Cassandra Gray Introduction

​Hello, fellow horror lovers! My name is Cassandra Gray, and I’m excited to be here at the Horror Studies Working Group (HSWG) as a content creator. I’m a Junior Digital Narrative and Interactive Design (DNID) major at the University of Pittsburgh, where I try to blend my passion for storytelling, programming, and design to create interactive, immersive, experiences.

I’ve lived all over Pittsburgh, and horror has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. At one point, I even lived across the street from Tom Savini, which felt like growing up with a horror legend just a stone’s throw away. My love for the genre started early, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 (1986) was the first horror movie I remember watching, and I was immediately hooked. Something about the chaotic energy in that film, the over-the-top gore, and Dennis Hopper’s amazing performance as Lefty made it very memorable to me. I think from that moment on, I was drawn to horror and its ability to be both terrifying and strangely fun.

When it comes to horror, I find that my love for graphic design shines through in the projects I create. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating eerie visuals, whether it’s designing mock newspapers with different spooky segments, horror posters, infographics for class projects, or UI elements that immerse people in digital worlds. Researching the aesthetics of horror and how color, typography, and composition evoke a sense of dread has only deepened my appreciation for the genre. From the grainy, washed-out look of found footage horror to the utter minimalism of psychological thrillers, I love studying how visual elements shape the atmosphere of fear. Horror isn’t just about the scares, it’s about the world-building, the details, the clues left behind in shadows and static, and the feelings that linger. Through my work, I aim to capture that unsettling beauty. Beyond watching horror, I love exploring what makes the genre so effective. Whether through writing, game design, or analyzing how horror mechanics shape experiences and improve them, I’m always looking for new ways to explore fear.

At the HSWG, I hope to contribute in any way I can by diving deep into the ways horror connects with audiences. I’m excited to keep uncovering new aspects of what makes horror so compelling. I also want to explore how technology continues to push the genre forward, from immersive game design to the growing impact of virtual reality horror experiences. I look forward to sharing my thoughts, connecting with others who love the genre, and exploring horror’s ever-evolving landscape together. After all, horror can never truly die, it’ll just come back for the sequel.