Graduation Spotlight: Ellie Hague, Visualization

Ellie Hague’s decision on which college to attend came down to the University of Texas or Texas A&M University. Her decision was guided by her instincts and artistic passions.

“I love the way art can make people feel and see the world in new ways,” she said. “And something just felt so right about the Visualization program at Texas A&M — the atmosphere, the culture and the attitudes of the people spoke to me.”

Hague, who grew up in College Station, is set to graduate Dec. 18 with a Bachelor of Science in Visualization. She will be honored as a distinguished student in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts’ Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Dec. 17.

“I am extremely grateful and honored to receive this award,” she said. “There are so many incredibly talented and hard-working students, faculty and staff who have helped me get to where I am today. I’ve always felt that the culture within the Visualization program is one of the things that truly sets it apart, and I’m very appreciative to be recognized in this way.”

The program brought her love of painting, science and math together, Hague said, and she enjoyed overcoming challenges that pushed her to find a solution.

“There’s always a strange sense of relief and giddiness when you finally solve that hard math problem, or when your code finally works,” she said. “So, Visualization combines both of those worlds that had always been a part of me — the math, science and technology with visual design and artistry.”

Hague’s love of painting flourished in a course led by Felice House, M.F.A., associate professor. With every art project, Hague said she learned how to represent fine details in light and shadows, and how to interpret critiques about her work.

“Professor House made the class incredibly enjoyable,” Hague said. “She would take the time to personally give targeted feedback to every student, and after every class, my painting always looked better. Not only did we learn about the technique of painting, but also about the rich history of painting, which only drove us to be better artists in the future.”

Hague completed the Undergraduate Research Thesis Scholars program, in which she conducted a research project about classic children’s literature illustrations in a modern-day context. It received the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Thesis in Creative Works award from Texas A&M’s Office of Undergraduate Research.

She also designed the cover art for the 2025 edition of “Explorations: The Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal,” which featured a dragon creature in the ocean.

Two professors were pivotal during her time in the program, Hague said: Jill Honeycutt, M.F.A., senior associate academic undergraduate program director and instructional associate professor; and Mayet Andreassen, M.F.A., instructional associate professor.

“Professor Honeycutt will always go out of her way to help her students, and genuinely cares about what they have to say,” Hague said. “Professor Andreassen is one of the nicest people I have ever met, and she is always willing to go the extra mile for her students and the Visualization program.”

After graduation, Hague will start an internship at RWS Global in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she will create concept designs for theme parks and entertainment studios. Hague said her college training equipped her for this next chapter.

“I love to tell people that the most important thing that the Visualization program taught me is how to learn,” she said. “In the industry, the technology will always be changing. And for your skills to stay relevant in a competitive job market, you have to adapt and grow — which requires learning not just the new technology, but new ways of thinking and ideas.”