Brian Heagney

About Brian Heagney

A HISTORY OF SIMULATION: Before joining High Point University (HPU) to specialize in…

Experience

1. Assistant Professor of Game Design

   High Point University

   Aug 2013 — Present · High Point, NC, US

   SIMULATION AND GAMING TECHNOLOGYI specialize in video game and 3D real-time simulation technologies including The Unreal Engine, 3D modeling, shader development, digital cameras and lighting, visual scripting for custom interactions, user-interface design and development, motion capture, technical animation, android app development, scrum and agile development, and much more.MENTORSHIPThroughout my time at HPU, I have mentored over 100 students on over 20 projects. Those students have presented their projects as poster presentations, oral presentations, and expo exhibits at almost a dozen conferences throughout the state of NC, the country, and internationally.COURSESANIMATION FOR GAMES: We learn how the fundamentals of animation apply to 2D and 3D animation, and make both 2D and 3D playable game characters in game development software.CHARACTER DESIGN: We overcome tropes and stereotypes, design complex characters with rich histories, balance character abilities using spreadsheets, digitally paint 2D and digitally sculpt 3D playable game characters.USER INTERFACE DESIGN: we use many types of user-interface theories to design for the optimal user-experience. We discuss control and feedback to enhance communication between the player and the game.PUZZLE, OBSTACLE & LEVEL DESIGN: The tools: Unreal/Unity/Source/Max/Maya/Blender/Etc. The aim: produce profound multi- and single-player maps, levels and experiences.COLLABORATIVE GAME DESIGN: I work with incredible students from High Point University as they embark on a collaborative effort to produce a video game. In the Spring of 2016 one team placed in the top 5 student games in the country at E3.3D MODELING FOR GAMES: We learn HOW to model. Then we learn WHY to model. Then we learn how to embed our objects with meaning through form, material, and the weathering of time.

Education

• Guilford College

  Bachelor's degree, Double Major: Sculpture; Sociology/Anthropology

  1995 — 1999

• Pratt Institute

  Master of Architecture, Architecture

  2002 — 2005

Skills

• Real Time
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office
• Sketching
• Architectural Drawings
• Interactive Flash Animation
• Microsoft Project
• Autocad
• Cad
• Architecture
• Adobe Audition
• 3d
• Unreal Engine 4
• Sustainable Design
• 3d Rendering
• Unity3d
• Adobe Indesign
• Computer-Aided Design (Cad)
• Drawing
• Adobe Photoshop
• Public Speaking
• Rendering
• Illustration
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Urban Design
• 3d Visualization
• 3d Studio Max
• Unreal Editor
• Sketchup
• Urban Planning
• Gis