Today we’d like to introduce you to Daria Savchenko.
Hi Daria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Lately, making people look at your art has become increasingly challenging. While artists can have immense skill and talent, create all sorts of impressive artwork, and publish it on social media, the public’s appreciation for it is at its lowest. This is what I had in mind while learning classical drawing and painting from a European artist in Ukraine. I wanted to make art, and I wanted the world to see it, so naturally, I figured that movies, specifically animated movies, are the most widespread and easily acceptable form of art now. While 2D animation is still active and prevalent, CG art is what caught my eye after researching the opportunities available. I had a lot to learn and took a long way to get to where I am now, but I wouldn’t have taken a different path even if I could.
Now, I am a full-time 3D modeler and a full-time Computer Graphics student balancing an office job and school while trying to experience everything the CG production industry has to offer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Because of a lack of general information about the CG and VFX industry that is available to the general public, I made some mistakes on my way to applying to one of the best Computer Graphics schools in the world. Before applying to Gnomon School of Visual Effects, I was a student at a different university all the way in New York City. Life there was exciting and full of new experiences. However, it didn’t align with my career and academic goals, so I had to make a hard decision to transfer to Gnomon in Hollywood. Having said that, this is a very intense school that requires you to put up to 16 hours of work per day for the projects. It’s not your regular university with set hours for classes, weekends, and long breaks. We have classes from 9 am to 10 pm, Monday through Sunday, based on the professors’ schedules. It took some perseverance and adapting to be able to combine the 40-hour work week for my job with the pressure of a 3D art school, but at this point, I think it helped me to develop my work ethic and grow a thick skin when it comes to stress and mental pressure.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a 3D Modeling artist at a company that provides 3D content for West Elm. Most of the product pictures of the furniture you see on the websites of big companies are not photos of actual chairs and couches but rather renders of the content we produce. Even though I enjoy creating CG models, during my time at school, I found that texturing for CG is a more creatively liberating field, so I am working to develop my skill and add more texturing pieces to my portfolio. While modeling gives you an object in 3D space, something you can look at from any perspective and change the shape of at any moment, texturing is what brings a 3D model to life. It turns the grey clay into realistic-looking materials that can help you mimic reality or bend it however you like.
So far, my proudest achievement was creating a CG artwork showing a tomato pie that managed to fool some people into thinking that it’s a picture taken in real life. It was my first time taking on a challenge that is CG food, and thanks to all the guidance I got from my professors and peers, it got to a point where I’m proud to show it off.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
While hard skills are incredibly important in the technical field that is Computer Graphics, social skills are what is worth focusing on just as much in the formative years of our careers. It’s a hard truth, but connections get you opportunities, so making and keeping genuine friendships goes a long way. Besides that, I learned that putting yourself in challenging situations, such as taking on leadership roles or working at professional events and conventions, helps you to grow your confidence as an artist and a social person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dsavchenkoart.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mokoshinka/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-savchenko-art
