The document describes Derek Gustafson's background and interest in becoming an environment artist. It details his passion for art from a young age, excelling in art classes and experiencing computer art. Games were an introduction that he found fun and competitive. Fable was influential as it showed him worlds could be created. He pursued architecture but realized it was not for him. He then decided to pursue his dream of becoming an immersive world artist and environment artist, creating worlds for games to give others an escape, as games have given him.