ALBA OLIVE MARTI
ABOUT ME
I was born in Barcelona, Spain, where my grandparents nurtured my love for art from a young age, encouraging me to paint and draw. Growing up in a city rich in culture, I was constantly surrounded by both historic and contemporary art.
One day, I visited a Disney Pixar exhibition and had a realization—Wait, I can make these movies? That’s an actual job? From that moment on, I dedicated myself to learning the skills needed for 3D animation.
During high school, I was a member of the Spanish junior national water polo team. My athletic career aligned with my professional dreams, allowing me to move to the U.S. to study 3D animation while competing at the highest collegiate level. Throughout my undergraduate years, I focused on 3D animation and modeling, bringing my passion to life through projects like my first animated film and working as a 3D artist for ASU’s first drone show.
These experiences led me to explore new technologies and Extended Reality (XR). Now, as a Master's student in Immersive Experience Design and a Research Assistant under Professor Ana Herruzo, I’ve found my true passion—combining 3D animation, modeling, storytelling, and world-building to create experiences that go beyond entertainment and leave a lasting impact on people.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I am a Research Assistant in the MEDIAted X Lab under Professor Ana Herruzo, where I explore emerging computational media tools and develop frameworks for immersive art, interactive environments, and large-scale media installations. What I love most about being part of the MEDIAted X Lab is the opportunity to work on impactful projects that engage the community while continuously learning new tools and bringing my creativity to life.
Previously, I worked as a 3D artist, designing creative assets and animations for ASU’s first-ever drone show—a 600-drone performance showcased to an audience of over 50,000.
This experience led me to become a Teaching Assistant for the first university course in the U.S. dedicated to drone show design, developed in collaboration with the world-renowned company Nova Sky Stories. The course debuted in Fall 2024 and will be taught again in Fall 2025.
I also spent over a year as a Fabrication Assistant at the Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center, where I gained hands-on experience with 3D printers, laser cutters, and fabrication techniques. I managed the daily operations of the 3D printing and laser cutting lab, ensuring equipment functionality for students and faculty. My favorite part of this role was providing personalized, hands-on support to students—helping them develop technical skills and creative strategies to enhance their projects.
MY ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
I graduated with a B.A. in Animation and a minor in Film and Media Production in 2024 and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Immersive Experience Design at Arizona State University.
My education combines technical expertise with creative vision, focusing on storytelling, XR design, and world-building. During my undergraduate years, I was a Division I water polo athlete, competing on a consistently top-8 ranked team while maintaining Summa Cum Laude honors. I was also a four-time recipient of ACWPC Academic All-America Honors.
As a former collegiate athlete, I developed a strong commitment to teamwork, discipline, and peak performance—qualities that continue to shape my approach to both creative and technical challenges.
