Savannah “Savvy” Cortez is another one of our young and talented members in FresnoArts.net. She’s also a graduate of the Art Institute of California Orange County, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Game Art and Design. Being an art lover ever since she can remember, Savvy’s website has one clear message about her passion for the arts: “I love games, art, comics, movies, and music, and I love them all to the MAX!” Here’s the rest of her interview.

Please tell us something about yourself:

During high school I knew I wanted to do something with my art and I began to search for avenues to use my talent to make a career for myself. At first I was lost in my search and I tinkered with the ideas of comic books or video games, but I really didn’t know where to begin. I tried getting connected with different industry people; when I came across the Art Institute and found that they offered a degree specializing in video games. The school became a stepping stone into the video game industry.

What makes game and graphic design so interesting for you?

I’ve been into games since I realized what a game was, how to play it, and when my sister would actually let me play on our Nintendo. I was a latch key kid growing up. Taking care of myself and keeping me occupied was adopted at an early age. 

Coming home from school meant being home alone and I was left to my own devices which usually were drawing, video games, and television. In high school I was lucky enough to meet some amazing friends, which I’m still in contact with today; and one being my husband, who also shared my geeky interests. Ever since then, video games have been a standard factor in connecting with people, and making friends.

What are your challenges in creating your designs and how do you overcome them?

Some challenges that I encounter rather often is creativity blockage and over focusing on trivial pieces of a concept, or image. What I do to fix this is either take a break and clear my mind, or do more research on the subject.

I find research as a great tool because it helps answer questions, and fill in blanks that are not contained in my library of knowledge. I find research from lots of Google-ing and bargain coffee table books that I get from Barnes and Noble.

About once a year, to keep my artist juices flowing, I read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. Pressfield is a writer, but his book pertains to all artists that have ever experience a blockage for creativity.

Please describe your gaming design equipment and how they help you design your works.

My tools of the trade are a sketchbook, pencil, my computer, Adobe Photoshop CS5, and an old Bamboo Wacom tablet, which I’m aiming at replacing very soon.

I normally don’t use my sketchbook as a tool to scan in my sketches as actual pieces, instead I use my sketch book as a place to throw down my ideas however dumb, or ugly they might be. I try to carry a sketchbook with me wherever I go to have it handy in case a thought jumps into my head.

When I’m ready to create a piece, I use Photoshop along with my Wacom tablet. For those not familiar with a Wacom, it enables the user to essentially paint within the computer. The Wacom is my bread and butter and allows for pen sensitivity and movement. In Photoshop I have several brushes that allow me to make different textures and strokes instead of a plain saturated line.

How can people contact you for tips, ideas, or any project proposals?

I’d be happy to help anyone that has any questions about my work or tips on how I create my work through these sites.

http://my.fresnoarts.net/profile/SavvyCortez
http://www.youtube.com/user/SavvyCortez?feature=mhee
http://savvyart.blogspot.com/
http://savvycortez.tumblr.com/
http://willowofthetime.deviantart.com/

I know it can be hard to find a path into video games when you grow up in Fresno, so I’m especially active in shining some light on the video game industry for people who are interested.

Donna Paulino covers most of the topic for the Fresno Interactive Network, including interviews, profiles, and articles that inspire our readers about our local community. She is the social media manager and web producer for Socient, a Fresno web marketing agency that helps non-profit and community benefit organizations thrive with social media marketing, search engine optimization, and web design.

Follow her on Twitter:  @donnapaulino

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