family and Alumni Weekend—made Forsyth Park the place to be. Nearly 1,000 SCAD students, alumni, and local high school students created chalk compositions in a profusion of Bee-tific inspiration.

A highlight of SCAD Family and Alumni Weekend!

"Once again, the SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival brought students, guests, and our Savannah neighbors together in a beloved celebration of the creative spirit,” said President Paula Wallace. "Our Bees chalked every color of the rainbow across the pathways of Forsyth Park. Pure exuberance, elevated and underfoot!”

Prizes were given for Best of Show, SCAD Alumni Spirit, SCAD Student Spirit, Student Individual, Student Group, Graduate Student, Alumni, and High School divisions. In addition to the chalk art, alumni artist Abigail Tankersley (B.F.A., fibers, 2022) installed a breathtaking sculpture on the west side of the park near the fountain which appeared to traverse the earth.

SCAD's elite performance ensemble The Bee Sharps and SCAD alum and American Idol winner Candice Glover delivered a rousing concert featuring songs from legends like Gladys Knight, James Brown, and Outkast.

When the rains finally came, the festival had just finished, and the judging was complete. As the chalk artworks sluiced from the squares, it was a reminder of the nature of impermanence. Except for the winners, whose names will remain in the SCAD record forever.

SCAD Student Spirit Award: Jebrulo!
Sofia Denise (B.F.A., animation)
Otavio Santos De Albuquerque (B.F.A., illustration)
Jon Fackler (B.F.A., sequential art)
Arana Vazquez (B.F.A., illustration)
Alex Volkov (B.F.A., illustration)

SCAD Alumni Spirit Award
Lexi Mangieri (B.F.A., illustration, 2019)

Best of Show
Will Penny  (M.F.A., painting, 2013; B.F.A., painting, 2008)

Graduate Student Award
Junwei Huang (M.F.A., sequential art)

SCAD Student First Place
Yilan Zhang (B.F.A., animation)

SCAD Student Runner-Up
Parker Schovanec (B.F.A., painting)

SCAD Students (group) First Place: Slayers
Katriella Britt (B.F.A., visual effects)
Charlotte O’Dell (B.F.A., production design)
Julia Paiewonsky (B.F.A., animation)

SCAD Students (group) Runner-Up: Immersive Reality Club
Jacob Alexander (B.F.A., immersive reality)
Christian Wheeler (B.F.A., immersive reality)
Andrea Castro Yaines (B.F.A., user experience design)
Kushi Dharien Bhatt (B.F.A., immersive reality)
Jesse Fazzini (B.F.A., immersive reality)

SCAD Alumni First Place
Kaitlin Westbrook (B.F.A., industrial design, 2020)

SCAD Alumni Runner-Up
Britt Spencer (professor of illustration; M.F.A., painting, 2011; B.F.A., illustration, 2005) 

High School Student Award
Catherine Bock, First Place
Maya Eurich, Second Place
Kyrin Fox, Third Place

Chalk art by first place High School Award winner Catherine Bock.

Sidewalk Arts Festival 2023 was sponsored by Savannah Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Bon Appetit, Collins Quarter, Ex Libris, Sunstates Security, First Transit, The Kicklighter Company, Yates-Astro, and Brightview Landscaping. Read the event coverage in Connect Savannah, and review the full gallery of winners. See you next year!

"Design can't be at the sidelines anymore, it has to be integrated into business solutions," said Feifei Sun (B.F.A., advertising, 2008), igniting a conversational thread during Hive Mind: SCAD Grads Creating Buzz at SCADstyle on Tuesday.

Hosted by professor of business of beauty and fragrance Wendy Ogden (B.F.A., graphic design, 1994), the event brought Sun and fellow alumni Meghan Preiss B.F.A., industrial design, 2017; B.F.A., service design, 2017) and Hannah Harris (B.F.A., business of beauty and fragrance, 2022) back to SCAD to discuss their creative careers.

"It's incredible to see the growing resources that students have access to," remarked Preiss, mentioning both SCADamp and the new XR stage/LED volume. The motto "Once a Bee, always a Bee" took on renewed resonance in the SCAD MOA Theater as the alumni shared their experiences.

Sun, who works as executive editor of brand communications at McKinsey & Company, said: "I studied advertising at SCAD, and one of the most impactful things was how many real-world projects we got to experience. Senior year we participated in a contest to create a campaign for Coke that was judged by Coke executives—and we won. When I got into the real world, that engagement with companies while I was at SCAD proved immediately applicable."

"I got my first internship from SCADstyle," said Harris, the visionary creator of Brown Girls Hands, and currently brand marketing coordinator at Summer Fridays. "Freshman year, I interviewed one of the guests [Stacie Brockman of Métier Creative] for SCAD Manor. She was hiring interns and I got to go to New York for the summer and I ended up interning with one of their clients, MERIT Beauty. I've found one opportunity always leads to the next."

Guided by Ogden, the panel touched on topics including sustainability at the corporate level, the enduring relevance of Photoshop, and the meaning of an Instagram "nail budget." All three alumni seemed to wear their successes lightly, yet each revealed how they have reassessed their personality types (the words "extremely shy" and "total alpha" were used) to grow in the professional world. This relatability enhanced the panel's power.

Preiss, manager of CX integration design strategy, Delta Air Lines, encouraged students to realize "our superpower as designers": "Think about all the workshops and ideation you do where people disagree, and how you bring them all together. Having that superpower maybe doesn't feel important while you're in art school where everybody has it, but when you go into the business world and get a finance [person], a policy[maker] and an engineer to align on a sustainability issue, you are a hero."

"If you can translate creativity into their language, that helps a lot," agreed Harris.

As Sun said: "One real value of being at SCAD is learning how to think and solve problems, because that's where versatility comes from."

As the rapt capacity audience — including President Paula Wallace — applauded in agreement, everyone felt inspired to keep on stylin'.

SCAD is proud to announce the contributions of over 150 alumni who have contributed their talents to films nominated for the 95th Academy Awards®. This year, SCAD alumni contributed to a total of 18 films that received nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

These talented SCAD Bees represent a variety of top-ranked degree programs, including animation, visual effects, film and television, production design, sound design, dramatic writing, sequential art, illustration, architecture, interactive design and game development, fashion, painting, photography, and furniture design. Thirty alumni who worked on 2023 nominated films also contributed to 2022 Oscar-nominated films.

Six SCAD alumni contributed to best picture nominee Everything Everywhere All at Once. Art director Amelia Brooke (B.F.A., film and television, 2008) created the look of the film, which is nominated for 11 Oscars including best picture, costume design, directing, film editing, original score, original song, and screenplay. Five sound design alumni also worked on the film, testament to the fact that SCAD is the only university to both offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs in sound design.

"I am thrilled to see this year's incredible roster of talented alumni who are continuing to be a force in Hollywood, contributing to the biggest movies of the year," said Andra Reeve-Rabb, dean of the SCAD School of Film and Acting. "Our alumni are able to transition from the classroom to professional productions seamlessly, thanks to our cutting-edge filmmaking facilities, state of the art software and equipment, and mentorship by Oscar-winning professors. Many of my former students are collaborating on extraordinary films that entertain and impact audiences across the world."

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, nominated for best visual effects, makeup and hairstyling, and costume design includes 29 SCAD alumni credits, including lead visual effects artist Adam Wagner (M.F.A., film and television, 2018) and speciality costume fabricator Lindsay Hamilton (B.F.A., fashion, 2013). Avatar: The Way of Water, nominated for best picture, sound, visual effects, and production design, includes 22 SCAD alumni credits, including visual effects supervisor Austin Bonang (B.F.A., computer art, 2005) and senior compositor Brittany Piacente (B.F.A., animation, 2012).

Notably, SCAD alumni worked on all five films nominated for best animated feature: Turning Red, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, The Sea Beast, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

"From visual effects to costume design, SCAD alumni are always at the forefront of creative practice, working together to create ground-breaking cinematic experiences for audiences around the world," said Danyl Bartlett, dean of the School of Animation and Motion. "These nominations are testament to their hard work, and to the guidance and exceptional learning experiences provided by SCAD faculty. It is a joy to see SCAD alumni receive recognition from the Academy."

Congratulations to the students and alumni who contributed to this year's Oscar-nominated films:

Aaron McGriff (B.F.A., animation, 2005) Top Gun: Maverick
Abby Thomas (B.F.A., dramatic writing, 2017) Babylon
Adam Wagner (M.F.A., film and television, 2018) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Adnan Hussain (B.F.A., computer art, 2000) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Agnes Asplund (M.F.A., visual effects, 2012) Living
Aiden (Jangyong) Lee (M.A., animation, 2019) Avatar: The Way of Water
Alex Andrade (B.F.A., visual effects, 2019) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Alexander Snow (B.F.A., animation, 2009) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Allyssa Hill (B.F.A., animation, 2000) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Amba Moore (B.F.A., animation, 2000) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Amelia Brooke (B.F.A., film and television, 2008) Everything Everywhere All At Once
Andrew Finley (B.F.A. visual effects, 2015) Turning Red
Andrew Stadler (B.F.A., animation, 2022) The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Andrew Twite (B.F.A., sound design, 2006) Everything Everywhere All At Once
Andy Lin (B.F.A., animation, 2008) Turning Red
Annie Taylor (M.A., sound design, 2019) Blonde
Anthony Chappina (M.A., visual effects, 2008) The Batman
Arturo Espinoza Cruz (B.F.A., 2016) Top Gun: Maverick
Ashley Trawick (M.F.A., animation, 2015) The Batman
Austin Bonang (B.F.A., computer art, 2005) Avatar: The Way of Water
Austin Kemp (B.F.A., film and television, 2018) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Ben Watson (M.F.A., animation, 2008) Avatar: The Way of Water
Brent Kiser (B.F.A., sound design, 2006) Everything Everywhere All At Once
Brian Freesh (B.F.A., video and film, 2005) Babylon
Brian McCann (B.F.A., visual effects, 2010) The Batman
Bridget Underwood (B.F.A., animation, 2012) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Brittany Piacente (B.F.A., animation, 2012) Avatar: The Way of Water
Bryanna London (B.F.A., visual effects, 2013) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Camryn Miller (B.F.A., animation, 2021) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Carmen Wong (M.F.A., visual effects, 2014) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Carol Madrigal (B.F.A., computer art, 2002) Avatar: The Way of Water
Casey Seabolt (B.F.A., visual effects, 2019) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Catlin Scroggie (B.F.A., animation, 2015) The Sea Beast
Chad Woelki (M.F.A., visual effects, 2009) Avatar: The Way of Water
Charles Cronkrite (B.F.A., animation, 2012) The Sea Beast
Chris Freihofer (M.F.A., animation, 2017) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; The Batman
Chris Wood (B.F.A., visual effects, 2020) The Whale
Craig Bilodeau (B.F.A., video, 1994) The Fabelmans
Dan Bollwerk (visual effects) Avatar: The Way of Water
Danny Barnhart (B.F.A., visual effects, 2018) Turning Red
Darren Sumich (B.F.A., animation, 2006) Avatar: The Way of Water
Dave Hale (B.F.A., visual effects, 2009) Turning Red
David Lewis (M.F.A., visual effects, 2012) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
David Tennyson Thompson (B.F.A., film and television, 2018) Top Gun: Maverick
Derek Underwood (M.A., film and television, 2009) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Diana Ulzheimer (B.F.A., film and television, 2004) The Fabelmans
Diane Dwyer (B.F.A., production design, 2015) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Don Kim (B.F.A., animation, 2020) Avatar: The Way of Water
Dumaine Babcock (B.F.A., film and television, 2017) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Elyssa Houser (B.F.A., visual effects, 2020) The Whale
Emily D. Myers (B.F.A., animation, 2007) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Emily Wimer (B.F.A., visual effects, 2018) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
George Watson (B.F.A., film and television, 2014) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Hannah Bragdon (B.F.A., film and television, 2021) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Hiro Ren (B.F.A, visual effects, 2018) The Sea Beast
Hosuk Chang (M.A., visual effects, 2008) Turning Red
Ian Chase (B.F.A., sound design, 2017) Everything Everywhere All At Once
Isabella Herrera (M.F.A., film and television, 2021) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Ivory Stanton (B.F.A., painting, 1992) Avatar: The Way of Water
Jackie Nash (B.F.A., animation, 2017) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Jacob Flack (B.F.A., sound design, 2014) Everything Everywhere All At Once
James Spadafora (M.A., visual effects, 2017) The Batman
Jameson Everett (B.F.A., film and television, 2016) Babylon; Blonde; Top Gun: Maverick
Jangwoo Choi (M.F.A., computer art, 2003) The Batman
Jason Mayer (M.F.A., computer art, 2004) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Jayda Cardoza (B.F.A., film and television, 2020) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Jeannine Kernisan (B.F.A., animation, 2015) The Batman
Jedediah Voltz (B.F.A., sequential art, 2002) Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Jennifer Ely (illustration) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Jeremy Carroll (B.F.A., visual effects, 2006) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Jess Escamillas (sequential art) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Jinguang Huang (M.A., visual effects, 2017) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Jocelyn Cofer (B.F.A., animation, 2009) The Sea Beast
John Harton (B.F.A, sound design, 2015) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Johnathan Nixon (B.F.A., visual effects, 2007) Avatar: The Way of Water
Jon Hartman (B.F.A., animation, 2014) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Jordan Law (B.F.A., fashion, 2013) Babylon
Jordan Rempel (B.F.A., visual effects, 2009) Turning Red
Josh Evans (B.F.A., visual effects, 2013) The Sea Beast
Joshua T.M. Matthews (B.F.A., visual effects, 2017) Avatar: The Way of Water
Josiah Holmes Howison (B.F.A., visual effects, 2004) The Batman
Julie Diaz (B.F.A., sound design, 2016) Everything Everywhere All At Once
Jurasama Arunchai (M.A., production design, 2010) The Whale
Justin Holt (B.F.A., visual effects, 2006) Top Gun: Maverick
Katie Lathrop (B.F.A., animation, 2020) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Katie Olson (M.F.A., animation, 2016) The Sea Beast
Keith Anderson (B.F.A., visual effects, 2011) The Batman
Kirsten Yamaguchi (M.F.A., animation, 2009) Avatar: The Way of Water; Turning Red
Kristen Eggleston (B.F.A., visual effects, 2013) Avatar: The Way of Water
Lauren Stewart (B.F.A., film and television, 2007) The Fabelmans
Leslie Castiblanco (B.F.A., fashion, 2020) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Lia Towers (B.F.A., film and television, 2011) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Lindsay Hamilton (B.F.A., fashion, 2013) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Lindsey Langston (B.F.A., animation, 2007) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Luci Leary (B.F.A., furniture design, 1997) Causeway
Lyle Nagy (B.F.A., illustration, 2010) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Mallory Mahar (M.A., animation, 2011) The Sea Beast
Marc Casey (B.F.A., film and television, 2009) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Marley Mountcastle (B.F.A., film and television, 2014) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Maxwell Austin (B.F.A., visual effects, 2021) The Whale
Meredith O'Malley (B.F.A., animation, 2018) Turning Red
Michael Howell (B.F.A., film and television, 2011) Causeway
Michelle Gao (B.F.A., visual effects, 2015) The Sea Beast
Mikail Ekiz (B.F.A., animation, 2019) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Miyako Yamamoto (B.F.A., animation, 2019) Top Gun: Maverick
Naomi Wiener (B.F.A., animation, 2017) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Neil Helm (B.F.A., animation, 2017) Turning Red
Nicholas Leone (B.F.A., film and television, 2010) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Nick Caramela (B.F.A., sound design, 2015) Causeway
Nick DeMaioribus (B.F.A., animation, 2019) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Nicole Keane (B.F.A., visual effects, 2013) Avatar: The Way of Water
Peter Kerkvliet (B.F.A., animation, 2021) Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Philip Fraschetti (M.F.A., visual effects, 2007) Avatar: The Way of Water; The Batman
Praveen Kumar Mani (M.A., film and television, 2021) The Batman
Rebecca Baker (B.F.A, animation, 2019) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Renee Tam (B.F.A., computer art, 2003) Turning Red
Robert Bryce Milburn (B.F.A., photography, 2011) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Ryan Bowden (B.F.A., visual effects, 2009) Avatar: The Way of Water
Ryan Duhaime (B.F.A., visual effects, 2007) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Samuel Alicea (B.F.A., animation, 2007) The Batman
Sara Beth Bennett (M.F.A., film and television, 2014) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Seona Hwang (M.A., visual effects, 2014) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Seth Cobb (B.F.A., computer art, 2003) Top Gun: Maverick
Sharmishtha Sohoni (M.A., computer art, 2000) Avatar: The Way of Water
Shaun Galinak (B.F.A., visual effects, 2009) Turning Red
Shravani Kulkarni (B.F.A., animation, 2020) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Sofia Hernandez (B.F.A., animation, 2019) Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Solomon Ching Yu Wong (B.F.A., visual effects, 2017) Avatar: The Way of Water
Sophie Maurath (B.F.A., film and television, 2021) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 
Stefania Cancemi (M.A., animation, 2016) Elvis
Steven Schweickart (M.F.A., computer art, 2004) The Sea Beast
Tanner Owen (B.F.A., animation, 2005) Avatar: The Way of Water; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 
Taylor Aseere (B.F.A., animation, 2017) The Batman
Taylor Hasting (B.F.A., visual effects, 2014) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Travis Nobles (B.F.A., computer art, 2003) Avatar: The Way of Water
Tyler Britton (B.F.A., visual effects, 2015) Top Gun: Maverick
Van Franklin (M.F.A., interactive design and game development, 2014) Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Victor Makali (B.F.A., visual effects, 2015) Top Gun: Maverick
Viki Chan (B.F.A., video and film, 2004) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Vincent Bates (M.Arch, 2013) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Virginia Berg (M.F.A., production design, 2015) Avatar: The Way of Water
William Maizel (B.F.A., production design, 2017) Babylon
Yolande Thame (M.F.A., production design, 2014) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Zach Parrish (B.F.A., animation, 2007) The Sea Beast

If you are aware of a name missing from this list, please email information (Name, Degree, Film) to [email protected].

"So, what are you going to do next, superstar?" asks gaunt, troubled Darius of his singing, dancing brother Elijah in the ultimate moment of "Key of See," written and directed by Manni "Festo" Simon (M.F.A., sound design, 2022). The nimble, 15-minute film resonates like an epic, its depiction of a fraught family complemented by Simon's sound design and musical compositions—including Elijah's blistering raps.

On February 26, Manni will walk into the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles as a nominee at the 70th Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) Golden Reel Awards. The Montclair, New Jersey native is vying for the Verna Fields Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing (Student Film) for "Key of See," his SCAD master's thesis. As supervising sound editor, Simon shares the nod with Foley artists Conor Van Slyke (M.F.A., sound design) and George Allan (M.F.A., sound design).

"The film is based on experiences with my brother and my family as a whole," Simon says. "A big thank you to SCAD for offering Bee Well mental health counseling to all students. I began seeing a counselor right around the time I started writing the script for 'Key of See,' and that really helped with the memories I was exploring."

The film tells the story of an aspiring rapper processing trauma through music while sparring with his miscreant sibling.  Tense, funny, and sad—with stunning musical sequences and narrative twists—the work is worthy of a vastly more experienced screenwriter, never mind a sound designer who decided to direct. "The idea was in my head and I had to get it out," Manni says, simply.

"With 'Key of See,' Manni has made a terrific audio-visual storytelling experience," says sound design professor Matthew Akers. "He put his soul into every moment. I tell my students to make opportunities for themselves and not wait for chances to be offered. As a sound designer, Manni took that advice to heart. He inspired a great group of filmmaking collaborators and created the perfect opportunity for them all to shine."

The process began with Manni coming to SCAD. In 2017, he graduated from college in New England and moved to Brooklyn, where he worked in technical production on off-Broadway shows. He connected with Carson Lewis (M.F.A., sound design, 2020), "who told me about SCAD, in this great mythical place called Savannah, which to me in New York might as well have been Mars."

During the pandemic, with live sound jobs shut down, Manni applied to SCAD and was offered a scholarship. He hopped in his car and drove straight to the Georgia coast, arriving in time for spring quarter, 2021.

"I started out taking [electives in] art history and cinema studies, which was cool—like, before we get into sound design, let's talk about what art is and what cinema is," Manni says. "That helped when that summer I took Theory and Practice in Sound Design (SNDS 729) with the great professor Rob Bridges and began to conceive of 'Key of See.'"

Manni mentions one of his favorite classes, Surround Sound for Media (SNDS 776) with sound design professor Robin Beauchamp, where he learned how to mix in 7.1 surround sound and Atmos, and "make it sound good." "Professor Beauchamp showed us how to use the audio board, which was intense and technical. He told us our artistry would appear once we knew how to use the board. He said, 'Come with a pencil and pad. Take notes. No exceptions.'"

An adherence to precision is manifest in Manni's movie. Simon cites shot design influences from the first season of Breaking Bad (2008), Spike Lee's Malcolm X (1992), and Cab Calloway's performance in Stormy Weather (1943). "Key of See" achieves excellence through synthesis.

Posed the question from his own film ("So, what are you going to do next, superstar?"), Manni grins. He is currently employed full-time at Standard as lead audio engineer for streaming service Nebula, working on popular travel vlog "Jet Lag: The Game." "That being said, I'm starting to write a script, and cook up a production for my own next project." In the meantime, an award ceremony in Los Angeles awaits.

"Key of See" is screening at film festivals and coming to a streaming service soon. Witness the work of Manni Simon.

In her second quarter as a SCAD Atlanta faculty member, sequential art professor Shadia Amin (M.F.A., sequential art, 2019; B.F.A., sequential art, 2015) has quickly become a student favorite. Pre-class Spongebob-singalongs and stories about manhwa artist Kim Jung Gi are certainly fun factors, but as Amin says, "Being a cool professor doesn't matter if the students don't feel they've learned a lot. I make sure they come away from class prepared."

Growing up in Barranquilla, Colombia, Amin was "an anime kid" who drew mostly to entertain friends at school, inspired by the Sunday color comics insert in El Heraldo. She considered taking graphic design classes at her local college and was "not focused on a career." After completing an International Baccalaureate program however, Shadia met a SCAD recruiter who suggested a degree in sequential art, and the path towards receiving a scholarship. She arrived in Savannah in 2010 to begin her SCAD journey.

The world's first university to offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in sequential art nurtured excellence in Amin. After completing her B.F.A., she drew professionally for two years before returning to earn her masters. Her subsequent success as an artist and illustrator on Scholastic/Marvel's Spider-Ham, Oni Press and Lion Forge's Aggretsuko, and the popular Comics Kingdom strip Olive & Popeye elevated her visibility as a penciler, inker, and colorist. Last fall she again returned to SCAD—this time to teach the next generation.

"We're delighted to have Prof. Shadia Amin on board in Atlanta," says associate chair of sequential art Pat Quinn. "Her commitment to enhancing the SCAD student experience through her own professional endeavors has opened the eyes of many of our students. Her notable work in comics means that as a cartoonist and professor, she brings a lot to the proverbial table."

Last November, Amin drove to Savannah for an in-store appearance at Neighborhood Comics, where she signed copies of "Spider-Ham: Hollywood May-Ham," sequel to the hit "Spider-Ham: Great Power, No Responsibility." Notorious for her visual gags and puns, Amin pointed out that the graphic novel includes a character drawn in tribute to late, great SCAD professor (and long-time Spider-Man artist) Tom Lyle. "He was an important professor for me personally, and we miss him very much," she says.

Amin embodies the essence of SCAD family: students and professors connecting with open hearts to keep the wheel turning. In the 2022-23 academic year, Amin is teaching courses including Drawing for Illustrators (ILLU 714) and Illustrating Beyond the Page: The Narrative Experience (ILLU 309). During Anatomy and Perspective for Sequential Art (SEQA 707), she realized her students were aided "by me going through their work and demonstrating how to correct it. We work on tablets, and I show them how to divide the body to create proportion. When they see what I'm doing, they are able to do better work themselves."

Isn't this privileged information? Shouldn't an M.F.A. come with an NDA?

"Teaching is not gate-keeping," Prof. Amin says with a smile. "Anything I can share about my own professional experience that is useful or valuable to my students, I'm happy to do so. It's why I'm here."

Panel from "Spider-Ham: Great Power, No Responsibility" (Marvel/Scholastic, 2021) by Steve Foxe (author) and Shadia Amin (artist).

On February 24, 2023, top companies from around the world will recruit talented SCAD students and alumni for jobs, internships, and freelance opportunities at SCAD Career Fair. Students can make the most of the university's biggest annual virtual recruitment event by preparing their game plan in advance. It's an ideal time to embrace this year's motto: "Ready, set, hired!"

"Career Fair is not only about a senior getting a dream job, it's an opportunity for all students to take important steps towards—and into—their creative career," says Jaimie Vela, Director of Career Advising, Career and Alumni Success. "It's equally important for underclassmen to be making initial connections with companies at Career Fair. Polishing your portfolio and perfecting your pitch are keys to the process. All students are encouraged and welcome to participate."

Presented by the office for Career and Alumni Success, the virtual SCAD Career Fair is accessible via the designated Career Fair Plus platform. Students create a personal profile, schedule interviews with top companies, and access virtual rooms on the day of the event. This year, more than 100 companies will engage with students and alumni. Representing a wide swathe of the business and creative world, the companies include Belk, Inc., Campbell Ewald, Deloitte Digital, Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Lululemon Athletica, and WEBTOON.

"We enjoyed attending Career Fair, where we talked to very talented students," wrote Michael Schneck, recruiter for Macy's, Inc., following SCAD Career Fair 2022. "We had a great experience, and as a result, we have a student joining us for our Corporate Merchandising Internship in NYC this summer."

That student, Emily Chen (B.F.A., fashion marketing and management), spent last June and July as women's ready-to-wear active merchandising intern at Macy's in New York City. "I thank Michael Schneck and the rest of the Macy's recruiting team who guided me throughout the recruiting process," says Chen. "I would also like to thank my SCAD career advisor Jaimie Vela, who facilitated my Career Fair experience." Chen worked on an eight-week-long Macy's group project "Win with Fashion & Style: My Star Space" that was presented to senior executives. Chen returned to SCAD this year to complete her FASM degree and begin her final preparations for her creative career, empowered by Career Fair.

SCAD Career Fair is dedicated to providing students with the opportunity to connect with top companies and prepare for their professional journeys—at whichever stage of that journey the individual may have reached. Learn more here.

"Who am I?" wonders Nilsson Cajamarca (M.A., motion media design, 2022). "My name? My customs? The music I listen to? The things I spend time doing?"

Facets of identity are at the core of Nilsson's M.A. final project, the forthcoming motion media work "That's Not Me." As its creator explains, "In it, I explore ‘me' from different perspectives."

This much is true: A native of Villavicencio, Colombia, Cajamarca speaks Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, English. He has learned basic French and Chinese. He is a longtime vegetarian. He is fascinated by the roots of hip-hop culture, and a devotee of the acrobatic art of capoeira. He is the first person in his family to receive a university degree. He was awarded the Dean's Fellowship to come to SCAD just over a year ago.

In February, Nilsson attended the student-led motion graphics conference at SCAD called CoMotion. He made key connections with guests from professional creative studios, including Scholar, the award-winning production company founded by alumni William Campbell (B.F.A., broadcast design, 2005; B.F.A., motion graphic design, 2005) and Will Johnson (B.F.A., broadcast design, 2006; B.F.A., motion graphic design, 2006).

Nilsson: "Scholar messaged me that same week and asked, 'Do you want to intern with us?' I replied: 'Sure! Let's go!'"

Still image from the music official video for "Haz Más" by El Chojin.

Nilsson Cajamarca:

When I was studying at college in Bogotá, pursuing a master's degree seemed unthinkable. Then I went to an education fair and met a SCAD representative, and learned about the motion media program, and that Motionographer founder Justin Cone (M.F.A., motion graphics, 2008) went to SCAD. I was impressed, and when I saw SCAD was ranked #1 by The Rookies, I said, okay I'm going to try to go. I got in touch with students from Colombia who had gone to SCAD and they all told me, SCAD is going to change your life!

When I started in Fall 2021, I was still in Colombia, learning online via SCADnow. Then I came to Savannah, and my first quarter here got involved in the SCAD motion media club. MOMELOVE prepared me for CoMotion with workshops on how to refine my brand identity, upgrade my portfolio, and cut my demo reel—even a session of mock interviews. That led directly to meeting with Scholar during CoMotion.

I didn't really know what I was going to be part of when I started my Scholar internship. I worked with a team on a pitch for Adobe, a TV commercial for Lowe's, and a project for LEGO Education called "Rebuild the World," about a character named Hannah whose childhood dream  is to become a scientist specializing in marine wildlife. To animate her story, I collaborated for two and half months to develop ten seconds of animation, which indicates the level of attention to detail at Scholar. The LEGO project wound up being featured on Behance. My six-year-old sister watched it, saw Hannah and said, "Wow! She can do those things! She can be a sea explorer and scientist and play with robots!" That's meaningful and wonderful.

Being at Scholar was a huge moment for me. I see myself one day as a creative director or animation director, but for now, I want to be under the wing of people more skilled than me. The role of the motion designer is always changing, and for prospective students considering SCAD, know that you're going to acquire and refine all the technical skills you need to do the work, and you're going to develop a deeper component of conceptualization around that work.

The conceptual aspect is the key, because it can be translated to new skills, new technologies, new aesthetics, and applied to new tools. The future will be here soon. We can be the ones to create it. At SCAD I've made friends from the U.S., China, Taiwan, Korea, India, UK, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, and Mexico. We all want to make the most of our SCAD experience and collaborate as much as we can. I feel blessed.

Visit Nilsson Cajamarca!

Nilsson would like to acknowledge Director of Admission Peter May for assistance throughout his time at SCAD.

"Have grace over the fire," said Giselle Byrd (B.F.A., performing arts, 2014) to a rapt student audience at Gutstein Gallery.

The actor, director, producer, and talent manager — speaking at the Alumni Voices panel on Friday during Film Festival — emphasized her point with a smile.

"I can wake up and get a phone call that a client has COVID and a concert is tomorrow, or someone has missed a flight to Scandinavia," Byrd said. "I take a breath. Then I strategize, and that's what SCAD taught me: to strategize. There is a solution to everything."

Byrd was one of eight total panelists on Alumni Voices, including her creative collaborator Susan O'Brien (B.F.A., film and television, 2014). Moderated by film and television professor Michael Chaney, the panel was full of fabulous advice and memories of SCAD.

"What do you wish you knew then that you know now?" Chaney asked.

"I wish I knew my power," Byrd said. "We all have power that we connect to, that pushes us forward. I would say, tap into your power now. The sooner you recognize it and embrace it, the sooner you have your truth. Then you can conquer the world."

O'Brien offered her own considered response: "The biggest thing is letting go of expectations. I thought that to be a director, I had to go through a production company and climb up the ladder. Now, as a freelance director, I've directed #MeToo's anniversary campaign, as well as content for Planned Parenthood. It took being open to things I did not expect to get to a place in my career that I'm happy with."

This Saturday, Byrd and O'Brien will be on hand for a screening of the film "When We Arrive as Flowers" during Global Shorts Forum: XX. Directed by O'Brien, with Byrd part of the producing team, "When We Arrive as Flowers" is a portrait of dancer Diovanna LaBeija, who "realizes her transfemme identity through a choreographic journey of self-discovery."

The twist in this alumni tale is that Byrd and O'Brien, though they graduated the same year, did not know each other as students. "While I didn't meet Giselle at SCAD, we have that commonality," O'Brien said.

Byrd: "The first time I met Susie, she was coming to my house for dinner and we were going to have a chat about life in 2020. I was cooking, and she said, 'I have a question. Can I follow you through these protests that are happening?' I was like, 'Okay, sure.' And from there, our sisterhood just grew."

Byrd, the first Transgender woman to take part in The Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program, made her documentary debut with "Giselle's Story," directed by O'Brien. The pair are delighted to have found each other as collaborators. This gave O'Brien further cause to reflect:

"If I had to go back to SCAD, I'd collaborate even more with other majors. Make friends with motion media artists, animators, illustrators, sound designers. Meet everybody. This is the one time when you can pay people in pizza, so take advantage of it."

Everyone, Byrd included, cracked up.

Above still from "Giselle's Journey" (2021, dir. Susan O'Brien).

Banner image: Diovanna in "When We Arrive as Flowers" (2022, dir. Susan O'Brien)