BOONE—From his time as a production assistant at Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic to owning his own visual effects company, Jonathan Harb says it’s the basics he learned in high school and college that are tools of his success.

“I learned English and math in high school, but I learned the design process in college and I use all three of these every day,” he told an audience of more than 150 during the Oct. 5 Power of Design lecture held at Appalachian State University.

Harb is CEO and creative director of the computer graphics and special effects company Whiskytree Inc. based in San Rafael, California.

“Designers have to be passionate,” he said of his work.” Harb’s passion has led to his involvement in over 45 feature films and dozens of commercials, special venue projects and ad campaigns, including all three “Hunger Games” films, “Elysium,” both “Captain America” films, Marvel’s “The Avengers” and the “Star Wars” prequels.

While on campus, Harb led workshops for over 120 students during which he presented a behind-the-scenes look at visual effects and what it takes to do that kind of work. He discussed and demonstrated matte painting techniques and computer software.

Harb, who grew up in Boone and graduated from Watauga High School, won two Visual Effects Society awards for “Best Matte Painting in a Motion Picture” and received a third nomination for his work on “Star Wars: Episode III.”

Whiskytree is small when one considers visual effects companies such as Industrial Light & Magic, yet it has become known worldwide. “We are a small company, but we have a good reputation and are known around the world for what we do,” Harb said.

Power of Design (POD) brings professionals to campus who share their perspective on design and their career with students, faculty and the public. It is sponsored by the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Department of Applied Design, Department of Art, Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, Department of Theatre and Dance, and the Design Council.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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