Getting to Know Roundtable: Sara Horoiwa

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This week, we sat down with Roundtable’s Sara Horoiwa to talk about her role, learning & development (L&D), and industry trends she finds interesting.

 

 

What does your title mean? What do you do for Roundtable?

As a 3D Designer, I create 3D graphics for Roundtable’s virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications. I use Autodesk Maya to create 3D objects, characters, environments, and other visual elements.

 

How did you get into L&D?

I’ve always been interested in art and games, so I decided to pursue a game design degree at the Cleveland Institute of Art. I became super interested in 3D modeling because I could convey visual information much more efficiently in 3D than if I spent time drawing something by hand in 2D. I learned a lot about how technology can be an incredible tool for learning, so I felt inspired to use my skills for some kind of educational purpose.

 

What is a trend in L&D that’s exciting to you? 

As technology gets better and better, game graphics are constantly being pushed to new limits. On the creator side as well, there have been so many new innovations that help speed up the workflow. The digital art world is always expanding, so there’s always something new to learn about.

 

What would you say is the most important part of building a training program?

I think it’s important to create with intention and to consider all audiences. Ease of use is important, especially if it’s AR or VR, which may be a new and unfamiliar experience for many people.

 

Finish the sentence. Learning is essential to an organization because…

… it equips us with the skills to become leaders in an ever-changing industry.

 

What is something you have done in this role this year that you are proud of?

The work has really helped me improve my 3D modeling speed and problem-solving skills, which I’m proud of and grateful for.

 

What are some interesting facts about you?

My childhood career aspirations were to be a poet, archaeologist, gemologist, or animator. Actual jobs I’ve had are a dishwasher, art museum receptionist, and a 3D designer at both NASA and Roundtable.