Malaysian student serves as role model

Photo by Charlie Ribbens
Rezan Amiruddin

By: Amanda Tower

Published: Friday, February 3, 2006

Rezan Amiruddin traveled a great distance to become a world-class animator and inspiration to students in his native city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The first-year Savannah College of Art and Design animation student diligently prepared himself to succeed at SCAD and, as a SCAD Student Ambassador — a member of an official SCAD student organization — he encourages students from his high school to do the same.

After graduating from Singapore-American High School, Amiruddin was unsure which path to take in his education and career. An accomplished trumpet player, he seriously considered studying music. He auditioned for a seat in the Singapore Philharmonic Winds, an award-winning orchestra, and, after acceptance, played with the group for six months. Yet his love of cartoons led him to enroll at Orita.Sinclair School of Art and New Media. The young Singapore school offers a short program course, which briefly covers a variety of the arts, including animation, computer illustration, painting, drawing and film. “Most people don’t stop and think, ‘What do I really want to do?’” said Amiruddin. “I wanted to try different things.”

After nine months at Orita.Sinclair, Amiruddin graduated with distinction and submitted an impressive portfolio to SCAD for admission consideration. Not only was he accepted to his top-choice school, he was awarded a generous scholarship and given foundation studies course exemption for several courses he had completed at Orita.Sinclair.

Amiruddin said the large international student population and the broad selection of unique majors attracted him to SCAD. “The best part is that everyone here is as passionate as you are about the subject you’re interested in,” he said. “I’ve met such a variety of people — it’s good to see others’ views and share experiences.”

Growing up in a country where most students believe they can only succeed if they have degrees in engineering or computers, Amiruddin has a one-of-a-kind artistic ambition. “The arts are not seen as a viable degree in Malaysia,” he said. “So many people are getting degrees in engineering and computers that they can’t find jobs anymore.” Amiruddin said his parents applied for a student loan to help pay for his tuition at SCAD, but they were denied. “People there just don’t see the big picture,” he said.

Amiruddin is taking a proactive stance in changing perceptions, though. As a student ambassador for SCAD, he participates in the admission department’s Hometown Heroes program, and visits his high school and Orita.Sinclair when he is home to encourage other students to apply to SCAD.

“So many students don’t think they can afford to attend SCAD,” said Amiruddin. “But when I tell them about my scholarship, they’re encouraged to build a versatile portfolio that showcases their knowledge in the arts, giving them an edge over the average student’s application.”

Erina McCoy, college visitation manager in the admission department and adviser to the Student Ambassadors, was impressed with Amiruddin’s eagerness to join the program soon after coming to SCAD. “Prospective students really appreciate hearing what SCAD is like from a student who shares their perspective of coming from the same town and having the same academic preparation,” said McCoy. “Rezan is always eager to volunteer for events where he can share his SCAD spirit. He is not timid about stepping up and getting involved in the greater college community.”

Amiruddin has been drawing cartoons since he was 3 years old, and taught himself elements of Adobe Photoshop and other computer software to advance his animation and illustration abilities. He learned 3-D Studio Max while at Orita.Sinclair and has since added Maya to his repertoire of animation tools. He wants to eventually apply his skills to making films or television programs. “No matter what the medium, you’re telling stories,” said Amiruddin. “Animation is just another medium of storytelling.”

Amiruddin’s goal is to work in the United States after he graduates from SCAD, preferably for Pixar, but he’ll accept a job in Singapore if the opportunity exists. “I want to get a job where I can use my creative freedom,” he said. “My goal is to be a good storyteller.”


Tower is a publications editor.