Student Spotlight: Alex opens up about a "Touchy" subject

Get to know the students that are the driving force of the Emergent Media Center. Student Spotlight features one of our current students, highlights what they’re doing here, and some fun facts about them.

Meet Alex Beauchesne. Alex is in his junior year and studies Game Programming. He hails from Dalton, MA.

What brought you to the EMC?
I’m a work-study student and was looking for a job that would give me direct experience in my major. My current position as an Interactive Designer involves game development and exploring new technology, so I thought it would be a great opportunity!

How long have you worked here?
I started working at the EMC in the fall of 2012, so I’ve been at the EMC for 3 semesters so far.

What project are you currently working on?
My most current project is exploring TouchDesigner – experimenting with cool technology. I am working on bug fixes at the moment for a display we are doing at the Vermont Tech Jam. TouchDesigner technology allows the ability to touch the screen and manipulate polygons; when you touch the screen, it puts down another vertex. [At the time of the interview] I’ve only been working on this project for 2 weeks and had major progress in the past couple days.

Who are your role models?
The closest things I have to role models include several independent game developers, such as Matt Thorson, creator of Towerfall, and Edmund McMillen, creator of Super Meat Boy. I’m inspired by their success in indie game development and drive to convey themes and messages through game play.

What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to start my own small game studio. If that doesn’t work initially, I want to work for a small studio until I obtain the means to start my own.

And, everyone’s favorite question, “what is your favorite food?”.
Pasta with pesto sauce!