Koel Kurash: From Video Gaming to Gaming Design

Koel Kurash: From Video Gaming to Gaming Design

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Three-dimensional game design, "The Witcher 3" video game and history are just a few of Koel Kurash's favorite things. Wilkes has always been a second home for Kurash, a junior in the digital design and media art program with a cognate minor in gaming and emergent technology.

"It [Wilkes University] has that hometown feeling," says Kurash, a native of Wilkes-Barre. Every summer, however, he can be found in Santa Cruz, California, visiting family.

DDMA wasn't the first major Kurash chose. When he started at Wilkes, he was a secondary education major with a focus in history. Despite changing paths toward game design, Kurash still follows the steady guidance of mentors he met along the way, like Jonathan Kuiken, associate professor of history and Kurash's original advisor. When Kurash was experiencing uncertainties about becoming an educator, Kuiken was a huge help in encouraging him to stay and seek out other opportunities at Wilkes.

"Even after Koel switched from a history to a DDMA major, we kept up our conversations, chatted frequently and tackled issues together," says Kuiken. "Sometimes, finding the best fit requires foresight, flexibility and a bit of courage. Koel exemplifies those qualities and I'm proud of the ways he's taken charge of his own education."

Kurash forged ahead, combining his passion for game design with his love for video gaming through the unique academic offerings at Wilkes.

"Koel has an advanced understanding of industry pipeline practices in game creation from being a gamer for many years and staying up on the continually changing industry techniques," says Eric Ruggiero, one of Kurash's mentors and associate professor and chair of the DDMA program. "He is working to develop his skills at a high level in the areas of game asset creation to build a dynamic portfolio to impress industry professionals within the game development process."

Using the industry standard software tools and methods from his coursework, he feels he has grown so much in a way he never thought possible.

"DDMA is so beneficial because it broadens the scope of your portfolio and your skills in programs, especially in Adobe suite or the 3D software," says Kurash.

In continuing to gain 3D experience, he is teaming up with Ruggiero on a documentary he is making on Mohammed Ali and his impact on Pennsylvania. Kurash's role is creating 3D models of swinging punching bags that will be used in the transitions of topics and descriptions used throughout the film. The project is still in its very early stages.

Faculty interaction and mentorship are two key points for Kurash. He's comfortable asking questions and seeking feedback from Ruggiero on his projects, noting that Ruggiero is always lending a helping hand to ensure he remains consistent in his quality of work and grades.

"The entire department is so happy to help with the development of students and it's such a nice thing to see," Kurash says.

Kurash is involved with Wilkes University's competitive esports program, open to all students no matter their major, and is the captain of the "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege" team. The program competes against other collegiate-level players in tournaments and promotes connection among the students. For most games, people can come to the esports room on campus (located in the Ron and Rhea Simms Center on Main) or view the live streams on Twitch and follow the teams on Instagram. The program is led by Robert Eskra, esports manager, who is another one of Kurash's mentors.

"From my first interaction with Koel, he has been nothing but impressive," says Eskra. "He joined the esports program in the early days when it consisted of nothing more than a promise and a dream, and he is absolutely one of the reasons why the program is thriving today."

Eskra recognizes Kurash for his volunteerism, for mentoring other students in the program and his initiative to organize new teams with the hopes of obtaining official sponsorship by the University.

"He does all of this while maintaining an impressive portfolio as a digital design major and working part-time hours that really should be considered full time," says Eskra. "Any program or person would be lucky to have Koel as a part of their team… I just happen to be that lucky person."

Ruggiero and Eskra's influence on Kurash has been substantial in regards to his studies and love for gaming.

"With Eric [Ruggiero], he shows how much you can actually accomplish in the real world," he says, also crediting Ruggiero's achievements, showing that no matter what, you can go far. "With Rob [Eskra], he is an example that just because you may graduate with one thing does not mean you can't do something else equally as great," he says, further admiring his passion for gaming and seeing him in his current job role as an inspiration.

Kurash is also part of Studio20, an on-campus club that offers design services for organizations both inside and outside of Wilkes. The club also hosts student-run workshops and seasonally sells their Wilkes-branded merchandise that include sweatshirts, totes, baby tees, sweatpants and more.

As he looks to the future, Kurash is optimistic.

"Game design was always a dream far, far away, and now it's becoming very achievable," he says.

He has applied to several internships across the country, and if he lands one, he hopes to have a full-time job when he graduates - ideally in Los Angeles, though he is open to wherever. Currently, he works at Best Buy on the Geek Squad.

For those wondering why "The Witcher 3" is his all-time favorite video game, he says, "It has an amazing in-depth story as an RPG [role-playing game] and builds this beautiful world around you with deep, in-depth game lore."