It’s time to change your story. Mary did.
This month, we share stories from our students and alumni who put themselves first and changed their careers and creative paths. Whether it’s to pursue a different creative medium or finally leave their corporate jobs, these storytellers share how the MFA Visual Narrative at SVA catalyzed their change.
Applications for Summer 2026 remain open
Meet Mary Georgescu, Class of ‘17, who came to MFAVN as a ceramist and sculptor and graduated as a narrative game designer, who then pursued a second MFA in Game Design.
I joined the program at a time when I needed to uncover truths about myself and how I like to work, and what I like to work on
What was your work/art practice background prior to entering the program?
I was a fine art BFA with ceramics and print as my background. I did not have a practice up and running yet- I was selling ceramics at local tradeshows. I didn’t have industrial experience in anything but knew I wanted to be entrepreneurial and focus on storytelling.
What was the catalyst within your life/career that made you apply to MFAVN when you did?
I wanted to tell better stories that came off the page and experiment with the range and breath of mediums- there was no other program like it at the time. It felt like a natural progression of my interests.
Would you recommend MFAVN for someone who is now at a similar point in their career? Why?
I think it’s still likely the only place that focuses on narrative to such a wide and open degree where you will either lock into your background/profession or leave with something entirely different. Everyone leaves changed for the better but not everyone utilizes the strengths of the program in the same way. It’s a good pressure cooker for your ambitions.
Was there a specific path or change you were looking for once you got the degree? What was it? Did it happen?
I wanted to become a narrative game designer after the program and the work that I did in the program helped launch me to my next degree in Game Design– which I would not have had the connections, time, or space to manifest if it wasn’t through the experiences and experiments I put myself through in the program. I used the program to give myself grace and prove to myself that I was both capable and resourceful to make something possible that a lot of people, mentors included, didn’t fully believe I could pull off in the time that we had.
MFAVN has a very different approach than many grad programs, offering a broad foundation in storytelling across all media. How did this shape or support your career goals?
It was invaluable to the work I do today, which still includes storytelling across media. As a game designer, you’re working on a variety of assets, that all have to come together to tell a story in harmony through the actual product, the social media assets, and how you present the narrative of the product to leadership teams at every single checkpoint. Everything is narrative, because people need to understand why they should care at all about what you’re working on.
Briefly describe your current work position and other notable positions since graduation.
I am currently a Senior Game Designer at Spin Master, I also previously worked at Relatable (prev. What Do You Meme) and Exploding Kittens. I’ve amassed more than a decade of experience in the Mass Market Industry of Tabletop games and released over 20 commercial titles across many categories including family, party, adult, hydration and outdoor games. In 2025, I was honored as one of Mojo Nations’s Top 100 Most Influential Figures in Toys and Games in Research and Design.
Now it’s your turn. Change your story. Pursue what you’ve always wanted to!
Applications for Summer 2026 are Still Open!
Apply Now! Apply before February 15 to be considered for our second round deadline. Applications will remain open through May 1 while space, scholarships, and housing awards remain available.
Reach out to us at mfavn@sva.edu to learn more.
