GRAPHITE ON PAPER
ODE TO MY FORM
Created during a time of personal identity struggle, this piece—a college figure-drawing assignment—exists as a testament to resilience, and the beauty found in one's own image.
KAIULANI HOPSON
BIOGRAPHY
Kaiulani Hopson—aspiring technical artist based in Jacksonville, Florida—is a digital media graduate with a lifelong passion for gaming who creates art that merges development with design. She specializes in material art, hard-surface modeling and is skilled in a variety of industry-standard programs, such as the Adobe Creative Suite and Blender.
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Her work as a computer technician provides her with a unique perspective on user-focused design and technology, as the founder of the MODERNITY by KDT™ brand and the KAIH.DOESTHINGS studio, she is actively building a portfolio that demonstrates her skills in a range of artistic and technical disciplines.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Art exists to communicate feelings, beliefs, and perspectives through the lens of another. Of all the mediums, video games are the most intimate. With industry-standard 3D modeling software, a combination of digital and traditional art, and my knowledge of modern game engines like Unreal Engine 5, I am able to engage an audience on a deeper level. What makes gaming stand out from other art forms is the bonds you form with those around you.
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Middle school was when I first discovered gaming, and the friendships and relationships formed during countless hours of play are now firmly rooted within my work. Before I create a game, I search for inspiration in music. From there, I sit with others and talk about their experiences, memories, and fears. These things help build the framework of my games, from the story and art to the code.
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I am inspired by the work of Ninja Theory and Hideo Kojima. These artists and studios seamlessly bridge the gap between storytelling, the complexities of the human condition, and the beautiful world of design. In each game I create, whether it's horror-based or cozy, I blur the boundaries between player and character. The player is no longer an invisible viewer of the character; they are the character. The quest is theirs, and each decision they make affects them on a profound emotional level. My work is a direct reflection of my human experience, using both joy and adversity to drive my creative process.
EDUCATION
MAY 2022 - DEC. 2025
[est. graduation]
Florida State College at Jacksonville
During my time in the Digital Media program, I received formal education in many programs such as Maya, After Effects, Illustrator, and Photoshop and was frequently named to the President's List for academic achievement. FSCJ's Digital Media program helped stabilize my self-taught foundation by teaching me the core principles of design, animation, and the art of visual storytelling.

