Graduation Spotlight: Willis Froetschel, Visualization
Willis Froetschel was intrigued by making art as a child. The El Paso native said he was “infamous” in kindergarten for creating sculptures out of construction paper and tape.
He also was influenced by his brother’s interest in computers, and he took a 3D animation course in high school. When he learned that Texas A&M’s Visualization program was one of the best in the nation, it solidified his interest in pursuing animation in college.
Froetschel is set to graduate Friday with a Bachelor of Science degree in Visualization. He will also be honored as a distinguished student in the School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts’ Graduation Recognition Ceremony earlier in the day.
“I know so many other students in my class that are equally as involved as I am, and with incredible artistic talent that I admire,” he said. “So, to be selected for this award is indescribable. I am extremely thankful for the faculty and staff that selected me for this.”
During his time in the program, Froetschel said he was most proud of the animated short “Cluck’d Up,” which is about a fox making a visit to a chicken coop. Froetschel and his team created the short during the program’s Summer Industry Course, and it won Best in Show honors at Viz-a-GoGo 31 on May 4.
“This short was special, because I worked with some of the best artists in Visualization, and we all put in long hours for 10 weeks straight,” he said. “We were mentored by DreamWorks and Meta employees, and I learned how to have an industry level ‘critical eye’ to all of the work we were creating.”
Following graduation, Froetschel is moving to Dallas to work as a motion graphics designer for design firm Populous.
“The people I met at Populous through the interview process seemed amazing and I can’t wait to work alongside them,” he said.
Froetschel credits Caleb Kicklighter, instructional associate professor, and Dmitri Koustov, senior lecturer, as influential instructors who provided helpful feedback that encouraged him to further his craft.
“Caleb provides extremely fair and honest critiques, but he does so as he truly cares about pushing each student to become professionals,” Froetschel said. “I can attribute a good portion of the skills and programs I learned to Caleb’s critiques, and he has influenced my work more than any other professor.
“Entering college and Visualization specifically, I was not a confident person or artist. Dmitri was the first professor to pull the confidence out of me, and through critique he gave me honest advice that pushed me to create work I was proud of.”
Photo by Autumn Fairchild
