Rhiannon Black
Rhiannon Black is a multidisciplinary artist, animator, game developer, instructional designer, and copy editor based in Mobile, Alabama. They were born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria, and immigrated to the US at the age of 14. After receiving their Bachelor's of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Mississippi, they moved to South Korea. Rhiannon’s passion for game design began at the age of 14 and has guided much of their educational and professional journey. After spending a decade living and teaching in South Korea, they returned to the United States to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Animation at the University of South Alabama, concentrating on game design. Currently a graduate assistant at the University of South Alabama Innovation in Learning Center, Rhiannon works with faculty to design and implement educational workshops and online courses. Their professional focus lies at the intersection of creative technologies and education, applying gamification and interactive design principles to enhance learning experiences. They are pursuing a Master’s in Creative Technologies and Practices while simultaneously beginning a PhD in Instructional Design and Development, exploring how art and education can inform and elevate one another. Beyond academia, Rhiannon has contributed to projects for the Smithsonian, 3D-scanning Africatown artifacts to make them accessible in an open database, and has developed original video games, including an isometric platformer inspired by Little Red Riding Hood and a multi-room Alice in Wonderland–themed escape room game. Known for their adaptability, strong communication, and organizational skills, Rhiannon combines creativity with technical expertise to create engaging, meaningful experiences both in gaming and education.
• Copyediting Certificate
• University of South Alabama - B.F.A.
• Magnificence at the Museum - USA Archaeology Museum
• Innovation and Learning Center (IOC)
• Smithsonian Institution
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a lot of things. My mother is a big one. She is the reason we came to this country. She gave us the opportunity to have everything we have. Stubborness is another. Some might call it persistence but it is trully stubborness. It is not giving up no matter what and following my passion despite the obstacles. I have an amazing support system: my family, my friends, and my boyfriend. I have amazing mentors: Jennifer Knutson and Karl Jahnke. They have all been instrumental to my success in their own way. But I think the thing I attribute my success to the most is passion. Having passion for what you want or do is what will make you want to keep going. Passion can make or break a dream and it can make or break a career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to get a job doing what I like to do. Life is hard and it is even shorter. There is no point to ever get a job that you do not enjoy. We spend so much time of every day at our jobs, it is better to have one we enjoy even if it doesn't pay a lot. At least our day will be enjoyable most days. That is more than most can say.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering game design and instructional design is fight! Be ready to fight and don't back down! You know your stuff so go out there and show them!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities in the game design and instructional design fields right now are educational simulations and gamification. In short, educational games.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, integrity, and trust. Without those, you are lost.
Locations
USA Innovation in Learning Center
Mobile, AL 36693