Ivy Tech is very proud of Patrick Peterson. Patrick graduated from Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus in 2003 with a degree in Visual Communications, a concentration in multimedia, and a specialization in 3D rendering and animation. He is now one of the designers of the 3D background shots for the film “Avatar,” produced by James Cameron’s Lightstorm company. Having completed his work on “Avatar,” he is currently working on the film “The Adventures of Tintin,” directed by Stephen Spielberg.
Jonathan Wilson, Ivy Tech Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Design, was instrumental, according to Patrick, in arranging for instructors to teach a range of software that Peterson needed that was not included in the curriculum. Following Patrick’s graduation, Jonathan helped him obtain a job with Outside Source (an Indianapolis graphic design agency), to create 3D models and animations of blood sugar measurement products for Roche diagnostics.
Patrick then attended the Digital Animation and Visual Effects School, located in Orlando, Florida, after which he worked on “Avatar.” While at Lightstorm, Peterson worked with the Virtual Art Department, creating low resolution real time environments for the director’s camera.
He was then offered a job by Weta Digital, a world leading visual effects company based in Wellington, New Zealand, where he moved and currently lives while working on “Tintin.”
Jonathan commented, “This student had the opportunity to find himself at Ivy Tech, which allowed him to pursue his career dreams. I fondly remember him as one of our best students ever.”