Katie Houston, Senior Environment Artist for Bluepoint Games, spoke to CP students on Monday as part of our Guest Speaker Series. In her 20 years in the video game industry, Houston has designed vehicles for C.A.R.T. Fury (arcade), modeled fight rings for Fight Night (XBOX360/PS2), mapped levels for HALO 4 (DLC), and recreated worlds for Shadow of the Colossus (PS4). Using multimedia software like Max, Maya, and Photoshop, Houston combines 3D imaging, textures, lighting, and F/X to build environments that look almost lifelike.
In addition to advocating higher education, Houston also highlighted the importance of transferable skills like teamwork, business acumen, and time management, and how her love of studio art and 3D modeling led her into the gaming industry. She explained that, while talent is important and can be cultivated through online training courses, the ability to manage people, think critically, and problem solve creatively will advance a career.
