John J. Dessler
John J. Dessler is a creative director, programmer, writer, entrepreneur, musician, and digital/fine artist. He was the artist and media director at Calkins Media for 10 years and was responsible for all info graphics and feature illustrations.
He has been contracted or freelances for companies such as GE, NBC, Tyco, Heinz, and various museums and productions – specializing in visual communication and digital training.
In 1996 he founded The Outlet for Creativity (a non-profit 501c3) in Rochester, PA, to foster and support the Arts in Beaver County. He served as president for 9 years.
He has been on numerous boards of economic and cultural development and has worked with other organizations including the American Cancer Society, Bridge to Recovery, Adult Literacy Action, and The Humane Society.
He was a featured speaker, performer, and on jury at numerous conferences including SIGGRAPH, GDC, and SXSW.
He was creative director for Creative Services at the ETC where he designed and produced virtual interviews, games, exhibits, and interactions for clients such as Duquesne University, National Civil War Museum, and VERC.
He is a published playwright, winner of the Keystone Press and Telly awards, and is an accomplished studio and performing musician regularly showcased at the famous Blue Bird Café in Nashville, TN.
More at: JohnJDessler.com
Ruth Comley
Ruth is an alumnus of the Entertainment Technology Center and is now returning to take up a position as a member of the faculty.
For more then ten years now, Ruth has been giving students the education that they need to survive in the gaming industry. She has taught 3D computer graphics classes in both the Media Arts and Animation Department and the Game Art and Design department at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Ruth is a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ in modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, and compositing; her focus is teaching others these skills.
Before this, Ruth worked for the IBM Corporation in Poughkeepsie, NY. There she was an Associate Programmer working on the Work Load Manager development and testing team.
Her MET was completed at the Entertainment Technology Center, Carnegie Mellon University. She received her BS in Computer Science at The State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Also, she completed an Associate in Specialized Technology degree majoring in Industrial Design Technology from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
In recent years, Ruth has turned her life long hobby of scaring people into a profession. Her and a close-knit team design, build, and manage a local haunted house during the Halloween season. In past years she has produced The Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s Khymira Experiment and Khymira II as well as the Nightmare in North Versailles. Here in the realm of darkness and shadow, Ruth uses all of her skills in art and technology to weave together characters and storylines that prey upon mans deepest fears. “When in the graveyard – beware of a sinking feeling, for the ground may be trying to claim you.”