Merging Artistry and Technology - A Look at Animation and Concept Development with Jeff Dewitt

As we conclude the first season of the CETL PIE Podcast, we speak with Jeff Dewitt, a faculty member in Animation and Concept Development at Madison College. Jeff has had an exciting career in the gaming industry and is now passionate about teaching the next generation of animators and concept developers. Jeff shares his experiences and insights on the key skills that he teaches in his classes, both traditional and digital. We also discuss the challenges facing animators and concept developers today, and how Jeff addresses them in his teaching.

One interesting teaching technique that Jeff discusses is his group critique method. He shares how he uses this technique to encourage collaboration and peer learning in his classes. Additionally, Jeff talks about the importance of industry partnerships and how he collaborates with industry to benefit his students.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jeff, as we explore the world of animation and concept development and gain valuable insights into his teaching philosophy and practice.

Jeff Dewitt started his career in 1996 at Raven Software, located in Madison, Wisconsin, as a concept artist and 3D modeler. Upon completion of his first two titles, Jeff moved to the animation team at Raven Software and began work as a character and creature animator on multiple AAA titles through the late nineties. In 1999, Jeff accepted an animation position at Human Head Studios and would go on to animate the main character for the studios inaugural IP titled Rune. During his time at Human Head Studios Jeff was the studio's lead animator, the art director of the PlayStation 2 version of Rune, and the motion capture director/lead animator on the hit franchise Prey which sold over a million units.

In 2006, Jeff and three partners started a small development studio call Big Rooster, which collaborated on multiple game titles such as Aliens: Colonial Marines (Gearbox Software), Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare) and a Lego Batman marketing project (TT Games). In 2009, Jeff made a career change and took a full-time teaching position at Madison College and has been with the college ever since. Today Jeff keeps busy by doing various freelance projects, spending time with his wife and two young children, and staying involved with the local development community.