Personal and Formal References

I have letters for every studio and company as I have had to get a lot of work visas. I have not yet asked for personal references for this role.

There is a gap here, but the studio was closed by Sony in 2012

In 2001, my 13 years of professional experience in 2D, and 3D digital media, and design were formally evaluated and recognized as equivalent to a 4-year American bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts, as there were no Game Art degrees taught then. This evaluation was conducted by Seattle University at the request of George Lucas, facilitated through LucasFilm, to ensure alignment with U.S. academic standards.

The degree equivalency process considered my extensive industry contributions, leadership roles, and expertise in areas such as environment art, design principles, and technical execution. This recognition has been instrumental in my career, enabling me to secure professional roles and visas in countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, India, the Czech Republic, and China. It reflects the depth and breadth of my professional skills and formalizes my experience as meeting or exceeding academic benchmarks.

Additionally, the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)—a leading authority on graphic design standards—provided a formal letter of endorsement for my qualifications. In their statement, AIGA emphasized that my experience aligns with the educational standards typically required for professionals in the graphic design field. They noted that my background met the benchmark of a bachelor’s degree, further validated by their survey findings and industry standards.

These recognitions not only validate my career achievements but also highlight the trust and support of esteemed organizations and individuals in the industry. From Seattle University’s evaluation to AIGA’s endorsement, my qualifications have been acknowledged as both academically and professionally equivalent to a traditional degree. These validations underscore the credibility of my expertise and my lifelong commitment to creative excellence.

Now with 34 years of experience, I have taught at three iconic universities and served as the Head of a Game Art and Animation department, continuing to contribute to and inspire the next generation of creative professionals.

"Mr. Cottam's professional experience, summarized, presents a significant employment record in computer graphics of over thirteen (13) years. During this time, he developed proficiency in information technology and computer graphics, and progressed to more difficult and responsible duties, covering a diversity of applications and hardware. In my opinion, his professional employment record presents at least four years of university-level credit towards a major in computer graphics. Accordingly, it is my opinion that Mr. Cottam has the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in computer graphics from an accredited college or university in the United States. Furthermore, his training and work experience provide him with the theoretical and practical application of the knowledge required in the practice of computer graphics."