2025/26 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Josie Rengstorf

How/why did you choose your major?
I've always been drawn to digital media and the way people interact with it. Especially games

Describe the work you submitted for merits.
When creating these works, I primarily focus on the audience's experience. When making games or any work for that matter, it is important to consider how the audience interacts with the game, not only digitally or visually, but physically. I primarily focus on this idea in my two games, WELCOME HOME and Tightrope. In WELCOME HOME, I do this by making physical buttons, which not only makes the game a very tactile experience. But it hones in and makes sure the audience understands that there are and will only ever be two choices to make. Yes or no. I go a bit further with this with the number of choices you can make in WELCOME HOME; some you may never see, but it feels like your choices do have an impact on the game. In Tightrope, I do this by using the mouse as the player movement instead of the standard arrow keys; your finger tracks the location of the tightrope. Making the experience more immersive. I pivot a bit with immersion with The Clock Tower because this is a static 3D model. I had to think about immersion not with interaction but with composition. It makes the room feel lived in and clearly demonstrates its location and purpose. Overall, these works focus on the audience and how I feel they will interact with my art. Whether it be games or art. Audience experience is essential to what I do, and I strive to get the most out of every project.

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?
I was particularly drawn to the community at MCAD- everyone is so open and accepting here and it genuinely seemed like a wonderful environment. (and I was right)

What's next for your practice? Anything you're really excited to make?
I am really drawn to making interactive pieces, games or overall experiences. I want to be able to tell more stories and share my work with more people.

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?
I love the friends I made along the way :]

What inspires you?
Honestly any horror media. I love cosmic and sci-fi media especially. Any sci-fi horror book has my heart.

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!
I really love my WELCOME HOME game- though it is in the early stages it has been a game a long time in the making. I can't wait to make into a full game.

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment?
SO SO MANY THINGS. Right now I'm particularly obsessed with Chainsawman. Yeah- Chainsawman

What's the best thing you've found on the Free Shelf?
A urn