ARTIST

James "JJ" Hannah

"I like to entertain people, and make them laugh." -- James "JJ" Hannah wants to be nothing less than a career 3D animator. Before entering college he knew his life was going to revolve around animation. Considering game design as an initial choice for the future, JJ researched different colleges to meet his needs and settled on NIU as his university of choice. Once there, he immediately entered into the School of Arts Time Arts BFA program inside the Design Division, focusing his energy on animation and design.

He quickly saw his potential illustrated on paper and soon learned to transfer it to the computer with help from his more prominent professors. After becoming a Residential Community Advisor for the residence halls on campus his senior year, JJ further developed his skills as a computer graphic designer and print advertiser for his community staff. His work did not stop there however, as communication and leadership skills grew to meet the demands of his position. Though offered a position in his fifth year, he respectfully declined and instead turned his interests back to his career goals. JJ soon secured a position as the NIU Women’s Resource Center Graphic Design Intern, creating logos and graphics for print.

As part of his studies, JJ explored the exciting world of 3D animation. After only a short time he developed a new passion in animation and character design. "I like to design environments, especially trying to recreate the world as I see it, [thus] allowing me to construct whatever I can imagine." His interest turned to a new passion that has given him great joy and a new outlook for his future career.

"Coming to Know Him" is a linear art piece that follows a man’s attempts to guide his own life outside of influence. However, without the influence of another, his life is misguided and ultimately falls in peril. The man soon discovers a new path; one not guided by his own means, and leaving everything behind trusts it to lead him into a better future. This new direction leads him to a gateway of knowledge, spiritual awakening, and transforms him into a new vessel in Christ. The man is an ambiguous figure, lost in life in the ways we all sometimes get lost. But by the Will of God, a better predestined path is formed so that we may carry on knowing the peace that awaits us if we gain and remain in Jesus Christ.