Read more about me in the article 'Scholarly Pursuits' on page 19.

1. savannah college of art and design
Spring/Summer 2008 Volume 1, Number 1
1

2. Contents
savannah college of art and design
Spring/Summer 2008 Volume 1, Number 1
features
Editor
Jennifer Long
Spring/Summer 2008
Editorial Director
Beth Concepción (M.A., 2000; M.F.A., 2002)
Contributing Writers
Monique Bos
Beth Concepción (M.A., 2000; M.F.A., 2002)
5 Q&A with Bob Nardelli: Leading by Design
Emily Green
ABOUT THE COVER
Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli talks about the importance of design in large
Ally Hughes (B.F.A., 1999; M.F.A., 2000)
Erin Wiser, Louisville, Ky., B.F.A. student in fibers,
Seth Michalak
corporations and his role as chair of the SCAD-Atlanta Board of Visitors. Untitled, woodcut, 2007. Wiser received accolades
Virginia Rolling (M.F.A. candidate)
recently at the International Contemporary
Amanda Tower
8 Take Note: The M.F.A. is the New M.B.A. Furniture Fair. To read more about the project, turn
to the Accolades section on page 30.
Bestselling author Daniel Pink explains why the future is so bright
Creative Director
David Duran (B.F.A., 1998)
for right-brain thinkers.
Graphic Designer
19 Scholarly Pursuits
Leslie Geer (B.F.A., 1992)
SCAD students develop their skills through the help of scholarships.
Photographers
Freddie Bennett (B.F.A., 2002)
Dennis Burnett (B.F.A., 2006)
Ben Dashwood (B.F.A., 2002)
Wayne C. Moore (B.F.A., 1991)
Charlie Ribbens
Dane Sponberg (B.F.A., 2006)
Photography Coordinator
John McKinnon (B.F.A., 1995)
Photo Archivist
Jennylyn Pawelski
Dean of Communications
Bruce Chong
Senior Vice President for Admission and Communications
Pamela Rhame
How to reach SCAD | WORKS
Story ideas or address changes may be sent in any of the following ways: call
912.525.5225; e-mail info@scad.edu; mail SCAD | WORKS, Savannah College of
Art and Design, P.O. Box 3146, Savannah, GA 31402-3146 USA; fax 912.525.5226.
We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, style or clarity.
>8
SCAD | WORKS is published by the Savannah College of Art and Design, P.O.
Box 3146, Savannah, GA 31402-3146 USA. Contents ©2008 Savannah College
of Art and Design, all rights reserved. LG18221
About the college
Named one of Kaplan’s “25 cutting-edge schools with an eye toward the
future,” the Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit,
accredited institution with locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., and in
Lacoste, France. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs also are
offered online through SCAD-eLearning. The college offers Bachelor of Arts,
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in
Teaching, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Urban Design degrees.
For more information about the college, visit www.scad.edu, e-mail
admission@scad.edu, call 800.869.7223 or 912.525.5100 in Savannah, or call
a ce nt er fo r liter at ur e 877.722.3285 or 404.253.2700 in Atlanta.
and a rts to o pen 2 0 0 8
>5
For more information, call 404.253.3100
or visit www.artofrestoration.org.
> 19

3. Contents
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
departments
Spring/Summer 2008
profiles >
11 Fierce Competitor
SCAD alumna and fashion designer Carmen Webber becomes Project Runway star.
Dear Friends 13 Next Stop, The Big Apple
Audrey Davis wins the Film Society of Lincoln Center trailer competition.
Adam Kuehl
15 She’s Got Game
SCAD works. That short, simple sentence says it all. But what does it mean? For one, it’s the
Presidential fellowship allows professor Brenda Brathwaite
name of this new publication. The name represents what you’ll find in every issue: work created
to help parents make informed decisions on video game
by SCAD students, professors, alumni. You’ll also find their stories: stories about what drives
purchases for their children.
them to create that work, stories about process and vision, and stories about what happens
when their imaginations become real. And you’ll find stories about donors, corporate partners
17 A Taste of South America
> 11
and supporters of SCAD. We have a high purpose, and it takes the work of many to achieve it.
Graduate student Virginia Rolling recounts her experience on
That name—— SCAD|Works—— says something, not just about the people of SCAD, but about the the SCAD off-campus program to Argentina and Peru.
college itself. This institution has an audacious mission, but when it all began in 1978, it was
in the works µ
an untested, untried concept. That pioneering concept consisted of four purposes, brought
> 17
together in a creative way: to provide students with beautiful and functional places for living
22 Blueprint for the Future
and learning; to ground them in the classical fine art traditions; to equip them with unrivaled
SCAD students gain valuable career experience through JCB partnership.
technology; and to prepare those talented students for the professional world. Thirty years
later, this mission is being lived out every day by faculty and staff who are tirelessly committed
24 Visiting Artists
to their work.
Frank Gehry, Carrie Mae Weems and Steve Locke are three recent visiting artists
> 15
who have met with SCAD students.
Starting this fall, SCAD will begin celebrating its 30th anniversary. I hope you’ll continue to
make history with us. Because there’s no doubt about it: SCAD works.
news + events
26 A Blue Ribbon Day
Paula S. Wallace > 26 SCAD dedicates the Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center.
President
26 Touched by Tinseltown
SCAD’s 2007 Savannah Film Festival marked a decade of
celebrating cinema.
27 Spring Sports
SCAD spring athletics programs compete for conference,
regional and national championships.
28 In the Green
2008 Scholarship Gala benefits SCAD students and the
environment.
30 The Sound of Music
New SCAD sound design studio features industry-standard
capabilities.
30 Accolades

4. l e a d i n g by d esi g n
Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli talks about the importance
of design in large corporations and his role as chair of
the SCAD-Atlanta Board of Visitors.
with Bob Nardelli by Jennifer Long
Bob Nardelli knows business. He has served as CEO of Fortune 500 companies
such as Chrysler LLC and The Home Depot, and this year BusinessWeek named
Nardelli one of the top 25 “People to Watch in 2008,” listed with other notables
like Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, New York City mayor Michael
Bloomberg and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Nardelli became chairman and CEO of Chrysler in 2007, and previously served
Rachel Holland
as chairman, president and CEO of The Home Depot from 2000-07. In the
1990s, Nardelli held a number of leadership positions at GE, including president
4 5

5. and CEO of GE Power Systems and senior I’m a real believer in sweat equity; this degree program is innovative and provides for freedom, authenticity and the capability to
vice president of General Electric. He also led was an institution that could use the business architecture students with a rigorous go anywhere, and it is critical that these values
Case Corp. Construction Equipment’s global acumen and strategic direction that someone background in advanced theory and design. are reflected in the vehicle styling.
business. with experience could provide. I’m committed Chrysler design is rich with innovation—
Nardelli also knows the importance of to SCAD’s core objectives and providing from the world’s first minivan in 1984 to the
S|W: Do you agree with the statement that
advancing art and design education. As chair the college with the logistical, strategic most awarded car in automotive history:
the M.F.A. is the new M.B.A.?
of the SCAD-Atlanta Board of Visitors, he and executive direction they need to keep the sophisticated and stylish Chrysler 300c.
N: The new economy has brought an
serves in an important role, leading this moving forward. Chrysler has developed a rich history of design
increased need for creative talent. The M.F.A.
board of community leaders in advocating innovation, and we plan to continue building
is an excellent path for professionals who
for and supporting SCAD, its students and on this heritage in the years to come.
S|W: As chair of the SCAD-Atlanta Board work in creative fields and who can apply
its mission. He’s also a proud SCAD parent; of Visitors, in what way are you leading the their training and skills to business. Successful
his son, Tim, is enrolled in the college’s board to promote and support the college? S|W: A new group of SCAD students will
organizations value diversity of thought, and
sequential art program. be graduating this year. What kind of advice
N: It is truly an honor to be part of this that’s why so many winning teams recognize
The SCAD|Works staff recently sat down do you have for them as they embark on
board and a blessing to have such a highly the value of both the M.B.A. and M.F.A.
with Nardelli to find out why he enjoys their careers?
energized and professional group of fellow
working with the college and what kind of members. The Atlanta Board of Visitors N: They should understand that they’re in
S|W: How do you see the role of art and design——
future he sees for art and design students. serves the college as an advocacy and support a unique—and valuable—position in the
and the role of graduates who hold art/
organization, with a special focus on the current marketplace. Businesses are actively
design degrees —— in large corporations like
SCAD|Works: How did you first learn about growth and development of SCAD in Atlanta. seeking creative talent to enhance their
GE, Home Depot and Chrysler?
SCAD? Our focus is on relevant, actionable strategies creative and intellectual capital, which is
N: There are many important roles for
Nardelli: When my son Tim was a senior, to foster and sustain this objective. essential to stay competitive in the global
creative talent in any company. At Chrysler,
he was busy looking for a college, like any All of us on the board share a duty to market. These students are equipped with
for example, design is one of the most
other student. After visiting several schools, act as ambassadors and representatives of a great skill set from a top-notch institution
important factors in creating a vehicle that
we were fortunate to find this diamond in SCAD, providing a connection and positive that can be applied to a variety of arenas and
customers will aspire to own. Creative talent
Savannah called SCAD. I was impressed interface with the community. Our goal is to industries.
also is needed in a wide array of other roles,
with President Wallace, the faculty, staff and help advance SCAD to become a more visible At the same time, they should keep in
from designing advertising and marketing
Congratulations to the SCAD equestrian
students—especially those who served as and valued part of the Atlanta cultural and mind that the marketplace changes fast. Their
materials to laying out Web sites and
team on capturing the 2008 ANRC National
ambassadors and tour guides. In fact, one of business community. We are actively pursuing ability to continuously learn, adapt and be
developing corporate and brand symbols. In
Collegiate Championship. Beginning Fall
Tim’s closest friends and roommates is one closer relationships with local businesses, open to new ideas will be important and will
other companies, there are equally diverse
2008, an equestrian studies minor will be
of the students who gave us a tour on our creative agencies, cultural institutions and enhance their value as they move ahead in
and rewarding opportunities for creative and offered at SCAD.
first day. our network of alumni to develop a cohesive, their careers.
design talent.
collaborative approach to SCAD’s growth.
S|W: What inspired you to take a leadership S|W: Chrysler is regarded as being at the
role at the college? S|W: What do you see as the strongest forefront of American car design. From your
qualities of SCAD? What distinguishes it
N: SCAD serves an integral role in developing perspective as CEO, how important is good
from other art colleges?
the creative talent pool that will keep design in the success of an automobile?
N: With Atlanta’s industry, commerce, size
Atlanta-area businesses competitive in the N: Design is a key differentiator in the
and projected growth, the opportunities for
new economy. As a former Atlanta resident, automobile business—inside and out. A great
SCAD-Atlanta are endless. New relationships
I remain personally interested in seeing the exterior design helps bring customers into a
already have been forged with advertising
region prosper and diversify its talent pool, showroom, while a vehicle’s interior design
agencies, nonprofit organizations and various
which is precisely what SCAD excels at. must meet customer desires for comfort, style
companies to offer internship and career
Companies are increasingly drawn and functionality.
possibilities for current and future students
to prospective employees with creative For Chrysler, design provides both a strong
and alumni. SCAD is a distinctive university.
backgrounds who understand design and tie to our heritage and the key to creating a
The international faculty and student body
can apply this knowledge to their operations. competitive edge in today’s marketplace. The
come from all 50 states and more than 80
SCAD has a proven history of developing power, performance and excitement Dodge
countries. Accredited degree programs also
creative, talented professionals in a variety of is known for began with the Hemi-powered
are offered through SCAD-eLearning, which
areas. The more involved I became, the more muscle cars of the 1960s, but you can see it
allows distance learning for those interested
positive feedback I received from the business just as alive today in our new 2008 Dodge
in creative professions. The unique, five-
community regarding the SCAD graduates Challenger.
year professional Master of Architecture
they had hired. The Jeep brand is known around the world
6 7

6. book, Free Agent Nation, that Pink started I’ll walk into a place like this [the National
In his bestselling books, Free Agent Nation and
A Whole New Mind, author Daniel Pink states following the outsourcing aspect of A Whole Building Museum] now and see light and
that creativity and aesthetics are becoming New Mind. He also noticed that a number of shadow. Five years ago I never would have
increasingly valued and in-demand commodities
his contacts had a more artistic approach to seen that. I look for negative space now. Five
in the business world.
their lives. years ago, I didn’t know what negative space
“In writing about business, some of the was. Never heard of it. I now have a great
smartest, most interesting people I met had sense of awareness. It is like another switch
a background in fine arts,” he said. “And was turned on.”
Daniel Pink walks into the these are people not in the so-called creative P i n k ’s n e x t p r o j e c t b l e n d s b o t h
National Building Museum in industry. These are people like management hemispheres of the brain, offering practical
consultants.” So Pink’s premise is that there advice in a nontraditional format. His new
Washington, D.C., dressed in will be an increasing market for those who book, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko:
traffic in aesthetics as opposed to knowledge. The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need, is a
a suit and tie. “I’m dressed As he puts it, “The M.F.A. is the new M.B.A.” 160-page graphic novel. It is the first business
This, of course, is second nature for book in manga for a Western audience. The
like a grown-up,” he said. anyone connected with the Savannah College book, which came out in April, is a result of a
“I don’t usually dress like of Art and Design. After all, the college’s family trip to Japan where he noticed a huge
mission is “to prepare talented students nonfiction aspect of the manga genre, geared
a grown-up.” He says a for professional careers,” and what Pink is toward adults.
saying is that there is going to be more of After all, style and creativity are the
casual style is more suited those art and design careers in the future. currency. His advice to students? He suggests
“What is going on is profoundly important, they can be secure in the fact that pursuing art
to his writing career than deeply interesting and validates the mission is “not going to be a lifetime pass to a canvas-
of a place like SCAD,” he said. strewn garret somewhere eating ramen,” he
the suit he sports on this Pink cites overwhelming evidence in said. “Do this sort of thing because you
day, but he dressed for an support of his thesis. “If you look at what is enjoy doing it and because it is part of who
happening in the economy, if you look at the you are.” A creative career will follow.
important meeting. disappearance of left-brain work overseas, if
you look at the capacity of computers and Editor's note: Pink will be the keynote speaker
Pink has a full schedule nowadays, thanks to software to do certain kinds of left-brain at SCAD’s Art, Design, and the Cultural
Ben Dashwood
his bestselling book, A Whole New Mind: Why tasks, if you look at the growing demand Moment: A Symposium for Art and Design
Right-brainers Will Rule the Future. Once the for design and emotion and aesthetics Graduate School Deans in Savannah March
chief speechwriter for former Vice President Al and meaning, analytically, it is not even a 5–7, 2009. For more information, visit www.
Gore, Pink is now somewhat of a prophet for close call. The scales are tilting,” he said. scad.edu/graddeans.
creative types because of that book. The book “A lot of the things that people learn at
points to three reasons why we are moving an art and design college equip them with the
into a world of right-brain-directed thinking: source of abilities that are hard to outsource,
Take note:
In his new book, The Adventures of Johnny
abundance, Asia and automation. hard to automate, and are increasingly in
Bunko, Daniel Pink offers career advice in the
“Today, the defining feature of social, demand,” said Pink. “If you couple that
form of a graphic novel.
“ What is going on is profoundly important, economic and cultural life in much of the with the fact that people go to an art college
world is abundance,” he wrote. Because of because they are interested in something,
deeply interesting and validates the
The this left-brain-generated material abundance, because they love something—painting
mission of a place like SCAD. ” — Daniel Pink we now place a higher premium on right-brain or sculpting or photographing is a part of
concepts such as “beauty, spirituality, emotion.” who they are—you are talking about some
As for Asia, that is where many American ferociously motivated people.”
“knowledge worker” jobs are headed, thanks Pink himself was motivated to exercise
to outsourcing. Finally, machines have been his right brain while he was working on his
proving all along that they can do the work
is the new book, taking a drawing course for example.
of many humans—and do it faster and more “Taking the drawing course was, for instance,
efficiently at a lower cost. really interesting,” he said. “That course
It was during his research for his first literally changed the way I see the world.
by Beth E. Concepción
8 9

7. PROFILES
Fierce Competitor
by Amanda Tower
Week after week on the reality show Project
Runway, which pits fashion designers against
each other in a series of crazy challenges,
supermodel and host Heidi Klum declares,
“In the world of fashion, one day you’re in and
the next day you’re out.”
On the show, nothing could be more true.
As designers struggle to deal with finicky
Co
urt
models, unusual materials, long hours, budget
esy
NB
constraints and the judges’ unrelenting stares,
CU
they know that one of them will be eliminated
niv
ers
at the end of each episode for having the least
al
appealing design.
In turn, the designers gain important
publicity and attention for their work as
the show’s millions of fans turn them into
household names. Competition on the show’s
fourth season is fierce, and the majority of the
contestants are industry veterans with unique
talents in fashion design. From thousands of
hopefuls who auditioned for the Bravo show,
only 16 designers were chosen based on
portfolios, interviews and garment samples
from their collections.
SCAD alumna Carmen Webber gave other fashion designers a run for their money on this season of
Savannah College of Art and Design
the hit reality show Project Runway.
alumna Carmen Webber (B.F.A., illustration,
1994) was one of those 16 chosen.
A native of Charlotte, N.C., Webber began
her education at SCAD as an architecture her own ready-to-wear collection at La Couple
lines, perfecting her own version of urban
major, but changed to illustration and also Jazz Club in 1996.
street fashion cum Parisian style, which she
took many fashion classes before graduating In 2000, Webber moved to New York
calls “street couture.”
cum laude. The 37-year-old is no stranger City, and the following year launched the
After graduating from SCAD, Webber
to the business of fashion. She is president Sistahs of Harlem line with Carmia Marshall,
interned in Paris for Christophe Lemaire, now
and chief designer of her own line, Sistahs of a film and television wardrobe stylist. Sistahs
head designer for Lacoste. While in Paris she
Harlem, which she co-founded in 2001, and of Harlem has developed a large following
also worked as a sales associate at one of
also has worked for numerous well-known among celebrity clients, including Alicia
Paco Rabanne’s first boutiques and debuted
10 11

8. profiles > < profiles
“Project Runway has raised the awareness
of the general public about fashion and its
creative process.”
— Doris Treptow
Next Stop,
The Big Apple
Keys, Eve and Erykah Badu, and has become Barber. Many of the designers had never encouraged the participation of the audience
an international brand. The ready-to- created men’s clothing before and, as a result, on discussing fashion issues.”
wear garments are inspired by a variety of the runway was filled with poorly constructed, Webber may not have advanced to the
by Emily Green
finals on Project Runway, but she is equally
influences, including music, powerful women, unfinished garments. The absence of a shirt
art, politics and world cultures, and the on Webber’s model was the deciding factor in busy with multiple projects aside from the
seasonal collections have themes such as her elimination. Sistahs of Harlem line. A third fashion book on Undergraduate broadcast design and
“Project Runway portrays the fashion repurposing sweatshirts, titled Fashion Sweat,
“Rasta Street Funk Punk,” “Powerful Women motion graphics student Audrey Davis was
in Action,” “Afro-Cuban,” and “Les Femme du industry under a very glamorous light that will be released in 2009. She also is writing a 10 years old the last time she entered an
Monde—High Society Women.” does not really reflect the reality and hard graphic novel and fulfilling spring orders for art competition. Now, a decade later, she is
Webber and Marshall also co-wrote the work,” said Doris Treptow, SCAD fashion boutiques in Japan and New York. the grand-prize winner of the HBO-sponsored
book T-Shirt Makeovers: 20 Transformations professor. “But the show has raised the V i e w We b b e r ’s d e s i g n s a t w w w. Film Society of Lincoln Center’s student trailer
Dennis Burnett
for Fabulous Fashions, which demonstrates awareness of the general public about fashion sistahsofharlem.com or purchase the competition.
how to deconstruct T-shirts and turn and its creative process, and the show’s Web garments at The Edge boutique at 65 Bleecker Davis’ Editing Theories and Techniques
something old into a fresh, funky fashion site, with message boards and blogs, has St. in New York. professor, Dominique Elliot, assigned the
statement. They showcased their clothing line competition as the final project during spring SCAD broadcast design and motion graphics student Audrey Davis was the winner of the HBO-
and demonstrated T-shirt transformations quarter 2007. “It presented a design challenge
Ben Dashwood
sponsored Film Society of Lincoln Center student trailer competition.
during the 2007 SCAD Style week at SCAD- because of the remarkably large amount
Atlanta. The duo also has published another of information that had to be conveyed in a
do-it-yourself book, Denim Mania: 25 Ways to short amount of time,” Elliot said. “I thought elements and noted required information that
first concept was all about the subway trains
Transform Your Jeans, which shows ways to that it would be an interesting competition had to appear in the trailer, such as signature
and stations, and moving people, but it was
reinvent jeans to create various tops, bottoms for students because the clients were quite events, annual series, live events, assets and
way too much,” said Davis. “I simplified it to
and accessories. specific about the format and tone that the the Web site address. “The Lincoln Center
a subway map, using it as a visual device to
Webber’s first design challenge on Project project should adopt.” and HBO provided the required pictures and
reveal the information that the Lincoln Center
Runway resulted in a 1930s-reminiscent outfit Davis and her classmates had to create logos,” Davis said. “The difficult part was the
had specified.”
of wide-legged black trousers and a gold 60-second video trailers showcasing the Film technical execution of it all and trying to stay
To create her trailer, Davis also enlisted
blouse with short, puffed sleeves. Episode 2 Society’s 40-year reputation of screening within the guidelines.”
her technical training from previous courses
had her paired with 21-year-old design school cutting-edge films. Entries that made it past The finished animation features three
at SCAD with the conceptual skills gained in
grad Christian to construct his design for the initial round of judging were placed in the colored subway lines moving to different
the Theories class. Using the subway map
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line for Steve top 10 and further judged by representatives stops against a crisp white background and
as the main component in her piece, Davis
and Barry’s stores. The retro ’80s outfit did from the Film Society, HBO and other set to an upbeat instrumental track. Davis
placed Film Society-related “stops” on various
not receive high marks from the judges, but competition sponsors. submitted the completed trailer and promptly
lines —— including the Walter Reade Theater,
was well constructed and carried the two on Since Davis wasn’t extremely familiar with forgot about it when summer arrived —— until a
the New York Film Festival and Film Comment
to the next challenge. the Lincoln Center, nor had she ever been letter came in the mail naming her as a finalist.
magazine—— where subway station names
In the third episode, the designers were to New York, her creative process began “I squealed and screamed,” said Davis. “I got
would typically appear.
asked to create a professional, conservative with extensive research about life in the Big another letter a week later saying I was the
Davis created storyboards in Illustrator,
outfit for former New York Giants running Apple. The city’s elaborate subway system, a grand-prize winner!”
which were subject to classroom critiques and
back and Today Show correspondent Tiki popular method of transportation for New “Audrey was meticulous in her creative
used as references for creating the animation.
Yorkers, repeatedly stuck out to Davis. “My strategy and incorporated all of the client's
The Lincoln Center supplied specific design
During the 2007 SCAD Style week, designers Carmen Webber (center) and Carmia Marshall spoke
with SCAD students, faculty, staff and others about the versatility of the ubiquitous T-shirt and their
book, T-shirt Makeovers.
12 13

9. profiles > < profiles
“Audrey’s concept was
clear, organized and
playful all at once.”
Dane Sponberg
— Dominique Elliot
She’s Got Game
recommendations in her trailer,” said Elliot.
by Monique Bos
“Her concept was clear, organized and playful
all at once.”
Brenda Brathwaite didn’t set out to become
Davis and her parents flew to New York,
an expert on sex in video games. But during
courtesy of the Film Society and HBO; she met
her tenure as lead designer on Playboy: The
with staff at HBO Films, accepted her $5,000
Mansion, she realized the industry needed
prize and attended the premiere of her trailer
ways to discuss and assess adult content
(professionally remastered by HBO Films) at the
in games. So she stepped into the breach,
New York Film Festival Oct. 6, which screened
offering roundtables, launching an Internet
before Joel and Ethan Coen’s No Country for
discussion group, and ultimately, writing a
Old Men. Her trailer will be played before all
book on the topic.
Film Society screenings through 2009.
Now, a Presidential Fellowship for Faculty
Originally from Atlanta, Ga., Davis came
Development from the Savannah College of
to SCAD to study film and graphic design, but
Art and Design —— where Brathwaite has taught
found broadcast design and motion graphics
With the help of a SCAD Presidential Fellowship for Faculty Development, interactive design and
interactive design and game development
to be a better fit. “When I was introduced to game development professor Brenda Brathwaite created a presentation for parents addressing adult
since 2006 and was promoted to chair of the
the motion graphics major, I realized that it content in video games.
department in 2008—— has enabled her to
encompassed all I wanted to do,” said Davis.
Games: What’s Appropriate?” at the annual Brathwaite opposes censorship, yet
parlay her expertise into an exhibition and
“I’m one of those people who watches the
Game Developers Conference, providing a emphasizes the fact that not all content is
PowerPoint presentation for parents.
Super Bowl for the commercials and can't be
forum for game developers on all sides of the appropriate for all audiences. “People have
Brathwaite, the mother of three children
late to movies because I'll miss the opening
issue to discuss their views and experiences. a right to make what they want, provided
u n d e r a g e 1 0, co m b i n es h e r i n d u st r y
credits.”
She discovered that industry professionals had they are responsible about it,” she said. If a
knowledge with a recognition of the questions
Davis has one more year at SCAD, but
confronted a variety of challenges in regard to game has adult content, the designer “has a
parents face as they decide which games are
said the Film Society competition will be the
adult content and were eager to discuss their responsibility to make sure that kids don’t get
and aren’t appropriate for their children.
“golden egg” on her résumé.
experiences. “After that roundtable, I sort of their hands on it. But they do have a right to
The PowerPoint, “What You Don’t Know
To view Davis’ trailer, visit www.scad.
became the go-to person,” she said. “I talked make it,” she explained.
About Video Games,” provides parents
edu/broadcast-design-and-motion-graphics/
about something that no one else had talked That focus on responsibility informs her
with information about the Entertainment
audrey-davis.cfm.
about and I wanted to explore the topic in an PowerPoint, which aims to demystify game
Software Ratings Board, which rates each
academic way.” ratings and content, and equip parents with
game similarly to how the Motion Picture
Brathwaite subsequently founded and the knowledge to make informed decisions
Association of America rates films, and what
chaired the International Game Developers about what games they allow their children
the various rating levels mean.
Association’s Sex Special Interest Group (www. to play.
Brathwaite’s research into sexuality
igda.org/sex). She also wrote a book, Sex in Parents and game designers aren’t the
in games stemmed from her work as lead
Video Games (Charles Rivers Media, 2006), only ones Brathwaite has targeted with
designer on Playboy: The Mansion from
information about responsible choices. She
and has continued to speak on the topic at
2002-04. She discovered that no one was
has brought her expertise in sexual content,
numerous conferences, including the annual
talking much about sexuality in video games,
as well as her sense of humor, to her work on
GDC event, where she has been an invited
yet it seemed like an important issue. So in
a game being produced by the University of
presenter in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
2005, she held a roundtable, “Sexuality in
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