My name is Ranen Wise, and I’m a sophomore at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). I’m majoring in Illustration, with a minor in Concept Design and Sequential Art. When I was younger, I was like most kids; I loved to doodle whenever I had the chance. I found inspiration in things like the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book”, where I could fill the pages with silly drawings, or by searching online for reference pictures of my favorite characters to draw. By the time I reached middle school, I had started to think more deeply about the media I enjoyed, and that’s when I realized I wanted to pursue art professionally, whether by designing characters or developing the visual style of the projects I work on. Despite the fact that educators weren’t the sole reason why I wanted to become an artist, there are two that stand out in my mind as great motivators. Professor Montgomery was one of my first-year professors at SCAD, teaching Design II: 3-D Form in Space. It was a “foundation class”, part of the curriculum that every student takes before diving into their specific major. As the name suggests, our projects revolved around 3D design and architecture. We created pieces such as a diorama about protecting the Earth and a clay figure inspired by an endangered animal. Her class stood out for its sense of professionalism. While she sometimes seemed strict, she was actually kind, and her grading was fair considering the challenges of the work. Looking back, I still think her class came closest to replicating how a real design career might feel. She even described it as a design firm, with her playing the role of the client. My AP Studio Art teacher, Ms. Vazquez, taught me from Junior to Senior year (2018-2020) in high school. Most of her assignments throughout the year revolved around concentrations, artworks based around very specific concepts or themes that we focused on for a specific amount of time. Through her class, I had learned (and I’m still learning) that sometimes, you must be the one to shake things up with what you do in life. Once every year, she’d let her students do a drawing of anything they’d like (as long as she’d approve what you had in mind) out in the school’s courtyard. There was never a dull moment in her class! Shortly before the beginning of the pandemic, I had left one of my projects, a set of artworks revolving around the life and death of a robot with a heart, along with “remains of the robot” & a music box inside of a black wooden box decorated with wires & pieces from a broken video game controller. I can only wonder where exactly the gifts & artwork people had left behind for her and the class are now. Sadly, she had passed away around Summer of last year, and a Both of these educators give off the ideas that mean a lot to me in my craft: professionalism and fun, respectively. I want to be able to have fun with the work that I do (whenever possible) but I also want to be someone who is able to get out of his comfort zone and and it’s still something I’m learning how to do.

My name is Ranen Wise, and I’m currently a sophomore at the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD). I’m majoring in Illustration, which revolves around creating drawings. I focus on two areas: Concept Design, which involves making early sketches that help shape movies, games, and other media; and Sequential Art, which tells stories visually through comics & sketches called “storyboards”. My childhood played a big role in shaping the goals I’d soon pursue. Like many other kids, I would take any chance possible to doodle in the corners of my notebooks, draw my favorite characters with friends, or getting books I could draw in at the annual Scholastic Book Fair. However, it was during middle school that I realized I wanted to become an illustrator. The more I thought about the media I loved, the more I admired the people behind its artwork. These people take words or just vague ideas and transform them into full characters, settings, or stories that were heartfelt, comedic, and more. How amazing is that? Seeing a blank canvas, and being able to fill it up with ideas given visual form? Now, at this stage in my life, I bring that “blank canvas excitement” to my freelance work. Whenever I can, I help others bring their own ideas to life through custom artwork, also known as commissions. From portraits of pets to superhero designs to a marine biology poster, I’ve created a wide range of pieces for different clients. Getting a taste of this kind of work is exactly why I want to be a Concept Artist—a professional who does the same thing, but professionally, and through various sketches. The abilities I’ve gained don’t just give me a passion for art, they also give me passion for cooking, as well! Just like how I can see a blank canvas, I can also see a kitchen with random ingredients and come out with something good. Some adults in my generation have trouble cooking or figuring out how to, so I’m glad I’ll have the ability to do the best with what I have at home when there’s lots of ingredients, but also when the going gets rough. My goal is to turn my passion for art into a lifelong career, proving to my family and myself that it’s possible to thrive as an artist. The “starving artist” stereotype never discouraged me; instead, it’s motivated me to be versatile and build a wide range of abilities (what my parents like to call “tools in the toolbox”) so I can create opportunities and support myself doing what I love. That drive is especially meaningful because I am the first person in my family to pursue a career as a professional artist, and I’m proud to carry that responsibility. I’m thankful to have parents and a brother who support me and do whatever they can to set me up for success. However, financial challenges have sometimes made it hard to attend SCAD classes consistently or in person, and this scholarship would give me the opportunity to take full advantage of SCAD’s resources, helping me grow into the artist I’ve always envisioned becoming. If you’re interested in viewing samples of my art and character designs, my work is available online at www.rwiseart.com.

My name is Ranen Wise, and I’m currently a sophomore at Savannah College of Art & Design. My Major is Illustration and my Concentrations are Concept Design & Sequential Art. I’m working towards applying my skills to the comic, television, and video game industry through visual development, character design, storyboarding, and more. In my eyes, collaboration means communicating, sharing ideas, and receiving feedback/occasional help from others who share the same goal. That doesn’t always mean working with people who have the exact same strengths as me, though. Many comics, shows, and other well-known works have been created through collaborations between people with different strengths—such as an artist who excels visually but not in writing, paired with a writer whose art may pale in comparison to their storytelling capabilities. One of the many ways I collaborate with others is through SCAD’s classes. At the end of almost every project we complete, we display our final product, show our process, and explain how we got there. Once your explanation is over, you receive a critique from anyone willing to share their thoughts, and it’s a big help. There’s always someone—aside from the professor—who can offer valuable advice, and by looking at the work of others, you can discover ways to improve your own. Seeing things from another person’s perspective is incredibly helpful, especially since my art isn’t meant only for me to view. I know these critiques are preparing me for the art industry, helping me see feedback not as a personal attack, but as tips that can help me become more proficient at my craft. When collaborating with others in the same field, I believe it’s a great idea for someone still developing in a certain area to team up with someone more accomplished. That way, the learning process becomes much easier. When it comes to collaborating with people who have different skills, my best experience was developing what we have of “Deep Sea Blues”, an arcade-style mobile game I worked on with my high school friends. In the game, you play as a scuba diver collecting treasure from the ocean depths, “dash attacking” enemies, and managing your air supply as it slowly ticks down. Although the game is unfinished and currently on hiatus, I’m hopeful we will continue development in the future, when we’ve improved our respective crafts. My role was character designer and animator, while my friends handled coding, music, and debugging to ensure the game ran smoothly. Working on Deep Sea Blues taught me a lot about the give-and-take of creative teamwork—making the most of the resources you have, staying mindful of deadlines, and also understanding what it might feel like having an art-based role at a video game company. Throughout life—whether in art or not—I believe collaboration with others is essential. There’s so much to learn from it, and it strengthens your ability to work as part of a team. Both of these aspects of working with others will be invaluable as I grow into the multifaceted artist I envision myself becoming. If you’re interested in viewing samples of my art and character designs, my work is available online at www.rwiseart.com.

My name is Ranen Wise, and I’m currently a sophomore at Savannah College of Art & Design. My Major is Illustration and my Concentrations are Concept Design & Sequential Art. When I think about the motivation behind what I do, I’d say the first is my family. My dad got into his father’s real estate business at a fairly early age, even though he knew it wasn’t his passion. By the time most people are just beginning to think about what they want to do, he was already deep in the world of buying and selling houses—and later became a contractor. But he didn’t want that for me or my brother. He gave us free rein to figure out what we wanted to do in life. From the moment I realized I wanted to draw for a living, back in middle school, my mom, dad, and brother have always supported me—even during times when I felt like I didn’t deserve it. It hasn’t been easy for my parents to get me through college, and that’s why I’m doing everything I can to make the most of opportunities like this scholarship. Thanks to them, I’ve been able to keep pursuing what interested me from a young age and turn it into something real. Secondly, my childhood played a big role in shaping my pursuit of the art world. As I mentioned earlier, it was during middle school that I realized I wanted to become an illustrator. I spent my days constantly doodling characters from my favorite games and cartoons. The more I thought about the media I loved, the more I admired the people behind it—the ones who could take words or just vague ideas and transform them into full characters, settings, or stories that were heartfelt, comedic, and more. Eventually, I began creating my own characters and little worlds, heavily inspired by the things I enjoyed. Back then, I designed them as if they were meant for video games. These days, I create characters with the mindset that they could belong in anything—games, shows, cartoons, comics, or something entirely new. I never know where one of my ideas might take me. Now, at this stage in my life, I bring that same passion to my freelance work. I help others bring their own ideas to life through artwork—and that’s one of the most fulfilling parts of what I do. This is the reason why one of my biggest goals is to be a conceptual artist: a person who brings ideas to life professionally! However, I’d like to work on something of my own once I’ve gained some experience in the industry. I imagine the story I create being rooted in action and comedy—genres I’ve always loved. There’s something so satisfying about how the two can blend seamlessly with emotional or even sad moments, without overshadowing each other. Whether it’s a cartoon, live-action show, comic, or a form of media we’ve yet to see, I’m excited to one day share a story of my own. As I think about the kind of work I want to create in the future, I also consider the tools I use to get there. I see artificial intelligence as a tool—not as a replacement for myself as the artist. It’s an assistant, something that can help spark ideas or support the early stages of creation. For example, I might use it to ask me questions about a character to get the ball rolling, or to help brainstorm color palettes. Even though we now live in a world where people can generate content without lifting a finger, I have no intention of giving up on my dreams. I believe that art made by hand—through real thought, skill, and emotion—will always have its place in the future.

My name is Ranen Wise, and I’m currently a sophomore at Savannah College of Art & Design. My Major is Illustration and my Concentrations are Concept Design & Sequential Art. I’m working towards applying my skills to the comic, television, and video game industry through visual development, character design, storyboarding, and more. I’ve chosen to pursue art because I have a genuine love for creation. Whether I’m creating for myself or for others, I always find fulfillment in the process. There’s nothing that feels more rewarding than having the ability to transform a blank canvas into a piece that resonates with me and the people I share it with. Like many kids, I spent my childhood doodling almost daily, but I didn’t realize I wanted to pursue art seriously until I was around ten or eleven. Even if I never wanted to earn a penny from it, I would still create art. I love creating my own original characters, as well as illustrating favorite characters from the types of media I enjoy. I see being an artist as a blessing, not just within the world of art, but beyond it! My creativity has helped me in ways that may seem unexpected, like improving my cooking skills. I often take random ingredients from around the house and turn them into dishes no one would expect, just like combining my inspirations with original ideas to create something new. The only difference is the “ingredients” I use. Whether I work freelance or for a company, my goal is to create work that captivates—art that leaves a lasting impression and encourages people to see more. Ideally, I hope it also inspires others to create something of their own. In life, my family serves as a big inspiration. Both of my parents, along with my brother, have always been incredibly supportive of my passions—whether it’s attending conventions to sell fan art or backing my decision to attend Savannah College of Art and Design after high school. I’m proud to be the first person in my family to pursue a career as a professional artist. I’m incredibly grateful to have them in my life; they do everything they can to help me succeed. Alongside my family, many artists have motivated me to keep creating. One of my major influences is the famous Japanese manga artist, Osamu Tezuka. I’ve admired his work since I was a kid—his occasionally squat, cartoony proportions and signature character design details, like pointed shoulders in clothing, have shaped the way I draw my own characters. His science-fiction manga “Astro Boy” and medical-fiction manga “Black Jack” are my personal favorites. Another influence is the work of multiple artists spread across the entire “Mega Man” video game series. I always have Astro Boy and Mega Man’s many character designs held close to my heart. They’re a major reason why I enjoy drawing technologically advanced characters such as robots, androids, aliens, and the occasional vehicle, as you’ll see in the samples of my work. However, even with all these inspirations (and many more I haven’t mentioned), I don’t want to simply imitate their work. I’m always working to keep developing my own unique vision in my art!

My name is Ranen Wise, and I’m currently a sophomore at Savannah College of Art & Design. My Major is Illustration and my Concentrations are Concept Design & Sequential Art. I create illustrations featuring my original characters and fan art based on my favorite media, but I’m also working towards making a positive impact on the world by applying my skills to the comic, television, and video game industry through visual development, character design, storyboarding, and more. My goal is to create work that captivates people; art that leaves a lasting impression and encourages them to seek more. If possible, I’d also like for the people who see my work to be inspired to make something of their own, too! While I’ve almost always had this as one of my objectives behind creating, a lesson from my dad helped solidify its importance and reminded me why I strive towards this goal. He’s a general contractor, and his goal is to oversee the construction of houses from beginning to end, and give a beautiful finished product to his clients. Me and him aren’t so different; we both use our tools and the knowledge of our crafts to develop something, and our customers like the results to be eye-catching. The only difference is that I create artwork, and he creates houses. He informed me that in his line of work, most of the people he builds houses for aren’t invested in the construction world the same way that he is, so he has to put his best foot forward in anything he does. The same goes for me! Most people will engage with media through its finished visuals, characters, story, or comedic/dramatic value rather than all the internal work it took to get it made, unless they are interested in the inner workings of the industry. I am the first person in my family to pursue a career as a professional artist, and I’m proud of it. I’m thankful to have parents and a brother who support me and do whatever they can to put me into the best position possible. Financial challenges have made it difficult to attend classes at SCAD consistently or in person. This scholarship will allow me to take full advantage of SCAD’s in-person resources, events, and mentorship—helping me grow into the best artist I can be.

While I draw inspiration from countless artists, from legends like Walt Disney and Osamu Tezuka to the occasional influence of Akira Toriyama, my biggest influence is my family. My dad is always motivating me to step outside my comfort zone. This is because, of course, you’re often out of it when going through the struggles of life, especially on your own. Despite my hesitation, when I follow the advice he gives, I grow and always come out stronger for it. Both of my parents, along with my brother, have always been incredibly supportive of my passions—whether it’s attending conventions to sell fan art or backing my decision to attend Savannah College of Art and Design after high school. I am the first person on either my mom's or dad's side of the family to pursue a career as a professional artist in any form. Although they are not deeply familiar with the world I’m entering, I make an effort to share my experiences with them. In turn, they have always done their best to support me and to provide opportunities that put me in the position to succeed. I want to be a multifaceted artist that works in all sorts of creative fields. Specializing in only one area can limit your job opportunities; for example, if there’s no current demand for character design and that is your sole focus, it’ll become challenging to find work. By developing a wide range of skills, I’ll be capable of doing multiple jobs within the industry. By the time I graduate from SCAD, I want to be capable of penciling and inking comics, creating storyboards and character sheets, producing full illustrations, and drawing rough concept sketches. These skills all revolve around the ability to draw, but are at different points in the art creation pipeline. One of the qualities that sets me apart is the speed at which I can create when I am fully engaged. When I encounter creative block, I often overcome it by taking character requests from friends—usually involving video game or cartoon characters, many of whom I’ve never drawn before. I’m often surprised by how quickly I can capture and reproduce a character’s design accurately. I feel that this will help when I’m working on professional jobs, because when you’re on someone else’s project, such as a cartoon, game, or comic, you need to get a feel for their art style, and fast. Another strategy I use is revisiting my old sketchbooks to redesign characters I created during middle and early high school. When I return to these old concepts, I can immediately identify how to update their designs to reflect my current artistic style and skill set, giving new life to ideas that first sparked my excitement for drawing so long ago. My ultimate goal is to build a career doing what I love while being versatile enough to work across multiple creative fields. I aspire to provide for the family I will one day create and, in doing so, express my appreciation for all that my family has done—and continues to do—for me.