We are starting STRONG with our series of interviews! Today, we’re thrilled to welcome David, the head of our 3D department, as our inaugural guest. We hope you enjoy diving into these and learn more about the incredible team that shapes VOLTA into what it is today. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Q: Hi David, before we start, could you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at VOLTA?
David: Absolutely. My name is David Dias Borba, I’m 39 years old and originally from Brazil. I am the Lead 3D Art Director at VOLTA, which means that I oversee the 3D department from an artistic standpoint, while also engaging in project art direction.
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Q: Cool! Can you share with us how you got started in the world of art and how you have worked as an artist/art director?
David: I started learning about 3D art around 2 years before starting a Graphic Design Bachelor program, which was the closest thing to 3D available at the time. For my professional experience, it started in 2003 and was quite varied: Short films, ads for TV, and even direct-to-DVD animations, where I got the opportunity to do some co-directing.
Funnily enough, my first and my last experiences in my home country were the most unique. The first being in the medical field, where I sculpted 3D printed prostheses, and the last, where I worked in a toy company developing animation and games. As of today, I have accumulated 14 years as an artist and 7 years in leadership roles.
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Q: And with all of that, how did you end up working for VOLTA?
David: Back in 2017, shortly after I arrived in Canada, I began working as a Freelancer for VOLTA on a project called Paladins. It started as a one-week contract which then turned into a month-long, then 3 months, and eventually, I got an offer for a permanent position as a 3D Artist.
Since then, I got to work with amazing artists on big titles such as Devil May Cry, For Honor, Call of Duty, and many more! I switched into a leadership positions in 2021 and couldn’t be happier working with such an amazing team! Not only within the 3D department but also by seeing the amazing art being produced by the Concept and Marketing teams at Volta.
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Q: Impressive! Thank you for sharing a bit of your story with us. As an Art Director, how are you able to maintain a balance between creativity and meeting project requirements?
David: I believe that everything is determined by how well the briefing is made. Constraints don’t curb creativity, and they can actually be catalysts for ideation if presented properly. They can be a huge help in providing the context and framing the decision-making.
However, it’s a completely different story, and it can even be crippling when the information is not there from the start. This is when the constraints and dead ends arrive as curveballs, blocking the project development.
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Q: Speaking of dead ends which any artists eventually encounter. What is your solution to handle those challenges and creative blocks during a project?
David: The two most important things for me are process and teamwork. Process means searching for references, revisiting the brief, and checking similar work. All these things essentially mean that you are hunting for a solution, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike..
Additionally, you are rarely alone in a project, and having the support of colleagues, lead artists, and ADs should be seen as a privilege, not a weakness.
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Q: What do you think are the biggest challenges for a 3D artist, and how can one overcome them?
David: One of the biggest challenges, I’d say, is trying to stay updated on the technical front. Part of why it’s hard is to be able to filter what is relevant specifically for you. The objective is to be more efficient and free, so instead of being overwhelmed with constant novelty, it’s better to focus on production and concentrate on what can really make a difference for your own work.
Another risk is to forget that 3D is simply a medium. Good 3D work is not only good 3D execution but also good design, storytelling, style, and presentation. I personally feel that all of these are much better motivation for growth than simply mastering the technique.
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Q: You talked about staying updated. How do you continue to grow and develop your skills as an artist?
David: My favorite exercises would be to either execute quick sketches of a complete character or longer studies of a small section. This is very efficient for constant practice. Embarking on longer projects is also important, and I often use them to practice design, drawing, and painting, fashion, etc.
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Q: Closing this interview with one last question. What advice do you have for aspiring artists looking to enter the entertainment industry? Is there something you wish you knew when you were starting your career?
David: Attention to detail and polished work goes a long, long way! Make sure you remove bad or average work from your portfolio as you make better pieces. The hiring ADs will be looking to see if you have a good understanding of what looks good or not. All of this communicates that you care about quality, and you will be reliable on a project.
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Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions David, it’s never easy to be the first one to jump into new things! And to our awesome readers, we hope you have learned something from David’s journey. Stay tuned for the next one and see you soon!
– Team VOLTA
