I grew up playing video games and absorbing their tropes. As I grew older, I desired to play more with these basic stereotypes and structures, rather than passively watching them, and that led me to a love of character design. The work of such Japanese studios as Square, Namco, and Atlus, who define the role-playing game genre norms and exceptions, makes up the bulk of my experience. However, I am also familiar with the work of Western studios, and the differences and similarities in the two styles. I am perennially interested in commentary on both, and love to see others also criticizing the underlying structure of popular games. The way these characters create and deconstruct the roles of the RPG genre is my biggest influence.

            My favorites have always been the few characters who cross some boundary, break the mold that they appear to fit into, or challenge a notion about games or the real world. This is where I believe I fit into the larger world of character design—I want to bring in an element of satire and comical transgression that not only entertains the player, but causes players and designers alike to think more critically about the recurring themes in our media. By defying expectations and pointing out longstanding suspensions of disbelief, I feel that I am fulfilling this goal.
            I try to work a critique—large or small—on the state of modern storytelling into every character I create. Often, these characters simply start out as commentary and the rest of their being coalesces around it. By doing this, I want to create something new and fresh, that gives the viewer a new perspective.