Meradi Agran
|Skills|Education|Experiences|Team Projects|
Skills
Software Proficiency
Unity
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Unreal Engine
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Autodesk Maya
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Autodesk Mudbox
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Audacity
Programming
&
Foreign Languages
C#
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C++
Lua
English
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French
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Additional Studies in Japanese
Education
University of Southern California
Aug. 2017 - Expected May 2020
Masters of Fine Arts
Interactive Media&Game Design
Los Angeles, CA
Smith College
Sept. 2013 - May 2017
Bachelor of Arts
English Literature (Honors)
Northampton, MA
L'Université Paris Sorbonne (Paris IV)
Aug. 2015 - Dec. 2015
Smith College Program
Junior Year Abroad in Paris
Paris, France
Experiences
iD Tech
Game Design Instructor
Summer 2019
Instructed students aged 9 to 17 in principles of game design, programming, and game engine use
Helped students complete digital projects during each five-day-only course
Introduced basics of programming languages like Lua and C++
Helped students understand the basics of engines like Unreal Engine and Roblox Studio
Created unique lesson plans on the fly according to student needs, progress, and interests
Tokyo University of the Arts Game Design Critic & USC Representative
November 2018
Invited by Andreas Kratky and Tokyo University of the Arts' government-funded Game Design MFA students
Attended vertical slice convention of Japanese first-year Game Design students
Critiqued students' work alongside their presentations
Gave lecture for Animation and Game Design graduate students at Tokyo University of the Arts' Animation School
Situation Lab
Research Aide to Jeff Watson
Jan. 2018 - May 2018
In-depth scholarly research pertaining to the history of play and communal storytelling
Organized own research findings on digital, physical, and tabletop games
Compiled detailed lists of information on interactive media and divination, ancient and modern
TEDxSoleburySchool Speaker
Learning 'Learning': Understanding & Accepting Learning Differences
May 2016
Presenter at first TEDxSoleburySchool speaking on different, personalized ways of teaching and learning
Accepted offer to speak at the private high school hosting the conference
Explained subject in conversational, precise language to audiences potentially unfamiliar with such educational and emotional difficulties
USC
Game Innovation Lab
Research Assistant Intern
June 2016 - Aug. 2016
Narrative design intern aiding in research-based professional prototyping processes
Attended team meetings across a variety of projects
Developed paper prototypes and alphas for early-stage projects
Organized research findings for design team
Team Projects
Langwhich Language
In-Progress
Lead Designer
Analog card game for 2 players about communication through invented languages
Created rapid prototypes for mechanics and social interactions
Designed cards and vocabulary for printing
Recruited, organized and ran playtest sessions
Organized research meetings with advisors and team members
Illuminare
​Aug. 2018 - Dec. 2018
Narrative & Puzzle Designer
3D puzzle game about pilgrimage and navigating darkness with light
Outlined, designed, and implemented puzzles both on paper and in engine
Detailed story arc
Recorded, acquired, and mixed sound effects and ambient noise
tea.
Nov. 2017
Lead Narrative Designer
Interactive experience reflecting upon sibling bonds and shared memories
Wrote branching narrative screenplay, adapting mood and tone to player choices
Recruited and voice actor both in rehearsal and in recording
​Edited actor’s audio footage using Audacity
Chrono Cards: American Revolution
June 2016 - Aug 2016
Researcher & Writer
Educational Revolutionary War-themed card game for middle school classrooms
Spearheaded research on diverse perspectives of the Revolution
​Contributed to writing the pithy, fact-heavy card descriptions