Check Out Santiago Forero’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Santiago Forero.

Hi Santiago, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
I’ve always been really interested in creating. Since I was little, I admired the power that films and video games had in evoking emotion and immersing me in their worlds, so learning how to use that creative potential was always my goal when it came to choosing a career. Filmmaking was the creative outlet I had for a really long time when I was a kid, and I chose to pursue studies in Film and Television at the National University of Colombia, which is where I am from. After studying for a couple of years, the 2020 pandemic came, and you could imagine filmmaking was super challenging in those circumstances. The lack of access to physical sets, however, led me to look for other methods or ways to create. I discovered 3D software as a creative tool for world-building, and I completely fell in love. 3D was a way to bring to life anything I could imagine without any physical limitations, and I was so fascinated by its full immersive potential. Studying in Los Angeles was always a dream of mine as well; so many creatives come to the city to tell stories, and I also yearned to be a part of that. 

All of this made me realize the career path I needed to take, and after a lot of research, I stumbled upon Gnomon School of VFX, Games, and Animation. I admired the incredible quality of work the students had; I was really in awe. Moving to another country to bet on a dream sounded surreal and really intimidating, but I made it my #1 goal to build a strong portfolio and eventually apply to their program. 

Fast-forward almost 3 years, and I’ve had an experience filled with countless challenges, incredible support from family and friends, and a lot of personal growth. I am currently in my final year of studies at Gnomon, ready to keep growing professionally, building a career in this industry I’ve always admired. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I feel like you’ll always find challenges when you decide to make art a fundamental part of your life or career. I always doubted if I was good enough. Studying art equates to a constant learning process filled with self-criticism. For me that sometimes meant being frustrated with the quality of my work, especially starting out in a place filled with so many talented artists. 3D is a challenging medium that can be overwhelming at first, and while it does present a steep learning curve, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the evolution and progress in your art. 

The biggest challenge by far, however, has been going through this creative process while also adapting to a new environment. When you embark on the journey of moving to another country, your life literally starts from scratch. I’ve been fortunate enough to find an amazing support system in my partner and friends, but at the beginning I constantly questioned myself on whether I had made the right decision. Today, however, I have no doubts, and I feel proud of the home I’ve been able to build here and how far my art has come. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a CG artist currently specializing in 3D environment art for video games. Getting to utilize the storytelling possibilities of environment art has been really gratifying. I’ve always tried to make composition and lighting fundamental cornerstones of my work, and I’m proud to have received accolades for those aspects during my time at Gnomon. I think my proudest moment has been seeing my work displayed at the Gnomon Gallery this past year. I’m also really proud of my perseverance throughout this journey; I think what sets me apart from others is my adaptability and discipline. When I first started to pursue 3D art back in my country, I realized that there weren’t many opportunities around me or even ways in which I could develop professionally. I made it my main goal to find access to these opportunities, no matter how far-fetched that seemed. I was willing to put in the work to find a way into the industry. Financing my education was also very hard on me, but I was committed to finding scholarships and means to make this dream happen. No matter how unlikely the odds seemed to me, my discipline and my commitment have led me to be the best artist I can be. 

What do you think about happiness?
I like to find joy in revisiting the films and games that I grew up with, the ones that really defined my childhood, they remind me why I chose to pursue art as a career. Also, seeing the amazing and inspiring work other CG artists have to share and getting to see them thrive. Especially friends I’ve made along the way at Gnomon whose work I always admire. Seeing them share their passions and art is super exciting, and watching them succeed professionally brings me a lot of joy. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artstation.com/saforerol
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/santiagoforerolopez
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-forero-767043225