The 3D Artist Community
The Community I Always Wanted
In April, I launched The 3D Artist Community, and over the past few months, many have asked how it's been progressing. This week, I’d like to dedicate the newsletter to highlighting the incredible achievements we've made in this vibrant online space in such a short time.
Where It All Began
For those unfamiliar with my story, let me take a quick step back. A few years ago, I was laid off from my job at Blue Sky Studios after working there for 13 years. It left me feeling lost. I thought my only path was within the media and entertainment industries—working on animated films or video games. But the world of 3D was so much bigger than that, and I didn’t realize it.
Luckily, I landed an incredible position with Adobe's Substance 3D team, and my eyes were opened to the vast industries using 3D in innovative ways. From footwear design to medical visualization, 3D skills are in high demand across fashion, product design, architectural visualization, AR/VR, and so much more.
That’s why I started the 3D Artist Community—to help every 3D artist understand the massive scope of opportunities available today.
A Community That Gives Back
The way our community works is simple: it’s a paid membership, hosted on Skool, where I pay $100 a month to maintain the platform. Everyone else currently pays $20 per month, and all that money goes directly into a community fund, which we use to provide resources, licenses, and workshops for the benefit of the group. If you join today, your rate will stay at $20, even if the price rises in the future.
Weekly AMAs and Networking Opportunities
Our weekly AMA sessions are one of the most exciting parts of the community. Every Wednesday, we bring in an industry professional to talk about their workflow and allow our members to ask questions. This isn’t just about learning new techniques—it’s about making connections, building relationships, and expanding your personal network.
Beyond AMAs, we also have informal hangouts, which are perfect for freelancers or remote workers who may feel isolated. These events give you the chance to connect with artists around the world and gain fresh perspectives on your work.
Powerful Resources at Your Fingertips
We’ve also made tangible strides in providing top-notch resources to our members. We've secured a few Maxon One licenses, which include access to essential tools like Cinema 4D, ZBrush, Redshift, and more—ready to be used by our community to fuel their creative projects.
But we’re not stopping there. We’re constantly discussing how to use the community pool of funds to purchase more licenses, bring in workshops, and provide other resources that can push our work even further.
The Real Value: The Community Itself
At its core, the 3D Artist Community is more than just software licenses or events. It’s a network of passionate individuals who come together to share their wins, support each other’s struggles, and help solve real-world challenges.
We now have over 60 members from various 3D industries—games, films, fashion, product visualization, AR/VR, and more. We’ve created a space where everyone can come together, filter through the noise, and discuss real issues and opportunities in the 3D space.
Each week, we share our “roses and thorns”—our successes and challenges—and support each other through the ups and downs. It’s a place where you can learn about the latest trends, get feedback from experienced artists, and grow in ways you never imagined.
Join Us and Take Charge of Your Career
The 3D Artist Community is all about empowerment. It’s about making sure you understand how valuable your 3D skills are in every industry. If you’re ever laid off, unhappy with your current work, or just looking for a change, this community will help you see where your skills can take you.
With opportunities expanding in industries like footwear, fashion, medical visualization, and more, we want to ensure that you never miss out on the career opportunities that could lead to a long and fulfilling career.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me directly on LinkedIn. I look forward to welcoming you to the community and helping you take your career to the next level.
The 3D Artist Community Updates
Join us this Wednesday for an AMA with Brian Handler. Brian is a Lead Environment Artist at LAIKA Studios. Previously, he was a Senior Layout TD at Wētā FX on projects like "Avatar: The Way of Water" and "Guardians of the Galaxy 3." He spent 12 years at Blue Sky Studios, specializing in procedural set dressing, environments, and pipeline development.
3D News of the Week
Maxon Releases ZBrush For IPad - Maxon
Here's What Game Development Studios Appreciate in Outsourcers - 80.lv
Raytracing of Gaussian splats with V-Ray - YouTube
Sony Wants To Produce More Animation Content, But Hampered By Animator Shortage, High Costs - Cartoon Brew
Adobe is extending Firefly generative AI to its video tools - CGChannel
3D Merch is here!
3D Tutorials
3D Job Spreadsheet
Link to Google Doc With A TON of Jobs in Animation (not operated by me)
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 The 3D Artist Community on Skool and this newsletter.
www.michaeltanzillo.com
Free 3D Tutorials on the Michael Tanzillo YouTube Channel
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