by Sarah Trask
Background
Professor Amanda Quist is an Associate Professor of Digital Arts within our Media Arts program. She is also an award-winning motion graphics artist and designer who studied graphic design in Minnesota before receiving an MFA in motion media design from the Savannah College of Art & Design. She has worked as a graphic designer, managed community television, directed programming for an international film festival, and has been teaching design and motion graphics at the college level for 10 years. We are honored to have this new member of the Crown family sharing her expertise with our Media Arts students.
Integrating Faith: Art and the Christian Perspective
Because media reveals the values of those who create it, Professor Quist believes strongly in the need for Christian perspective in the arts. “The world needs more Christian artists! Designers and filmmakers are ultimately creators of culture. The things we make can show our faith and shape the way we relate to the world.” Professor Quist aims to help students share their unique perspectives through their work. Throughout her classes, students can wrestle with a wide range of topics through analyzing artworks, images, and movies in an environment of a shared faith and Christian perspective.
Creating the Creators of the Future
Looking to the future, Professor Quist wants to help the new media arts program grow and thrive; this is something she has done before with the design and motion graphics curriculum at her previous institution. She designs her classes to empower students to perform at their highest potential. Her approach challenges them to produce exceptional, award-winning work while fostering their academic growth and success.
Q&A
Question: What class/classes are you the most passionate about teaching and why?
Answer: “Motion Graphics. I absolutely love when students get to add sound and animation to the images that they are making. It’s so fun to see those ideas come to life.”
Question: What is your teaching style and how does it inspire academic excellence in your students?
Answer: “I believe that the classroom should be fun! I try to create a collaborative, hands-on environment in my classes.”
Question: If your younger self was one of your students, what advice would you give them regarding their studies?
Answer: “Be open to possibilities and don’t be overcome by the fear of failure because that stifles your creativity.”
Question: What is your favorite thing about being a professor at Crown?
Answer: “I’m excited to build something new! I also love the students here. They have all been so warm and welcoming – we have a great community here at Crown!”
