Uncover Hidden Talent: Hire the World’s Top New Digital Artists

Growing up in New Zealand, I was instantly in love with the work of Weta Workshop/Digital on the Lord of the Rings films. Aside from the story, I was always intrigued by how the films were made - whether it was the CGI elements, sculpting, or prop-making. I decided late 2017 to finally pursue the childhood dream of mine to creatively work in the film industry and I just recently finished my degree in Creative Media Production - majoring in VFX & Animation.

Growing up I have always adored storytelling, and knew that I wanted to be able to share the magical sensation hearing a good story gives me, with the world. I was fifteen when I first heard the term 'concept designer', and while before I had been flip flopping between wanting to pursue any number of conceptual roles, I knew that was something I wanted to set my sights on.

Lots of experience playing videogames, got into designing 3D models from an animation project. Since then I have been working to improve and get into modeling.

I decided early on that I wanted to do artistic work because I wanted to spend the majority of my time doing something I enjoyed. I also want to be able to evolve and increase my skills with time by working professionally.

I've always had the urge to build and create worlds, explore ideas and make the ideas in my head come to life - and to have that resonate and connect with other people.

I was in rural Hokkaido and just had this realisation that the most rewarding part of my life was art - and drawing funky little characters. Even as everything in my environment changes, (people come and go, moving house and so on...) art is present. It’s something I've always been drawn to. There’s also the beautiful artistry behind animation that is so captivating - so much attention is paid to the smallest intricacies. I fell in love with animation as an art form.

As a child I loved to draw and always knew I wanted to work on films, games or shows. Though back then I actually wanted to be a 2D animator, but I found out more recently that 3D is my true passion. I just love the idea of creating believable monsters and animated characters!

Since I first learned about it as a kid. My dad was showing me behind the scene clips on YouTube of 'The Hobbit' and I've had my heart set on the industry ever since.

I would like to say that I first realised it when my dad introduced me to films directed by Peter Jackson from Weta (Lord of the rings, Avatar and The Hobbit) and by Hayao Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli (Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa) at very young age. All my schooling until I arrived at Massey was in Te Reo Māori immersion classes, so most of my creative skills are self-taught. So when I started to use new software and learn new techniques is when I was certain that 'this is me'.

Just before high school started, as then I had become obsessed with animated storytelling and creative media. Before then I had also bought my first Wacom tablet (Small Intuos 2 in 1), being obsessed with digital artistry also helped lead me to become interested in the animation industry.

I originally enrolled in university for fine arts but realised that I enjoy design work much more. After being introduced to concept design through a few classes I decided that I wanted to pursue it further.

During my last years of high school when I was looking into my career pathways, I discovered that it was now possible to study in the creative media industry. From here I took the dive into 3D modelling, game design and visual effects as my fields of study at university and haven't regretted it since.

It was during the year 2009, when James Cameron’s “Avatar” arrived into the cinemas that I really decided that I wanted to be a filmmaker, I think I went to see it four times at the theatres. I was inspired by these artists ability to create something that doesn’t readily exist; the world, character designs and overall sheer beauty from a 3D standpoint of the whole production. Animation has always held a place in my heart, I think there is just something so special about it.

When my third year at uni I notice that am more interested in doing computer graphics than anything else, so I change my major from industrial design to creative media production and I start to spend all my time improve my skills in both 3D Art and programming. the more I learn the more I noticed there still have a lot thing I can do it better, I spend my remaining two years doing 3d modelling and exploring Mix-reality.

Since learning photography when I was 14 years old, I have realized that I want to work in creative industries. In my work experience, I have been a gaffer or a DIT in many campaigns shooting. I would love to learn more about creating those fantastic visual artists' works. That will be an unforgettable experience in my life.

I realised I wanted to work in the creative industry through my love of watching animated films and playing video games as a kid. This is a pastime that I've grown up with and I've learned to appreciate the art of 3D animation much more.

Early on when I was a kid I always liked drawing my own series of comics or create flipbook animations on the corner of my textbooks. I didn't think much of it until the final years of highschool when I decided that I wanted to take the risk of following my talents.

I've been drawing all my life and it never was a question, although there was a time when I wanted to be a fashion or costume designer rather than going into media production.

since high school

I have always had an interest in creative mediums throughout my childhood. Inspired by the shows I watched and video games I played throughout my youth inspired me to take my craft further. I currently study concept art at university from changing my degree from graphic design initally, as illustration and conceptual design was what I truly enjoyed.

At the end of high school, I chose to study visual communication design

I first realised that I wanted to work in the creative industry in high school. I have always enjoyed creating animations/content for YouTube at a young age so I felt like I should pursue something similar.

I've always been interested in all kinds of wildlife, having fueled my creative drive from a young age. I'm especially interested in animals and emotive imagery, endeavoring to develop realistic traits and a driven story within my work.