How Achievement/Trophy Hunting Turned into Skill Hunting

I grew up playing games from before my time on the Atari and the Sega Genesis. I tried to master every console and game I could find. In school, I focused on drawing and painting. After school, it was back to video games. Although I didn’t become a Major League Gamer (there’s still time, right?), my obsession with game art, digital media, and storytelling grew each year.

My passion for game mastery translated seamlessly into skill mastery. I’ve always loved learning and solving problems (I taught myself half the Adobe Suite when I was 16 and they were still on a disc). In undergrad, I majored in Graphic Design with minors in Studio Art and Book Arts. This allowed me to pursue technical skills and continue drawing, painting, and creating. 

After undergrad, I worked as an interactive designer before joining Microsoft as a senior product designer. In my free time, I tackled technical certifications, training, and online courses at School of Motion and CG Master Academy to explore and sharpen skills. 

In 2025, I moved from Washington, D.C. to Ireland to pursue a MSc in Interactive Digital Media at Trinity College Dublin. I’m currently focused on merging my background in design, computer science, and visual storytelling to create accessible, user-centered, and innovative solutions.

It Can’t Just Be Design

If you can’t tell already, I like to stay busy! I’m currently in Dublin with my spouse, two cats, and a dog. When I’m not chasing a new skill, you can find me traveling, cooking, hiking, running half marathons, skiing, kayaking, reading, and of course, gaming.