Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Alex Alvarez

Director

Alex is an alumni of the Art Center College of Design and the University of Pennsylvania. He has a background in illustration using traditional media and computer graphics, having worked for companies such as Malibu Comics and Activision. Prior to Gnomon, Alex worked as an Applications Engineer for Alias|Wavefront, where he was a consultant and trainer for studios in the Los Angeles area.

Alex has been published in 3d Design Magazine and has taught courses at several major trade conferences. His character animation project has appeared on major cgi websites and on the cover of the recently published MAYA 2 CHARACTER ANIMATION book published by New Riders. Alex also sits on the Advisory Board of HIGHEND3D.COM and the Executive Committee for the Los Angeles Alias|Wavefront Users Group.

Darrin Krumweide

CAO, Associate Director

Darrin is an alumni of the Art Center College of Design, where he studied Transportation and Industrial Design. After graduating, Darrin was employed as an Applications Engineer for Alias|Wavefront for three years where he received numerous awards including: Outstanding Technical Support in 1994 and 1995. Darrin then moved to the entertainment industry as a Senior Animator/Modeler with Kronos Digital Entertainment, Inc. for two years. After leaving Kronos, he began teaching at the Art Center College of Design while simultaneously working as an independent artist/consultant with entertainment companies such as Warner Bros., Honda, Sega and MCA/Universal.

Kristin Bierschbach

Director of Administration

Kristin is a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, MO where she earned a BA in Art History. Upon returning to California, Kristin went to work at the Art Center College of Design in the Special Programs Department. During her six years at Art Center, Kristin counseled hundreds of prospective students on careers in every aspect of visual arts. She oversaw a 50 percent increase in extension attendance for Art Center at Night and the Saturday High School Program and was promoted to Assistant Director of Special Programs. At Gnomon she has built the infrastructure of administration that has helped make us successful.

Pam Hogarth

Director of Advancement

Pam has been in the world of computer graphics for over 19 years. In that time she has done marketing, public and industry relations, and training for a wide range of companies and educational institutions. She has taught at The American Film Institute, Otis College of Art and Design, and Digital Media Institute (where she was Director) and has lectured on computer graphics, digital careers and visual effects at various international conferences here and abroad. Pam is on the Board of Directors of the Visual Effects Society, Co-Chair of the VES Education Committee, and a co-founder and steering committee member of the Alliance of Digital Effects Production Trainers (ADEPT). She holds a B.S. in Fine Art from Springfield College and an M.Ed. in Vocational Counseling from Kent State University.

Heather Hughes

Director of Marketing

Heather Hughes brings over 9 years of marketing and press relations experience in the high-tech industry to Gnomon. Having spent 7 years in field marketing at Alias, now Autodesk, the leader in 3D computer graphic software, she successfully developed and executed on regional marketing initiatives, programs and product launches for the North American sales team. For 2 years prior, Heather worked as an account executive for a San Francisco based dotcom advertising agency, servicing clients such as Fujitsu and WebMB.

Heather also spent several years in the wine industry, working in sales, marketing and press relations for a privately held winery in Sonoma County. She holds a BA in Communication Disorders and Speech Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Eric Miller

Director of Distance Education

Is an alumnus of Gnomon School of Visual Effects Certificate Program. Prior to his transition into 3D, Eric studied fine art and computer design at the Academy of Art University. He also worked as a Production/Project Specialist for Bank of America, where he served as technical consultant on many nationwide network and software migrations. After graduating, Eric began working as Gnomon’s System Administrator, managing the Gnomon network and all hardware/software issues in the facility. Eric has also worked as a freelance Maya Character setup artist, FX artist, and Texture Painter. He also works as a 3D systems/network consultant for studios in the Hollywood area.

Tefft Smith II

Director of Education

Is an alumnus of Gnomon School of Visual Effects Certificate Program. Prior to Gnomon he received a BFA in Animation and a Photography/Design double minor from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. His work experience includes working for studios such as: Look Effects Inc., Zoic Studios, Gradient Effects LLC., and Star Dust. His most recent prior position was 3D Supervisor for Gradient Effects.Teffts' credits include: Southland Tales, Next, Passion of the Christ, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”, “Bones”, “Criminal Minds”, Pontiac ‘Detail’, Need For Speed ‘the Chase’.