I have worked as a Student Technology Assistant at Digital Media Bar for the past two semesters, and it has been a wonderful experience. This position has allowed me to gain a multitude of skills, such as:
- Communication skills
- Through communicating with my colleagues and professional staff.
- Customer service
- Through helping students with I.S. formatting and general questions related to all sorts of software, I feel more confident teaching people
- Presentation skills
- Through the workshop I hosted during the spring semester.
- Knowledge about software
- I learned many software applications, especially, Blender, OpenToonz, and Word.
While working at the desk, I had time to work on the goals that I set at the beginning of each semester.
During the fall semester, my goal was to learn 2D animation using OpenToonz. I created a few animations either by drawing frame by frame or using shape keys. I learned the basics of animation and drawing skills through creating short animations.
![OpenToonz editing window](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/GetImage-1.png)
![OpenToonz girl in foreground on a motorcycle heading toward a building](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-05-173815-1024x564.png)
![OpenToonz girl in midground on a motorcycle heading toward a building](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-05-173833-1024x563.png)
![OpenToonz girl in background on a motorcycle heading toward a building](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-05-173857-1024x565.png)
In the end of the fall semester, I started working on Blender and learned the basics of modeling, shading, and animation.
![Blender donut tutorial](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/GetImage-3.png)
![Dog model](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/GetImage-2.png)
![A toon shaded mug](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/CupDrawing-1024x576.png)
![Pill model](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/blenderCapsulTutorial-1024x1024.png)
![Tree model](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/treeTutorial2-1024x576.png)
![Night city model 2](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/CityEvee3-1024x576.png)
![Blender head modeling](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/GetImage-4-1024x640.png)
![Blender face modeling](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-05-175758-1024x964.png)
![Human animation practice frame](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-05-175734-1024x695.png)
For the spring semester, my goal was to model and animate more complicated objects and characters using Blender.
I first worked on a rendering animation which I started working on during winter break. I created a 3D model of Kauke Hall and a part of campus, added characters and animation from Mixamo, placed cameras, adjusted lighting, and rendered it.
![Kauke Hall from a window.](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-05-174534-1.png)
![Short Animation. Kauke and a runner.](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-04-26-173331.png)
![Wooster logo in 3D](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-05-174648.png)
For the second project, I decided to create a short animation film. So, I created a map with sci-fi-looking buildings using geometry nodes, which automatically clones buildings I have made. Then I designed, modeled, and rigged a tank.
![Abandoned city](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/renderDesert-1024x576.png)
![Tank Model 4](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-05-183803-edited-1.png)
![A tank in a city](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Tank-Desert2-1024x576.png)
I started working on creating a character for the animation. This was by far the hardest part since it requires a good character design skill.
So far,
- I practiced sculpting and created a figure.
- I re-meshed the model for animation.
- I modeled hair using curves.
- I learned toon shading
![A figure of a model in wireframe](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-04-26-154713.png)
![Animation character modeling 2](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-04-26-153650-1024x692.png)
![Animation character modeling 1](https://inside.wooster.edu/technology/wp-content/uploads/sites/83/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-04-26-153606-1024x682.png)
I couldn’t finish modeling clothes and rigging the character by the end of the semester. However, I will keep working on it during the summer until I render a short animation.
As a Student Technology Assistant, I have acquired a significant number of skills over the past two semesters. This position not only provided me with opportunities to assist other students but also helped me discover something that I can be passionate about such as 3D computer graphics. Lastly, I really hope more students utilize the Digital Media Bar as a resource for their own creative projects.