Portfolio of Student Work
“Tattoo Map” – Interactive documentary by Grace G. Inspired by Welcome to Pine Point, the project incorporates HTML/CSS/JavaScript and explores audience-centered storytelling. Through guided design processes and iterative development, Grace advanced her technical and conceptual skills, producing a compelling interactive narrative prototype. Developed in Independent Study course under my mentorship
“Confessional” – Dialogic installation by Alexa M. Using a handcrafted puppet and a rustic booth, the project explores personal and interpersonal communication through play and nostalgia. Alexa developed skills in recycled-material construction and interactive performance, eliciting heartfelt responses during Open Studios. Created for 4D Foundations.
“Sun Spear” – Action game by Aidan B., Jeff R., Vincent G., and Avery K. Players traverse a desert battling enemies and bosses while balancing spear-based combat and terrain-clearing mechanics. NPC dialogue delivers narrative elements. Project for Game Design Capstone Series.
“Hua” – Embodied art piece by Jasmine Li. This interactive performance invited participants to share personal challenges, which Jasmine translated into meaningful Chinese idioms written in calligraphy. The piece focused on connection and audience engagement, emphasizing dialogue and personal encouragement over technical perfection. Created for 4D Foundations.
“Fraw G. and the Moth” – Platformer by Ariel A., Philip C., Wang L., Catie M., Auguste R., Nick S., Sho L. S., and Yihan W. Players control Fraw G. in 2D/2.5D environments, navigating puzzles and challenges to reverse a curse by Mothman. Developed in Experimental Gameplay.
“DRACOMATON” – Roguelike by Andrew W., Annie Z., Autumn M., Ben P., Benjamin C., Calex R., Manas S., Manoj S., Michael R., Nik T., Sophie M., Tracie T., and Yiyang L. Players control Eclipse, a robot navigating a factory of corrupted bots and Dragon God relics. Features modular transformations and dynamic combat. Project for Game Design Capstone Series.
“Parcy’s Parcels” – Minigame collection by Anika M., Julie K., Justin B., Eden H., Aaron G., and Graham M. Players join Parcy the mail mouse in playful adventures like dodging sprinklers, outsmarting dogs, and delivering mail, while reflecting on life’s small joys. Project for Game Design Capstone Series.
“Ensol” – Narrative RPG by Autumn P., Elizabeth A., Emersen L., Gabriel R., Joseph S., Justin S., Matty H., Ryan H., and Sriharsha M. Set in a solarpunk world, players navigate a 3D isometric environment, battle enemies, upgrade weapons, and unravel mysteries with a robot cat companion. Project for Game Design Capstone Series.
“AudioQuarium” – Interactive audio-visual experience by Ethan C., Christina L., Oliver M., Niko M., Tory S., and Kira W. Users explore a serene fishtank-inspired environment, mixing musical tracks linked to individual fish to create custom soundscapes. Final team project in Intro to Programming for the Arts.
“Choke-A-Cola” – Satirical web project by Alexis H., Seokho K., Edward O., Hanna N., Wes B., and Andres S. Designed to raise awareness of soda’s health risks and environmental impact, the site parodies a fictional soda company with flavors symbolizing industry harms. Final team project in Intro to Programming for the Arts.
“I Love Coyote and Coyote Loves Me” – Artwork by Nesho, an Irwin Scholar. The piece, illuminated by natural sunlight near a window, highlights a skull shape surrounded by cloth, exploring themes of perception and space. Nesho was my student in Concepts and Practice in Sculpture and Public Art at UCSC (2013).
“Back to the Core” – Sculpture by Jesse Huynh, crafted from cardboard toilet paper rolls. Jesse, a textile artist and fashion designer in Santa Cruz, challenges conventional fashion by using unconventional materials, reflecting his critique of societal norms. An Irwin Scholar, Jesse was my student in Concepts and Practice in Sculpture and Public Art at UCSC (2013).
