On Nov.19 Mt. SAC’s Animation and Gaming department held their annual “GamesFest” event where students from animation, graphic design, illustration and photography showed their work on full display for administration and visitors to explore.
The event began on the third floor of building 410 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. The event itself included many things to explore, such as activities that visitors were able to explore and different showcases from the animation, graphic design, illustration and photography program. These activities included animations demonstrations, video games and virtual reality projects all created by Mt. SAC students in the various programs.
The students that were visiting GamesFest had entertainment and amenities that they could enjoy while at the event. Entertainment and amenities options included live music, free pizza, video games and an area called “Artist Ally” for students to enjoy at the event. Students were also able to test out the video games in virtual reality that students had created over the semester.
Students who visited the event were also able to gain Pokemon like stamps on a stamp card in order to be entered into a raffle for different prizes. By visiting different booths around the event such as the photography program, illustrations program, animation program and drone program students were able to collect the various stamps.
When it came to the booths every student who ran a booth seemed to love working at their booth and sharing what drew them to run a booth at GamesFest.
“I was invited by one of our instructors here, Kyler Smith recommended to do the booth here as a first time artist booth,” Mt. SAC student Chris Osama said.
Also when it came to the event many students seemed to be able to learn something about the event and the potential of switching majors this is what was said in regards to Mt. Sac student Chris said.
“No, not at all. I think that I’ve always wanted to do illustration growing up, “ Chris said. ” So I’ve been kind of looking forward to this point in my life, and I’m kind of grateful that i get started it here.”
“I’m here more to get exposure and kind of, like, get I guess, fuel testing to see how the event goes,” Mt. SAC student Jorge Rodrigues who also worked at a booth said. “I also just came to support other classmates and see their work and just showcase some great work.”
“I’m representing a gaming club, the gaming animation industry network club. “ Rosas said, “ So we try to connect with animators to hear the students with industry professionals, or just try to bridge the gap from students to industry as well as we can.” Eduardo Rosas, another Mt. SAC student helping to run a booth said.
Jacob Toras, a student assistant for the animation and gaming department who helped put on the event felt “great honestly. This is the first time we’ve taken the summit and had the event here. So for our first time in this space I feel like we really filled it out.”
“I want to say the biggest surprise to me was just how many people interacted with a lot of our booths, not that I didn’t expect them to interact with it,” Toras said. “ But I’m really happy how much people are engaging with the art, engaging with the people, all kinds of stuff.
“That this is a very safe, open and friendly space for people to interact with each other. “Toras added. “Show off their art, take in art and I think the biggest thing is to make connections with people in this field. “
Mt. SAC and local high school students were able to gain more insight about the various offerings from the programs in attendance. From free food to hands-on activities, the event felt like an overall success.
As the event concluded at 2.p.m with students and staff leaving the event, the animation department, illustration department, graphic design department, and photography department started to pack up. With the event being about the animation department, illustration department, graphic design, and photography program showing off their work, Mt.Sac students were able to gain a little more insight about what it means to be an animator, illustrator, graphic designer, or photographer.
