Having explored the urban landscapes of both New York and Los Angeles, Melaina Mace returned to her Northwest roots in 2006 to complete her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Film at Portland State University. She went on to work as a freelance writer and photographer in Portland, Oregon. Rediscovering a lifelong passion for the digital arts, she went on to study Visual Effects, Matte Painting and Concept Design in Vancouver, B.C. in 2009.