Class of 2024: Malasia Cherry named Outstanding Senior for the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
A skilled storyteller with a passion for video games, Cherry plans to pursue a career in animation.
Name: Malasia Cherry
College: Architecture, Arts, and Design
Major/minor: Creative technology and art history
Hometown: Virginia Beach
Plans after graduation: Continue her education at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco
Favorite Hokie memory: Initiation into Alpha Delta Pi sorority and spending time at the house with her sisters
Finding inspiration
Cherry grew up enjoying video games and different types of 3D entertainment. Initially, she played because her older brother did, but video games turned into a passion.
“It was something I kind of relied on throughout middle school, high school, and even throughout college. I look at my PC right here on my desk, so it’s still prevalent in my adulthood too,” said Cherry.
As a professional entering the world of 3D animation and gaming, Cherry, who graduated in December, is ready to make the transition from consumer to creator.
“As a kid, I didn’t know what all it took to create the 3D animations I enjoyed. It’s unreal, all the different software and coding languages to make these things visual,” said Cherry. “I want to go the route of game development, being on the technical art side of things, doing 3D.
“Cherry is a skilled storyteller with a focus on unusual characters and challenging topics,” said Meredith Drum, assistant professor, interdisciplinary artist, and Cherry’s mentor. “Her work is timely and necessary.”
For her senior project, Cherry produced a short animation titled "Company." Set in the 1980s and using only music and folly with no words, the piece depicts a tense interaction between a gay, white Vietnam veteran and a young Black man. The piece challenges popular narratives about biracial relationships, drug culture, and Black youth while highlighting the importance of Vietnam as the first U.S. war in which Black and white men served together.
“It is exceptional,” said Drum, who noted the incredible amount of effort, skill, and maturity the project required.
“This time last year, I was planning the story. I made all the assets from scratch. I made all the rigs for the characters and made them all move by myself, and it was a huge endeavor,” said Cherry.
Cherry, who considers her senior project one of the best works she’s been able to put together so far, said it would not have been possible without Drum’s support.
“She was willing to sit with me for hours and Zoom on weekends or before classes to troubleshoot the many technical roadblocks I encountered,” said Cherry. “Even outside of academics, she offered great personal advice and has helped me decide what I want to do with my career. She’s definitely a wonderful mentor.”
The capstone process taught Cherry many lessons along the way, but ultimately, she realized that self-discipline, passion, and work ethic would lead to success in the professional realm of 3D technology.
“Malasia’s productivity and self-discipline are enviable,” said Drum. “She works swiftly with intelligence and aesthetic prowess. Her motivation is driven by self-confidence in her artistic and technical abilities, her passion for the arts and life itself, and her dedication to her future as a professional in the realm of art and technology.”
Cherry is currently pursuing her master’s degree in animation from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
