Destiny Ham – BFA in Animation – Expected to graduate Fall 2025

Drawing has always been my way of expressing myself, especially since I didn’t connect with typical childhood activities like playing with barbies or playing with makeup. Instead, I found my passion in creating characters that allowed me to express my personality on paper. My early experiences with art were different to say the least—like random figures all over my walls with a blue crayon, which angered but also made my mother laugh on my creativity. My schools didn’t offer art programs, so I continued to develop my skills on my own, finding inspiration in my mother’s job as a Disney vacation planner, which gave me access to the parks. The animation section of Disney Quest sparked my imagination, making me want to bring still images to life through animation.

As I grew older, I became fascinated with Japanese animation, drawn to its variety of artistic styles and genres. But my interest in Japanese art often set me apart from my peers, particularly in school, where my appearance and skin ostracized me from most kids. Despite being told that my style wouldn’t get far, I stayed true to what I like and improved my styles and techniques. Because of this, I pursued my AA degree in Graphic Design at HCC, followed by a BFA in Animation from the University of Tampa.

At UT, I refined my skills in both illustration and animation. While I excel at creating detailed illustrations using tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, I also explored the complexities of animation through software like Toon Boom Harmony. Bringing still images to life has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey. However, I still face challenges in making my animations seamless, often jumping ahead in the process, which can result in rough or choppy transitions. Despite this, I’m committed to improving through practice, understanding that growth comes with time. My recent interest in Unreal Engine has also sparked a deeper passion for 3D animation and world-building.

After graduation, I plan to focus on creating animation shorts for YouTube that explore social issues, short stories, and personal experiences. I believe everyone has a story worth telling, and animation offers a powerful way to share those stories with the world. Since my time at UT, my perspective on animation has expanded—taking courses in coding, screenwriting, and using Unreal Engine has opened new creative possibilities. I’m excited to continue pushing boundaries and look forward to contributing to any animation studio by creating diverse, impactful worlds and stories that resonate with audiences.