Navigating Challenging Times
The Importance of Staying Engaged and Proactive
The job market is currently challenging, with limited opportunities and frequent layoffs contributing to widespread uncertainty. Feeling overwhelmed and tempted to withdraw is a natural response.
I genuinely understand these feelings.
The impulse to pull back and isolate oneself can be compelling in such difficult times.
However, this week's newsletter serves as a reminder of the critical need to remain engaged and proactive.
The Importance of Engagement
All my significant successes have emerged from taking action rather than retreating. This principle has held my personal and professional lives, where active involvement has consistently yielded unexpected rewards.
Consider the running club I joined, for instance.
While it didn't restore my past speed, it did introduce me to an incredible group of friends and my future spouse.
The burger-themed Kickstarter project I co-founded didn't succeed, but it brought me my closest friend, Brad.
And though my online school venture didn't achieve financial independence, it connected me with incredible students and imparted essential business knowledge through collaboration with my co-founder, Jasmine.
These pivotal experiences were only possible because I chose to seize new opportunities instead of shrinking back when faced with challenges.
Skills Are Perishable
When times are hard, it’s easy to stop creating. You might not have work or school demands, allowing other priorities to take over. You may feel you've learned enough, yet skills are not static—they either develop or decline.
Artistic skills cannot be paused and left unattended without consequence. Like maintaining fitness, keeping your creative abilities sharp requires regular practice. While short breaks are manageable, prolonged inactivity can erode your skills and lead to significant setbacks.
Therefore, maintaining your creative output is crucial despite any urge to retreat.
Finding Community Online
Losing a job or dealing with unemployment can lead to isolation. Likewise, while remote work offers flexibility, it often lacks a physical office's community and collaborative spirit.
Online communities provide a valuable alternative, allowing interactions with like-minded artists, opportunities for feedback on personal projects, and connections with industry professionals outside your company. However, these advantages require active participation. Joining a community is just the start—you must engage, share your work, help resolve technical issues, and support others when needed. Active involvement can transform these digital platforms into sources of real-world friendships and professional opportunities.
In-Person Connections Matter
Still, online communities cannot entirely replace the value of face-to-face interactions. Attending conferences, meet-ups, and other live events can significantly enhance career development.
A prime example is my recent experience at the GDC Student Portfolio Reviews, a highlight since joining the Substance 3D/Adobe team. We planned for scheduled reviews and encouraged walk-ins, accommodating unforeseen opportunities.
But the effort to seek out these opportunities is considerable. Prospective attendees face travel and high event costs and must muster the courage to present their work to strangers—challenges that might seem daunting compared to the comfort of routine.
Yet, for those who persevere, the rewards are evident. One student who secured an impromptu review showcased exceptional work, which I was honored to assess. Her project was not just well-executed but stunning.
Impressed, I promoted her reel extensively online and in person. The response was phenomenal, with numerous industry contacts expressing interest. While a job offer isn't guaranteed, her efforts to overcome obstacles have opened many doors and may well lead to a significant career opportunity.
Persistence Pays Off
Staying motivated can be difficult, especially when it feels like external forces are against you. However, it's essential to block out the distractions and press on. This resilience is not only vital for your artistic development but also for your ability to collaborate effectively.
Continue to strive, remain engaged, and allow your talent to shine, despite the obstacles you face.
3D News of the Week
Apple's Spatial Personas for the Vision Pro bring your FaceTime callers into the room - Tech Spot
How Pixar Fosters a Culture of Vulnerability at Work - Harvard Business Review
Future Apple Vision Pro may get Bob Ross-style virtual painting tools - Apple Insider
Dimensions.com is an ongoing reference database of dimensioned drawings - Dimensions
JangaFX's New Software Can Simulate Caustics in Real-Time - 80.lv
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Hello! Michael Tanzillo here. I am the Head of Technical Artists with the Substance 3D Growth team at Adobe. Previously, I was a Senior Artist on animated films at Blue Sky Studios/Disney with credits including three Ice Age movies, two Rios, Peanuts, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, and Epic.
In addition to his work as an artist, I am the Co-Author of the book Lighting for Animation: The Visual Art of Storytelling and the Co-Founder of The Academy of Animated Art, an online school that has helped hundreds of artists around the world begin careers in Animation, Visual Effects, and Digital Imaging. I also created The3DArtist.Community and this newsletter.
www.michaeltanzillo.com
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