Got my first job! Working as a CGI designer


Name: Zoe Russian Moreno

Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela

Degree/Major: Architecture

Where are you working? Job Title? 3-D CGI Designer at DBOX

How did you get your job?
After my master’s thesis I realized that my true calling was in the world of special effects, best known as VFX. I wanted to create different layers of world building combined with my architectural degree. My job search was difficult because I was international student. I needed to find work within three months, or I would have had to return to Venezuela, which was a big NO. Also, I didn’t want to work in the typical architecture positions. This took some creative thinking and venturing outside my comfort zone.

I looked into architectural visualization companies from around the globe – companies that focus on telling stories with amazing visuals. I came across DBOX, a critically acclaimed creative company that develops immersive marketing campaigns. They have offices in Miami, London and New York. I applied for the CGI team in all offices; I just wanted a chance to work with them. I revised my portfolio, making sure to add my thesis and finally pressed the send button. A few days later, the Miami office called me for an interview. They were impressed with my work ethic and capacity to create stories. I was just grateful that they understood what having a purpose can do to a project. Later that week, they called back to offer me the position.

What was your greatest fear going into your first job? How did you overcome it?
The main thing was learning new software in general. In the ‘big’ industries, work is much more demanding and the final product has more finesse and attention to detail so I needed to up my game. For months, I stayed up late learning the required software. I obsessed over CGI websites to keep updated. It was intense. However, in a couple of months, I was building scenes for future projects. The effort paid off.

What surprised you the most about your first job?
The level of detail and thought put into each scene. How the light hits the frame? What’s the best camera for the area? What’s the best color palette? Who is the audience? What’s the best camera composition? What time of year? What specific furniture is needed to make the scene come to life? Do we add people or not to tell a particular story? It’s basically creating the matrix.

What advice do you have for those beginning the job search process?
Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t think that because you have an specific major you are only limited to that area. Venture out there and don’t settle for something you’re going to dread later. It’s not good for you or the company you’ll join. Be willing to re-learn and explore.

What does a day on the job look like?
Coffee. Check to see what’s due that day. Talk to the team about how to proceed on different scenes. Most of the time, we have several projects going on at the same time so organization and communication between all parties is super important. Depending on the priorities, I could be making new scenes with furniture, lightning, materiality (all in CGI). Or other days I do the post-production of final images, which include color corrections and such. Coffee again. Then check what I need to do tomorrow and do it all again the following day.

How does your job connect back to your coursework?
My job is creating architecture that is not yet physically tangible and making CGI scenes that feel and look real to clients. They need our images to ‘visualize’ the space, to understand it, to buy it. We use floor plans, sections, elevations to build our concept. I apply my degree everyday as I need to understand the spaces and build the story around it.

How have you transitioned from school to work? How do you balance your time?
I was always a workaholic so the transition was not bad. I actually get to sleep more now. I schedule time every week to work on my own personal projects. This helps me grow as a designer, and I come up with new and better solutions for work. Win-Win. Also, I now spend weekends re-charging; I didn’t do that while I was in school. All in all, adulting is great!

What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far?
The quality of work we produce is pretty high standard. I’m always proud of what we put out there. Also, the people are great – full of energy, but down to Earth. We have a ping-pong table so during long rendering times we relax by playing little tournaments here and there. Nevertheless, the coolest thing about work so far has been the learning curve. I have to keep on my toes all the time so I don’t get left behind. Technology keeps changing so I need to adapt every time there’s a new plug-in, software or such. The erudite in me is happy to have the opportunity to learn something new every day.

Check out one of the projects I was involved with below:

Credits:

Developers & Client: Macklowe Properties

CGI and Animation: DBOX Team

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