BLUEist Trainer
Brad McDonald, Past President of the San Fernando Chapter of the AIA, is the founder of Blueist. He sets a high standard of instruction with an emphasis on real-world practical applications. As an owner of Reveal Studios, he led the design of many award-winning projects, including single and multi-family residences, churches, restaurants, and international projects for Disney Imagineering.
Jim graduated from Arizona State University in 1970 and spent ten years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Corps of Engineers. In the 1980s, Jim was principal at Varney Sexton Lunsford Aye Associates in Phoenix, where he designed many municipal buildings. In 1991 he became a certified AutoCAD instructor, and then worked with the Southwest Division of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) until 2006, where he evangelized the use of AutoCAD, leading the effort to train and distribute access to AutoCAD across the command, while also supervising the design and construction of a wide variety of naval facilities. Following his love of teaching and training young architects, Jim went on to provide in-office training, mentoring, and consultation to the NAVFAC staff, developing video training modules with voiceover to supplement live training.
Jason Gant AIA
Jason is an Architectural BIM Manager with over 15 years of experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry. He obtained a Master of Architecture from Tulane University and is a licensed Architect in the State of California. Architectural experiences include all phases of architectural design, documentation and contract administration, work on Hospital, Power Plant, Hydro Electric, Educational, Laboratory, Parking Structure, Dormitory, High-rise and mid-rise residential, Mixed-use, Commercial, Tenant Improvement, Design Competition, Renovation and Rehabilitation projects.
As an Autodesk Certified Instructor, he is able to provide production and implementation services, customization, advanced training and support on Revit Architecture, Navisworks, and AutoCAD. Jason has consulted and trained for several Architecture, Engineering and Construction companies.
Mr. Gant has also provided academic training for The Tulane University School of Architecture, Westwood College, Corona Norco Unified School District BIM Workshop, and UCLA Extension.
Isaac Swindell
Isaac is a passionate individual who excels in asking the simple question “How can this be better?” By using Revit API and Third-Party integration software such as Unity, Isaac can help create custom solutions for your specialized problems.
With a Backbone in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, Solidworks, and many of the technical troubleshooting that comes along with Desktop Support, Isaac can help give you the insight into why these software’s behave someway and create better workflow solutions in the long term.
Patrick Rodriguez
Patrick is proficient in an extensive list of software including Maya, Brush, Rhino, Adobe Suite and Sketchbook Pro. He is a an illustrator and concept designer who has worked for TV, Feature Films and Themed Entertainment. He started in vfx preproduction and has done concept illustration, storyboards and more for studios including Disney, Dreamworks, Lucasfilm, South Park, Sony and Marvel.His list of credits include Avengers: Infinity War, Iron Man 2, Venom, Justice League and Star Trek. He is committed to sharing his knowledge and passion for art and film by teaching and lecturing at Walt Disney Imagineering, Art Center, Otis, The Costume Designers Guild and The Art Director’s Guild.
Heidi Hirsch
Heidi comes to BLUEist with over 30 years experience in the architectural and design industry. As an experienced project and design manager Heidi has contributed to projects across the globe. Most recently for Riva Creative USA she worked on the design teams as Design Manager – Interiors for the THEA Award winning Motiongate theme park and Bollywood theme park in Dubai.
While at Walt Disney Imagineer she worked with the design teams of Splash Mountain Florida, Mickey’s Toontown, Disneyland Paris and MGM Studio Tours. Heidi’s unique architectural background as an interior designer brings an ability to understand the specific needs of both traditional and entertainment designers. During her 10 years at Visual Terrain, Inc. she gathered valuable experience working with the lighting designers as a Community Liaison.