Qiuya Chen Recent Alumni 2021 Is Just Finishing Her First Semester at USC Perusing Game Design

Qiuya Chen earned acceptance to her dream college—University of Southern California in 2021.

Additional accepted schools include:
Otis College of Art and Design--Presidential Scholarship $23,000 per year $92,000/4 years;
California College of the Arts--Creative Achievement Award $22,000 per year $88,000/4 years;
UC Irvine
​UC Riverside

Qiuya Chen’s work ethic and delivery have always been impactful to her audience and peers. The commitment and dedication it took to be a designer and professional artist is well understood. At WCAAD she dedicated her time in maturing with every project. Qiuya Chen’s work ethic and delivery have always been impactful to her audience and peers. The commitment and dedication it took to be a designer and professional artist is well understood. At WCAAD she dedicated her time in maturing with every project. 

As early as 12 Qiuya’s talents were evident, and she was open to learn and permitted to be guided in the right direction by WCAAD instructors. She truly has been passionate in all paths to succeed. ​

Qiuya's PTA winning artwork at the age of 12

“Qiuya has been studying at WCAAD for over a decade,” Qiuya’s mom said, “She has been very much into art and spent a great deal of time practicing drawing everyday.” ​

Mom said that Qiuya drew on paper and on computer, always excited about art practice. “As the oldest child in our family, Qiuya has influenced the two younger ones a lot and they started their drawing classes as early as three years old!”

Qiuya, her sister Qiuyao and her brother Tianze receiving awards at the same art contest in 2020

Qiuya was always an active problem solver and has genuine deign sensibility that is inspiring by her engagement and interest in coding, game design and digital graphics. ​

Being aware of trends, and current market sensibilities, she often led critiques as an active participant and initiator with not only critical points but always willing to help her pers with constructive critical discourse that assist the group overall. Her life drawings were sophisticated and her love for Entertainment arts was always evident and very involved with constant research and sincere attempt to innovate her design. ​

Towards the end of application timed Qiuya was more and more aware of decision making that would eventually lead to a solid independence and professionalism. ​

Through our program she was able to apply to LACHSA and gain admittance as well as being very active participated in competition, critiques, and gallery shows including collaborations. Experiences such as participation and winning the 37th annual 3-hour challenge shows an active role she takes when challenged.

At home she would also take an active role, fixing things around the house self -taught and analyzing design to teach her about innovation and put back that discovery into her art and design. She can debate on game analytics, topics, and research. Qiuya has volunteered with Amigos del Los Rios Water conservation group and environmental justice that helps with water saving and green protection outcomes for cultural awareness, power, and effect of positive change. Through Heal the Bay clean up volunteer group she experienced, mobilizing LA’s diverse groups to protect our coast and restore waterways and learn and speak on smart water policies.

She also assisted Foothill Middle school helping teens and families understand as a second or primary language teaching skill and alternative perspectives. In her former high school Arcadia UI design App team, she took on a leadership skills and design innovation promoting female equality in the work environment. She always helps other before helping herself, like the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena where she worked as a TA for ceramics painting, drawing while learning to instruct, organize and see kinds of sensibilities student have. ​

A lover of art and Computer science she was able to utilize coding learning python and java and left and right thinking for a well rounded educational growth. She will continue to be a driving force at USC and future endeavors.

(By Omar Gallegos, WCAAD Vice Principal and Director of Education)