New age artist works on-screen and by hand

Neil Miller, a recent graduate of the BFA interactive design and game development program (ITGM), is one of the most interesting students to wander the halls of 1600 Peachtree. What is most interesting about Miller is that, although an ITGM graduate, his portfolio is filled with prototypes and images of his work in industrial design.

Born in Portland, Or., Miller spent the earliest moments of his youth there before moving to the Metro Atlanta area at age three. Miller recalls the start of his artist career from his pre-teen years. “I’ve been doodling in sketchbooks since middle school,” said Miller. His interest in art steadily grew during high school, where he attended a magnet arts and science school in the Roswell area. What really sparked Miller’s interesting in the artistic world was what he discovered as a student at DeKalb Technical College. There, he sought a degree in welding, but he wasn’t interested in using those skills the same way other students were. “In my welding classes, everyone else was busy making car parts while I was off making swords and stuff,” said Miller.

It was during his time at DeKalb Technical College that Miller also discovered his passion for 3D work. In a drafting class he learned about Autodesk Inventor, a design tool used for making 3D digital prototypes. This software combined with a 3D printer opened a new door of possibilities and dimension to explore.

Lacking all the tools he needed and the atmosphere that he wanted, Miller transferred to SCAD Atlanta as an undergraduate ITGM student. At the beginning, Miller enjoyed creating through 3D renderings without the hassle of physically making them. “I didn’t have to get my hands dirty when I was working with MAYA or a similar program,” said Miller.

It wasn’t until a senior portfolio class that Miller realized that he felt more passion about working in the physical 3D form, as opposed to computer rendering. “I went down to Savannah once my portfolio professor saw the metal work I was doing,” said Miller. “I was blown away by their facilities. They have a lot of cool toys.” His enthusiasm and natural talent for industrial design led him to receive special permission from the department to create a final portfolio under a different major.

“I realized I was in the wrong major towards the end of junior year,” said Miller. “I learned a lot from ITGM and the professors, but I was not a fan of programs like MAYA and I missed making tangible objects.” Since graduation, Miller has been working on incredible metal pieces. Some of his must successful pieces include an Art Deco gargoyle letter seal, a pair of stainless steel wolverine claws and an Equalizer revolver that enables target engagement otherwise out of reach. The pieces are immaculate in design and functional to boot. Miller also dabbles in jewelry making on the side.

Miller is quite the Renaissance man — he also writes poems and other works of fiction as a means of expression. Since leaving SCAD, Miller is focused on finding a job that can be fulfilling and also pay off his school loans. His parting advice to students preparing for professional careers is to network and, above all, be yourself. “The closer in proximity you are to people who are where you want to be, the more insecure you feel,” said Miller. “While networking, just remember to be yourself and be confident. Confidence will get you a long way, especially if you have the talent to back it up.”