We were lucky to catch up with Ruchi Sanjay Hendre recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ruchi Sanjay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Coming to the US in 2019, with no idea about the computer graphics and animation industries was I think the biggest risk that I took, I decided to follow my passion. I realised that I would not be happy just letting things be as they are, so even though pursuing a Master’s in the US is an expensive undertaking I decided to give it a go and invested in myself.

I think that’s the best decision I have made in my life so far :)

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Yes, sure. I have a background in software development and I was working in FinTech, but I always had an inclination towards the arts. I used to enjoy sketching, painting, and watching anime since I was a kid. So, in 2019, I switched gears and pursued my Master’s in Entertainment Technology from Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center.

Here, I learned the ins and outs of 3D art, animation, and gaming engines. Now, I work as a Technical Artist in the games industry, where I help animators by creating skeletons and rigs for the weapons and characters in the game. My other tasks include troubleshooting gaming engine issues and writing tools for the game pipeline and DCCs (Digital Content Creation tools).

Apart from this, I continuously strive to learn more about 3D animation through classes, workshops, and freelance work.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is the work itself. I am still fairly new to the job and learning as I go, but not being too attached to the outcome and thriving in the process is what I have learned through my career path.

Creativity is also a natural stress buster, so sometimes doing a project not for achieving something but just to get immersed in it, having that skill set to create something from scratch is deeply rewarding.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I believe family and friends can sometimes be judgmental towards those pursuing a creative path. I’ve encountered a lot of discouragement from my inner circle, with concerns about finding a job, earning decent pay, or doubts about my capabilities. However, I’ve learned that sometimes you have to follow your own path, and once the results start to show, people often come around.

As an artist, I think the company you keep is crucial. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who understand your journey or share similar aspirations. Ultimately, it’s essential to believe in yourself and remind yourself why you’re pursuing this path.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ruchihendreart.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_animates/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchi-hendre-518028b8/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4p_bKbZkV3g7JgPWL07XSw