Susana Sierra
Susana Sierra
3D Artist
Toronto, Canada

Dynamic and passionate graphic designer and 3D artist with extensive experience across the animation pipeline, including production coordination, previz, modeling, surfacing, lighting, and compositing. Proficient in industry-standard tools like Blender, Maya, Nuke, ZBrush, and Substance Painter/Designer, with a growing expertise in node-based workflows.

A proven track record of success in animation and advertising, having collaborated with high-profile clients such as Spin Master, McDonald’s, Subway, Frito-Lay, and Crocs. Known for a dedication to continuous learning, innovation, and creative problem-solving, both in professional projects and personal pursuits like sewing and illustration. Eager to bring a blend of technical skill and artistic vision to drive compelling visual experiences.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

TheVanity
CG Artist
September 2021 - Present (3 years 4 months)
Seamlessly blended CG graphics with live footage for Fortune 500 clients.
Embrace a learning mindset, consistently growing and refining my skills in every new challenge.
Worked with big name clients like McDonalds, Subway, Crocs and FritoLay creating graphic elements that were creative, detailed and high quality.

Tangent Animation
Environment Surface Artist
May 2021 to August 2021 (5 months)
Contributed to the Monkey King show, utilizing a USD pipeline for production.
Worked within a stunning design framework, helping bring the show's vision to life.
Played a key role in developing and improving the pipeline despite the company’s closure during production.

Jam Filled
3D Artist
June 2020 - May 2021 (1 year)
Modeled and detailed diverse interior and exterior environments for the show A Tale Dark and Grimm while adhering to art direction to maintain a cohesive visual style.
Created high-quality hero props to serve as focal points, enhancing the visual impact of the scenes.
Developed background props that contributed to the depth, realism, and storytelling of the environment.

Guru Studio
4 years 9 months total

3D Previz
February 2020 - June 2020 (5 months)
Returned to the position after a year away, driven by a strong enthusiasm for organizing and managing the 3D pipeline.
Reengaged with the tasks and challenges of pipeline organization, showcasing passion and commitment to the role.

Assets & Design Coordinator
November 2018 - February 2020 (1 year 4 months)
Managed the entire asset creation lifecycle, from script stage through production to final delivery, ensuring smooth and efficient processes.
Utilized Shotgun to track and streamline all relevant information, maintaining organization and workflow efficiency.
Ensured every detail was accounted for to support a seamless and effective production pipeline.

3D Previsualization
December 2017 - November 2018 (1 year)
Developed a strong passion for organizing the 3D pipeline, with a focus on asset management and transitioning from Leica to dynamic 3D shots.
Facilitated clear communication between departments to ensure alignment and smooth workflows.
Took pride in documenting key processes for future reference, enhancing efficiency and knowledge sharing.

3D Artist
October 2015 - December 2017 (2 years 3 months)
Modeled and surfaced assets for Justin Time Season 3, Abby Hatcher and Paw Patrol.
Developed architectural elements such as houses, buildings, and city planning to enhance environments.
Applied surfacing knowledge where required to deliver high-quality assets.

PUREBLINK
3D Artist
March 2017 - July 2017 (5 months)
Collaborated with a talented team of artists to create storytelling images and videos for high-end condominiums.
Contributed to layout, modeling, lighting, and post-production processes to produce visually compelling content.
Helped increase sales of high-end condominiums through effective visual storytelling and high-quality deliverables.

HM-FILMS
Multimedia Graphic Designer
October 2013 - December 2014 (1 year 3 months)
Printed ads, web layout design & multimedia design for different companies in the automotive media.

EDUCATION

Professional in Graphic Design - Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogota, Colombia - August 2009
Graduate Degree in Computer Animation - Sheridan College - Toronto, Ontario - August 2015

CERTIFICATIONS

Nuke Compositing for 3D Artists CGMA | Computer Graphics Master AcademyCGMA | Computer Graphics Master Academy - Issued Dec 2023
Methods of 3D VFX Compositing Nuke Masterclass - NK202- Udemy
Introduction to Nuke VFX Compositing: The Essentials - NK101 - Udemy - Issued Feb 2023
Advanced Substance for Environment Art by Ben Keeling - CGMA | Computer Graphics Master Academy - Issued Jul 2021
Fundamentals of Substance for Environment Art
CGMA | Computer Graphics Master Academy - Issued Apr 2021
Substance Designer Basics: Create a Video Game Material - CGMA | Computer Graphics Master Academy - Issued Jan 2021
Scene Creation with Blender and Substance Painter Udemy - Issued Dec 2020
Lighting and Shading for Film Production - CGMA | Computer Graphics Master Academy - Issued Jun 2020

Resume PDF

Skills

Compositing3D ModelingHard Surface ModelingTexturingPre-vizPBR TexturingCommunicationLearning3d modelOrganizingAsset Coordinator

Software proficiency

3ds Max
3ds Max
Blender
Blender
Illustrator
Illustrator
Maya
Maya
Mudbox
Mudbox
Nuke
Nuke
Photoshop
Photoshop
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Designer
Substance 3D Designer
Marmoset Toolbag
Marmoset Toolbag
ZBrush
ZBrush
InDesign
InDesign
Shotgun
Shotgun
Redshift
Redshift
Vray
Vray

Productions

    • TV Production
      A Tale Dark and Grimm
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      3D Modeler
    • Company
      Jam Filled
    • TV Production
      Abby Hatcher Season 2
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Asset & Design Coordinator
    • Company
      Guru Studio

Experience

  • 3D Generalist at The Vanity
    Toronto, CA
    September 2021 - Present

    Demonstrated versatility by effectively tackling a wide range of client challenges, swiftly adapting to meet specific project requirements and delivering optimal solutions.

    Proactively acquired and applied new technical skills to meet evolving job demands, ensuring high-quality results across various tasks.

    Enhanced the interaction of 2D and 3D layers, creating seamless visual integration of graphics within realistic environments.

    Delivered polished, dynamic visuals by combining artistic creativity and technical proficiency to produce graphics that blended naturally with their surroundings.

  • Environment Surface Artist at TANGENT ANIMATION STUDIO
    Toronto, Canada
    June 2021 - Present

    Meet production deadlines and communicate clearly with production management

    Establish and create the final look of characters, props and scenery and offer nuances to achieve the desired final look

    Participate in reviews and offer insight/suggestions for improving art and workflow

    Bring creative ideas and solutions to optimize the level of visual and technical quality

  • 3D modeler at JAM FILLED
    Toronto, Canada
    June 2020 - May 2021

    Modeled and detailed several interiors and exteriors following art direction I also modeled many smaller hero and background props.

  • Previz Artist at GURU STUDIO
    Toronto, Canada
    February 2020 - June 2020

    Previz. Back to the previz position as I missed the creative work and hands-on work on assets.

  • Asset & Design Coordinator at GURU STUDIO
    Toronto, Canada
    December 2018 - February 2020

    I oversaw the creation of assets from the script stage through the whole production up to final delivery and organize all information using Shotgun.

  • Previz Artist at GURU STUDIO
    Toronto, Canada
    January 2018 - December 2018

    I’ve developed my passion for the organizing of the 3D pipeline: Asset chasing, leica to dynamic 3D shots, Communication between departments, documenting key aspects for future assessment and spotting and solving of potential problems.

  • 3D modeler at GURU STUDIO
    Toronto, Canada
    July 2017 - January 2018

    I modeled props including buildings and houses among many other props.

  • 2D and 3D Artist at PUREBLINK STUDIO
    Toronto, Canada
    May 2017 - July 2017

    Developed, with a talented team of artists, award-winning, storytelling images and videos through the process of layout, modeling, lighting and some postproduction that increased sales of high-end condominiums.

  • 3D modeler at GURU STUDIO
    Toronto, Canada
    August 2015 - May 2017

    I modeled and surfaced assets for Justin Time Season 3 and modeled assets for Spin Master and Nickelodeon’s Abby Hatcher. I developed the architecture (Houses and buildings) and city planning. Some surfacing knowledge was required.

  • 3D Artist at AQUAMOTION
    Bogota, Colombia
    September 2013 - January 2014

    I used 3Ds Max to create architectural visualizations for high-end condominium development.

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