We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Simar Singh Sethi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Simar below.

Simar , appreciate you joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

The first time I earned money from my creative work was in November 2023. I was still at SCAD, finishing my BFA in Visual Effects, and doing freelance work on the side. My first client was a good friend who owned a clothing brand, and he asked me to create a 3D advertisement for Instagram. It wasn’t a huge project, but the idea of making money through my art was exciting—I felt like I was finally stepping into the real world as a creator.

But just a week after starting, my dad was hospitalized. It was the hardest time of my life. I completely lost the motivation to work because all I could think about was his health. My friend was incredibly understanding and told me not to worry about the deadline—just to finish the project when I could. That kind of support meant a lot.

After many sleepless nights, my dad finally started recovering. When he asked me how my work was going, I told him I hadn’t touched it. His response? He scolded me. He reminded me that I needed to keep going no matter what. That moment changed everything for me.

Even though I ended up delivering the project a week and two days late, I still completed it—for him. My payment wasn’t money, but a T-shirt and a hat from my friend’s brand, and honestly, that felt just as valuable. That experience taught me that being an artist isn’t just about talent—it’s about pushing through challenges and breaking the limits we set in our minds. And that’s something my dad always believed in.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Simar Singh Sethi, and I am a VFX artist. Like many others, I grew up watching incredible movies and animations, but my love for VFX goes beyond that. Ever since I was a kid, I was always telling stories—sometimes to the point of exhausting my family with all the wild fictional tales I made up. For me, every day was like living in a superhero story, where I could have a new superpower whenever I wanted. A child’s imagination has no limits, and I embraced that.

One of my earliest creative memories was putting on a puppet show for my grandmother. She meant everything to me, and even after she passed, she continues to be my biggest source of motivation. I still remember how amazed she was by the elaborate story I had created—about a talking donkey that could swim and a deaf shark that could walk on land. That was probably the first time I realized how much I loved storytelling and bringing ideas to life.

Today, I work as a 3D generalist and multimedia specialist. My expertise lies in compositing, 3D modeling, texturing, and cinematography. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of clients—from clothing brands and musicians to steel manufacturing companies, event organizers, and educational institutions. Many of them come to me looking for unique ways to advertise their products and services, and 3D/motion graphics provide an ideal solution for making their brand stand out.

I believe what makes my work unique is that I don’t limit myself to one particular style. Every project I take on has a different visual feel, and I make sure each one is eye-catching and engaging. I also love pushing creative and technical boundaries—whether it’s experimenting with different cinematography techniques or blending 3D with live-action in new ways.

I stay ahead of trends by constantly learning and challenging myself. VFX and 3D art are always evolving, and I make sure to keep up with new tools and techniques. I believe that to grow as an artist, you have to step out of your comfort zone and take on projects that challenge your skills.

One of my proudest achievements is being able to turn my passion into a career. Every project I complete, whether big or small, is a reminder that I get to do what I love for a living.

The message I want to share with clients and followers is simple: Creativity has no limits. If you can imagine something, you can create it. That’s what I strive to do with my work—bring ideas to life in a way that captures attention and tells a story.

As for the future, I want to continue growing as an artist, working on even bigger projects and expanding into new areas of visual storytelling. Whether it’s high-end commercials, film VFX, or experimental 3D animation, I want to keep pushing myself to create work that stands out.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to bring ideas to life—taking something that only exists in my mind and turning it into something real that others can see and experience. There’s something incredible about watching a concept evolve from a rough sketch or thought into a fully realized piece of art.

Another thing that makes this journey fulfilling is the impact it can have on people. Whether it’s creating a 3D animation that helps a brand stand out, crafting a cinematic scene that tells a compelling story, or even designing something that simply makes someone stop and appreciate the visuals, knowing that my work resonates with others is a feeling like no other.

On a more personal level, being an artist allows me to constantly challenge myself. There’s always something new to learn, new techniques to explore, and new boundaries to push. The process of improving with every project keeps things exciting and never stagnant.

At the end of the day, the most rewarding thing is that I get to do what I love—turning creativity into something tangible and meaningful.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Online Learning – CGMA, Gnomon, Rebelway, and YouTube channels like FlippedNormals and Ian Hubert offer top-tier tutorials.

Community & Networking – Blender Artists, Polycount, and Houdini Discord for problem-solving and feedback.

Asset Libraries – Quixel Megascans, Sketchfab, and TurboSquid save time and enhance realism.

Workflow Tools – PureRef for organizing references and Notion/Trello for managing projects efficiently.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simarsinghsethi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simar_singh_sethi_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simar-singh-sethi-a9912b16b/