|
"My
professors have helped me to see how I can infuse my
faith into my work ...as a
way of glorifying God." |
As a
senior at Huntington University, Tyler Welker is quickly
becoming a seasoned digital media artist.
In the fall of 2006, Tyler and two
other students debuted “Boxed,” a short animated film, at
Wheaton College’s “LEAST” festival, an event that gives students
the opportunity to respond to poverty and AIDS through the arts.
As a junior, Tyler and another
student won first place in the TV Entertainment Feature category
of the 2007 College State Awards for the Indiana Association of
School Broadcasters.
During the January Terms of his
sophomore and junior years, Tyler worked on two film projects,
which he says taught him a great deal about how to work under a
deadline and how much time and detail is required to complete
artistic endeavors of that scale.
Tyler’s education and experiences
helped him land an internship at Media Sauce, a multi-media
marketing company in Indianapolis, in the summer of 2007.
Huntington's Enterprise Resource Center
connected Tyler to Media Sauce. Because of his positive
experience, the company is now seeking other interns from
Huntington.
“Huntington’s
digital media arts
program has exposed me to a wide variety and selection of media
along with different ways to express my art through film and
design,” Tyler says. “I have received close attention from my
DMA professors who truly care about my learning experience.”
Tyler’s professors include
Bryan
Ballinger and
Steve Leeper. Both were employed by Big Idea
Productions, Inc., the creator of “VeggieTales,” and both
continue to be active in freelance work.
“My professors have helped me to see
how I can infuse my faith into my work – from content to how I
work – as a way of glorifying God,” Tyler says.
Prior to attending Huntington, Tyler
went to a prestigious art institute in a major metropolitan area.
Despite the advantages, Tyler wanted something more – a quality
education with a Christ-centered focus.
“I immediately fell in love with
atmosphere and overall beauty of the Huntington’s campus when I
first visited,” he says. “It had a very welcoming feel to it. I
wanted to go to a Christian university and also wanted to study
digital media and animation, and Huntington offers both.”
For Tyler, the differences in his
experiences at the two schools have become evident.
“I think the biggest advantage is
the attention I’ve received from the professors in a smaller
classroom setting,” Tyler says. “That was vitally important to
my education and what I have learned at Huntington. Also, I
appreciate that there is always available space and equipment
when you need to work on something in the labs."
Tyler advises any student interested
in digital media arts to consider Huntington.
“Talk to our professors and students
that are in the program to find out if and how the passions and
gifts that God has given you fit with this major at Huntington,”
he says. “Continue to learn as much as possible about digital
media and start creating art and film or just plain stories to
bring here with you.”
|
