Interview with Aasa Ooraikul
You like to become a modeler but your texturing skills are good too, so what’s the reason of choosing a modeler as career objective?
From my point of view, I think a good modeler should have both modeling and texturing skill (a bit of lighting and compositing). A good model might looks bad if it has a bad texture but a bad model might looks good if you put an awesome texture on it, don’t you think? The reason why I want to become a modeler because personally I like to create something from my imagination and want to see it moving not just to be a sculpture. You have your model moving but then you have to sacrifice some details on that model. It’s the equivalent trade.
Can you tell us a little about your drawing techniques? How much drawing skills is essential for any 3d artists?
To tell you the truth, I don’t really have any drawing techniques. It’s just I’ve been drawing since I was a kid and I pretty much learn by myself which is not quite good but I always look for a reference both real photo and drawing picture. I also got inspiration from many artists; drawing style, color scheme, lighting and composition.
I think drawing and painting skill are the most important for 3D artists. Everything that you made in 3D reflects how skillful you are in 2D. A good 3D image or movie comes from a good sketch design (either character or environment design), painting, color and composition. All these 2D elements really have an impact on the 3D final result.
Please tell us the most difficult obstacle you faced in any of your projects and how you overcome that problem?
Although I like modeling but it’s a part that gave me the most problem. Normally, I’d create a model with as much detail as I can then I’ll use Zbrush to add more fine detail into it. However, to be able to animate my character properly, I need to think about functional which related to how to managed line flow and how to spend polygon wisely. If you have too many polygons, it’d possibly not work for rigging (I mean it’s a nightmare for TD). Also, it’s not only about rigging but you need to concern about other stuff like dynamics and simulation as well. For example a wing’s tissues on the dragon, in the beginning, I made everything in a single object but I had so much trouble with rigging (the polygons were crashing when the wing fold). Later on I studied about Maya Ncloth and decided to use it but single object won’t work with the simulation. As a result, I have to delete the entire wings and made it as separate pieces.
You have knowledge of Maya, Softimage XSI. Do you think there are any advantages in knowing more than one program and which is your main program and why?
It’s good if you know more than one program because you’ll learn more technique but it’s not a must. Also, every program has their advantage and disadvantage. Sometimes you could apply the advantage from one program to another program which helps fasten your work flow.
If you could create yourself as any 3D character whether it's in a game
or a film who would it be?
Hmmm…This is a tough question. I’d want to be one of those BG character for example; In Happy Feet, I’d want to be one of those penguin in the background or in Bug’s life, I’d want to be one of the ant so people won’t notice me if I screw up my acting. 
What is one piece of advice you would give to any artist looking to get into 3D or 2D?
All I can say is keep practicing of what you want to be. Watch a lot of movies will help about composition, lighting and acting. The most important thing is don’t forget 2D even you are 3D artist, keep drawing and painting. I still have a lot to learn as well so just don’t give up.
On which projects you are working these days, and which project you enjoying the most.
I just graduated last month so I need time to relax a bit before I come up with the new project. But the project that I enjoy the most was a project from my previous company called Ninja Gaiden for Xbox. We created some of the cinematic in this game. It was a big change for me because we had one of art director from Japan come to guide and worked with us in Thailand and I learned a lot from him both artistic and 3D skill. I got big improvement after finish this project. It’s the first time that I feel so proud of what I did.
Thanks a lot Aasa for your time. Best Wishes for future.
Related Links
Artists Website: www.ar-za.com
Artists Demoreel: Demoreel Download
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