Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Curry
Hi Nikki, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Nikki Curry, a concept and background designer for animation & a general art maker from San Antonio! I also love illustration, fibers, ceramics… I basically love all visual arts. This year I graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a major in storytelling and concept development for animation. During my time at SCAD I worked on 6 animation and video game projects and learned so much about teamwork, design, storytelling, and organization. Animation is my main passion and I hope to break into the animation industry soon as a background or prop designer for television animation. I enjoy animation because of the beautiful art styles, the possibility with comedic or heart-felt storytelling, and it’s ability to educate younger audiences through a fun medium.
Now that I’m back home from college, I’ve taken up a lot of different opportunities as I work towards my goal. One of those opportunities is exploring art vending at local markets in San Antonio, and its been a blast! I’ve gotten to dive into illustration and how to create physical prints. Selling my artwork in person has been an exciting challenge for me as I learn what works and what I can do to improve my setup. I can’t wait to continue vending to meet more awesome people and continue my art journey!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not entirely. The animation industry is going through a difficult growing period, unfortunately for me, it’s happening right as I’m trying to jump into the industry. Negotiations are happening with TAG (The animation guild) and big animation corporations for better pay and worker’s rights, but it’s been a slow process. The jobs are scarce and all of my animation friends from SCAD are in the same boat as we try to figure out what we can do during this lull.
I’ve been applying often to animation roles that fit me as often as I can, with very little luck. It can be very disheartening to hear “no” so often, especially after a month-long process of interviews, but I never give up hope! I never want to let a disappointing email define me or my career path. I pull myself up after getting a rejection and I work on myself and my art and try again! During all of this it has also allowed me to explore new avenues such as art vending and children’s publishing. Having friends and family who understand the struggle helps too <3
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It’s hard to give myself a title because I love so many different forms of art creation, but if I had to give myself a label it would be a designer for animation. A concept designer creates all the art necessary to inform the team what the animation will look like. I design environments and props in a space, pick the art style, design characters, and decide what colors will be used to bring the aesthetic of a film to life.
I’m addicted to collaborative projects for animation. I thrive in teamwork spaces and working towards a main goal together. Currently, I’m dipping my toes into 3 independent animated short films as a concept artist, producer, background designer, and story artist. I like contributing in any way I can! I also volunteer as a social media coordinator with “Viva La Animacion” an animation organization to highlight Latin artists in the animation space.
One of my favorite projects I’ve worked on so far is the 3D animated short film “Kit & Spoon and the Wayward Moon”. This was my senior thesis film for SCAD which I created with my team of 10 over the course of a year. I was a storyboard artist, a scriptwriter, a concept artist, an animator, and so many more roles as we all worked together to make this film happen. It’s a film about a space farmer and her best friend (her pet cow) as they work together to get back home. I’m so thankful to have learned so much from that experience and I loved getting to design a film based on visuals and themes I love (Space, whimsy, high-contrast, and anything cute!).
What’s next?
I have so many different avenues of creation that I’m looking forward to. I’m currently growing my catalog for art prints and stickers for selling at art markets and now through Etsy as well! I’ve been loving learning more about illustration and I hope to keep this up.
I also plan on releasing a children’s book with my dad this year! This is a story my dad has always wanted to tell and now we can make it happen together. The story follows a little spectacled bear named Benji as discovers he needs (and learns to love) his glasses! We hope to publish the book locally in San Antonio sometime this year!
Lastly, I look forward to making it in the animation industry. My dream is to be a background or prop designer for television animation. I will continue strengthening my portfolio and apply to positions until I can make that happen!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nikkicurry.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozyspacebear/
