Artist Spotlight w/ Urja Vakta
Nov 14, 2023
First, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Urja Vakta is a multimedia designer based in New York. Her body of work focuses on optimistic and dynamic 3D characters and worlds infused with 2D silliness. Each character and world is viewed through an exaggerated camera angle, and filled with vibrant colors to build surreal and whimsical visuals. She has developed pieces for GIPHY, YouTube, Bimba Y Lola, Jimmy Jazz and many other clients. She is a featured artist on GIPHY with over 115 million views. Her animated shorts have been featured on Roku TV, Animation Block Party, Feminist Border Arts Film Festival. In her free time you will find her propagating plants and watching cartoons.
My ultimate project vision is a dynamic fusion of creativity and technology, uniting diverse talents to craft an immersive experience that transcends boundaries.
Can you tell us about your experience and the role you are primarily filling?
As a Motion Designer with a rich background, I've demonstrated expertise in crafting captivating visual experiences and animations across various platforms. From directing a successful 3D ad campaign for a cocktail start-up to designing XR games and creating engaging GIFs, my experience aligns seamlessly with the Motion Designer position.
Experience Highlights:
Mother's Milk, NYC (May 2023): Directed and animated a dynamic 3D motion graphics ad campaign, contributing to a successful product launch and positive customer engagement.
Giphy, NYC (Jan 2023): Designed XR games and created compelling 2D/3D GIFs, supported by a comprehensive case study exploring technology and digital experiences.
Bimba Y Lola, Remote (May 2022): Conceptualized and created a captivating women's day campaign, showcasing unique art practices and resonating with the target audience.
YouTube, NYC (Jul 2021): Illustrated for AAPI heritage month, highlighting cultural awareness and visual storytelling.
Giphy, NYC (Jun 2021): Directed and animated a short film featured on Roku TV, merging visual storytelling and sound design for broader audience reach.
My varied experiences reflect my ability to create visually appealing content while conveying brand messages effectively.
If you could speak directly to the resourcing gods and powers that be, what would be your ideal project?
Dear Resourcing Gods and Powers That Be…
My ultimate project vision is a dynamic fusion of creativity and technology, uniting diverse talents to craft an immersive experience that transcends boundaries. This venture would push the envelope, blending innovative technologies with compelling narratives to spark conversations and evoke emotions. Through seamless collaboration, we'd create a lasting impact, not only in the creative realm but also by contributing meaningfully to the world.
Do you have any dream clients?
My dream client would be Pepsi. I would love to create a thirst quenching ad for them!
Lastly, do you have any memorable stories, life lessons, or tall tales you can share from your adventures as a freelancer?
Freelancing? It's like riding a roller coaster with a twist. Picture this: you're on this wild ride working on super cool gigs, teaming up with all sorts of pros, and just having a blast. But wait, there's more! You're also the one-person show, making all the big calls, planning your moves, and doing the tax tango – yes, the thrilling world of adulting hits you hard. So, it's a mix of high-fives for nailing projects and a few facepalms for being your own boss, all wrapped up in one crazy ride.
View
Urja's
profile on Rolo
