Ethan's Physics in Animation

Eighth grade student Ethan's "ICE THE TEA" project perfectly showcases how our class embraces problem-solving, creativity, and technical skill in digital media. Using Blender, Ethan explored rigid body and liquid physics, simulating ice splashing into iced tea through a fifty-frame animation. This project highlights our core teaching philosophy—learning through experimentation, resilience, and iteration.

Ethan approached this project like a hunter and gatherer of knowledge, seeking out solutions and refining his approach without a step-by-step guide. Every problem—whether technical, creative, or logistical—was something he had to identify, research, and overcome on his own. When setbacks occurred, he adapted, demonstrating the kind of independent problem-solving and resourcefulness we emphasize in class.

By blending physics-based animation with creative problem-solving, this project showcases how hands-on learning empowers students to think critically, push creative boundaries, and develop technical skills they can carry into future projects.

Lucas – Igor Album Cover Recreation

For this project, Lucas explored 3D modeling and texturing in Blender by recreating the album cover for Igor by Tyler, The Creator. Inspired by the raw, imperfect aesthetic of both Igor and Cherry Bomb, he adapted his workflow to embrace stylized errors rather than aiming for a flawless model.

Throughout the process, Lucas developed critical problem-solving skills, learning to troubleshoot issues independently using tutorials and teacher feedback. He refined his texturing and extrusion techniques, gaining a deeper understanding of how to efficiently bring a creative vision to life. This project not only strengthened his technical skills but also reinforced the importance of trusting the process and adapting to challenges in digital art.