Graduating Animation Major Diego Quintanilla Meza Answers Questions About His Time at BYU
Q: What was your most inspiring experience at BYU?
Meza: Our capstone project is a short animated film that we work on together as a class for the last two years of the animation program. It was one of the hardest things I have done in my life. Despite all the challenges and efforts that this project demanded, I saw miracles. We work as much as we can and by including the gospel in all that we do the Lord helps make up the difference. It’s inspiring to see the hand of the Lord helping us — it is the only way we are able to succeed.
Q: What was your favorite class that you’ve taken at BYU?
Meza: I loved taking character animation classes.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to current students?
Meza: BYU is a short, sometimes intense, journey. You will always enjoy it more if you try to be teachable and kind to others. If you are struggling with anything, talk to somebody. Your teachers, your leaders and God are there to listen to you and help you.
Q: How have the arts helped you grow spiritually?
Meza: Animation has taught me a lot about obedience and faith. There are principles of design and animation that we study and follow to make things look and feel good. Without them, things aren’t visually appealing. We work hard and trust the process even when we cannot see the final result right away.
Just like these animation principles, obedience to gospel principles helps us make things work in our lives. They keep us on the right track and make us eligible for God’s greatest blessings, even when times seem challenging and difficult.
Q: What initially drew you to the world of design, and how has your perspective evolved during your time at BYU?
Meza: As a child, I spent a lot of time drawing characters from my favorite cartoons and movies. Those stories sparked in me the desire to be an animator and I fell in love with it. In the animation program at BYU, I learned so much about this industry, about teamwork and about involving God in all that I do.
Q: What is your favorite building on campus?
Meza: The Talmage building. It is like a second home to me. I have spent so much time in that building because of classes and projects that I worked on in the animation labs.