Blending Tech and Art: Kirsten England's Journey from Gnomon to Naughty Dog

Gnomon's Alumni Spotlight Series delves into the inspiring stories of our graduates, exploring their unique paths from adolescence to college life to industry professionals. Discover their passions, learn from their experiences, and get valuable tips for following in their footsteps.

In a recent interview with Gnomon alum Kirsten England, we explored her journey from a paint-covered kid in Wisconsin to a seasoned visual effects artist at Naughty Dog. Kirsten shared how her love for art and math led her to 3D art, despite. Her story is one of curiosity and relentless learning, ultimately leading her to Gnomon, where she found the perfect blend of technical skills and artistic expression. Read on to discover the key lessons she learned as a student and professional, and her tips for aspiring digital artists.

Where did you grow up and what were your passions at a young age?  
My name is Kirsten England, and I'm from Wisconsin. I always liked art as a kid and was usually covered in some version of paint or mud or other traditional art materials. But I was also the weird kid that really liked math, too. As I grew older, I felt like I had to choose between the two, and I chose art. However, I missed the logic and puzzles that math provided. I never knew I could combine the two, and that's exactly what my career allows me to do now (as well as still be a big kid and talk about dinosaurs and monster trucks).

How did you discover 3D in the first place?
I loved art, cartoons, and games as a kid but didn't know much about how it was all made. I was trained traditionally in illustration and eventually picked up Photoshop and a small chunk of the Adobe creative suite but still had no clue how 3D art was made. I remember when Rapunzel came out, and I was just absolutely blown away at how gorgeous the new era of 3D animation was. I remember when I picked up a PS3 after only really being exposed to Mario and a couple of N64 and PS2 games my friends had and being dumbfounded by how insane 3D game graphics were. It was just magic, and I loved it. I started snatching up art books left and right thinking, “OK, this is how I can get my foot in the door. If I can concept, then I can learn this 3D magic.”  

I wound up working as a UI/UX Designer/2D Illustrator for a mobile company when I met someone in the same building who was doing 3D mobile games. I started asking them questions about how they got into it all. They mentioned a bunch of software and technical terms and told me I would need to know the software and 3D practices if I wanted to work in the entertainment industry. They eventually told me about a school that was known for teaching students what they needed to know for working in the entertainment industry. That school was Gnomon.  

I checked out what was taught there, and it was everything that I wanted to learn: how to model, texture and more. When I saw that they had a physical school in CA (I was living in Boston at the time) I made the life changing decision to apply. I honestly didn't know how technical it was all going to be; I just knew I wanted to make art that fit into the 3D world. At the time I technically wanted to “model and texture,” but I didn't even know what those terms meant. I wanted to learn the magic! Going to Gnomon was definitely the best decision of my life!

Was it scary going from 2D to 3D?
Everything was new. The technical skills were a hurdle for sure, but that's why I was at Gnomon. I honestly only really knew Photoshop and a lot of people seemed to have way more 3D experience than me. But what was said from day one is that if you put in the work, the technical skills will come, and that was very true. My first exposure to a 3D class was the teacher having us open Maya, then open the script editor and script adding a new camera into a scene. It was a lot. So, I just kept asking questions and doing assignments. I started by asking my classmates questions when I didn't understand something, and no one made me feel silly for asking. It felt like we were all learning it together, regardless of previous 3D experience. Sometimes my classmates would offer to stay in the lab to work on the assignments together at first.

I also didn't have a computer at the time so I would stay in lab a lot my first year at Gnomon (I was part of the 2-year Certificate Program), and I met so many different people just by asking questions. I think it's extremely telling that I still randomly run into some of these people in the industry. I think the coolest thing was that everyone in lab was extremely approachable. There were people making some of the coolest models I've ever seen, and they were so kind about it all. Sure, there was etiquette, and I didn't interrupt people who were focused, but there were many repeat faces that I kept talking to. Later, I returned the favor by trying to answer questions from newer students. Sometimes teachers would even let me crash their classes to learn something a different teacher wasn't going over. I was a sponge. 

The curriculum was paced out very well. Learning to model something simple and real, then learning to model from a simple concept. That mindset was applied throughout every subsequent class. Start small, real, and simple, then continue. The well-rounded curriculum gave me so much exposure to things I never thought I would be interested in. That curiosity has followed me throughout my career. 

How was it moving to LA for the first time?
When I moved to L.A. it was a giant shock. I honestly didn't like it for the first year, but now I see it as home. I moved from Boston and missed my friends and public transportation. Boston had similar prices, so the expense wasn't drastically different for me, but I hadn't driven in forever. So, I bought a bike and used that to get around for the first couple years. I had a friend/classmate (Quinn Kazamaki, hello!) that I lived near, and we would sometimes walk or bike home at night together. Occasionally I'd get rides home with friends if I was too tired to bike home after class or lab. Other than that, I'd take the bus. My friends and I would explore here and there but it was usually within walking distance or sometimes someone would have a car and take a group of people somewhere. The camaraderie was really wonderful. 

What are the biggest lessons you've learned during your time at Gnomon?
Never stop asking questions! Gnomon helped foster my curiosity in that I didn't have to know the answers to everything. I could either research it online, look through menus or ask a peer/teacher about how to approach a task. Some of my closest friends are from Gnomon. I've worked with a ton of people from Gnomon. I think the biggest thing I learned is a different way to think about tasks and assignments. 

What advice would you give to recent graduates on how to survive and thrive in this world? 
Don't be afraid of technical skills or trying new things. Even if you know exactly what you want to do, having a basic understanding of technical skills already gives you a leg up. I thought I wanted to be a texture artist, but I set up a rig in my demo reel. That got me noticed, and I found that I actually really like technical work! It allows you to marry math and art. You don't need to be perfect and know it all. What's important is your attitude and openness to exploring things. Whether it’s learning something new or being willing to adjust a technique based on new explorations or knowledge. Keep the critical thinking and problem solving.

Gnomon is proud to celebrate Kirsten England's remarkable journey from art-loving Wisconsin kid to professional artist at Naughty Dog. Kirsten’s story is an inspiring example for current and future students, showing that with passion and determination, extraordinary success is possible. We are honored to have been a part of her journey as she connected the dots between her love of math and art to become a successful visual effects artist!  

About Gnomon

For over 25 years, Gnomon has educated many of the world’s best digital artists on its state-of-the-art campus in Los Angeles, California. Recognized as one of the top U.S. colleges in Forbes' 2023 rankings and called “the MIT of visual effects” by Fast Company magazine, Gnomon offers a variety of educational options to help students reach their goals in the entertainment industry, with certificate and degree programs, and over 100 individual courses. Our comprehensive programs, experienced faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities ensure that every student can achieve their full potential, just like Kirsten. Gnomon's strong industry partnerships give students real-world experience and a competitive edge in the job market. Connect with a Gnomon rep and take the first step in your art journey!  

Follow Kirsten on ArtStation or connect with her on LinkedIn.