To help shape the next era of interactive games, I’m bridging coding and creative artistry

Growing up, my bedroom was filled with journals packed with sketches, character designs and mechanics for video games I dreamed of building once I had the tools. 

I was taught how to code when I was 11 and created my first playable game. Ever since, I’ve lived at the intersection of creative artistry and technical software engineering, producing everything from character-focused animations to custom interactive media. 

So when I discovered the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts and Sciences program at UF’s Digital Worlds Institute in the College of the Arts, I knew immediately that I had found the right academic home.

Digital Worlds is a close-knit, collaborative environment that gives students direct access to professors, which is rare in higher education. On any given day, an animator might sit next to a programmer, a sound designer or a 3D modeler. Working alongside people who have entirely different skill sets constantly challenges us to expand our creative ranges. Being immersed in that environment has transformed how I approach creative work. 

Before coming to UF, much of my development happened in isolation. As a kid, I spent countless hours independently creating custom content and modifications for games like Terraria, writing raw code line by line, and learning through trial and error how game architecture operates behind the scenes. That self-directed background gave me technical discipline and taught me how to listen directly to player communities, but Digital Worlds showed me the power of team-driven production.

Here, game design is not a solitary effort; it is a collaborative craft. Working on team-based game projects like Yuumi-Chan: Rent is Due! taught me how to lead within a creative pipeline. Working as head animator meant not only bringing our characters to life but also helping my fellow artists adapt their traditional drawing styles to the unique demands of our pixel art world. Digital Worlds creates a space where we can cross-pollinate ideas, translating static artwork into responsive interactive experiences that feel intuitive and engaging for players.

That interdisciplinary environment also pushed me to test my creative limits on a broader stage. When I entered the international 11 Second Club animation competition and placed in the top five, the versatility I cultivated at Digital Worlds made all the difference. Rather than relying on technical software alone, I drew on live-action video production techniques, filming reference footage of myself acting out character movements to capture authentic emotional timing and physical weight. 

Combining cinematic storytelling with digital animation is something my time at UF has encouraged at every turn. Whether I was previously designing motion graphics for movie theater screens at CMX Cinemas or building interactive game worlds in the classroom, the throughline has always been understanding how audiences experience visual media. Learning how to direct a viewer’s attention, pace a scene to music and construct meaningful interactions are skills that Digital Worlds helped me refine.

Today, giving back to that community is the most rewarding part of my college experience. As president of the Digital Worlds Student Ambassadors and a mentor in our departmental peer mentorship program, I have the privilege of guiding incoming students and prospective families through this space.  

Digital media and game development can easily feel intimidating — tools evolve overnight, workflows are demanding and creative expectations are high. Being able to sit down with an underclassman, share my own past struggles and watch their confidence grow is deeply meaningful.

The entertainment and gaming landscape is changing faster than ever, especially as emerging digital technologies reshape creative industries. While the future of interactive media is continuously evolving, my time at Digital Worlds has given me the versatility, confidence and community support to navigate whatever comes next.

After I graduate, my goal is to join an indie game studio as an artist and designer. I want to build original, memorable worlds that spark imagination in players, giving the next generation the same inspiration and joy that classic games gave me years ago.

Carter Braun is a senior in the UF Digital Worlds Institute, majoring in digital arts and sciences with a focus on 2D animation, game design and software development. He ultimately plans to join an interactive entertainment studio as a game artist and designer.