Latin School of Chicago

"I was very self-motivated," he said. His first real project came from that independent study, which he called "Ezra.IO," a series of short experiments that could be viewed on the iPhone, including an interactive version of a Sol LeWitt drawing and an app that sorted an image's pixels. Miller was invited to show that project at the Museum of Contemporary Art at a program called 21Minus, a one-day event displaying the works and projects of students under 21, which is still in existence. Because Miller has always loved music, he was involved in the LaTones, Latin's male a cappella singing group. He was also a part of the yearbook team, which allowed him to experiment with graphic design, something he cites as "very influential." Miller credits Latin with his ability to write well. Although English and writing weren't his favorite classes, Miller recognizes the solid foundation they gave him for his career. "The writing program at Latin was great," he said. "It's important as a freelancer in this industry that I'm able to communicate clearly with clients and collaborators." The progressive discussion formats of many of his Latin classes Miller also found helpful when it came to working with various artists, art directors and developers. He was used to listening to various perspectives and was not afraid to offer his own viewpoints. Miller also recognizes that Latin's curriculum instilled a healthy work ethic. Clearly, with long hours dedicated to his craft, Miller is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get to work. And his rigorous course load, especially his senior year, gave him confidence. "It made me realize that I could succeed in college and as a freelancer," he said. Currently a senior at New York University, Miller has taken a leave of absence for one year and is so much in demand that he is working full time. One music fest leads to a commission which leads to the next project. Miller hopes to continue creating his art, forging new paths and being tested by the intricacies and demands of each project. "Each freelance job I take I learn something new. That's part of the fun and part of the challenge," he said. To see some of Ezra Miller's work, visit him on Instagram @ezzzrrra " The writing program at Latin was great. It's important as a freelancer in this industry that I'm able to communicate clearly with clients and collaborators." Ezra Miller's "Data Murmuration" piece, featuring a simulation of birds flying and flocking in the sky, was displayed at the Google I/O developer conference in Mountain View, California, in 2017. Photo credit: @ezzzrrra via Instagram Photo credit: @ezzzrrra via Instagram LATIN MAGAZINE » WINTER 2019 33

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