We recently connected with Miloni Shah and have shared our conversation below.
Miloni, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
I believe in giving without expecting anything in return. If we always think about “what benefits us” when helping others, we can never achieve true peace in this world. Humanity is already facing immense challenges, so what’s the point of keeping everything to oneself?
I absolutely love helping people and believe in giving everything I have to offer, whether it’s a little or a lot. I learned this trait from my family, especially my parents. I’ve never seen them being selfish, particularly towards those less privileged than us. Witnessing their generosity keeps me grounded and reminds me that life isn’t just about what you can gain but about spreading love and joy as much as possible.
This mindset also inspired me to volunteer for Women in Animation (WIA), a non-profit organization helping people in the industry network and grow both as artists and individuals. I love being a mentor here because it’s about being there for someone as a guiding factor! Being a mentor helps me push myself so I can set a good example for my students. At the same time, I remind them that they aren’t alone in their journey, which can help them feel less overwhelmed as new upcoming artists trying to navigate their way into the animation industry. I believe that generosity is the best thing humans can do to create a better world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a 3D Character Animator originally from India. My interest in animation grew when I discovered the art of illusion. Bringing characters to life on screen made me feel like I could narrate the rich stories I’ve gathered, translating them into motion, behavior, and emotion. Storytelling through artistic expression drives me towards my ambitious goals and the places I aspire to work at.
I have been fortunate enough to work on some incredible games such as NBA 2K23, Midnight Suns, Kerbal Space Program 2, Fortnite Cinematics, and a few more unannounced AAA titles. My love for animation has always helped me seize great opportunities. Although I initially wanted to work in films, my experience in these games has broadened my perspective on the gaming industry and deepened my passion for animation.
NBA 2K23 was the first AAA game project I ever worked on, and I still get goosebumps talking about it. Studying basketball players, learning their character traits, and expressing them through emotion and behavior was the best “first project” I could ask for. This experience was particularly intense for me, as I was quite nervous, but having a great team helped me animate with peace of mind while learning more about the craft. This foundation boosted my confidence for the rest of the projects I worked on. Each project was unique and equally thrilling due to the different styles and techniques used in the games.
Each game I’ve worked on has taught me a lot, not just about animation, but about life. Working on such significant projects has kept me grounded and more humble than ever. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities to work on these big games, which drive me to continually upgrade my skills and pursue more such projects. I feel proud of my contributions and even more excited about animating in games.
I have also loved technology since I was young, so discovering art in the gaming industry has been thrilling for me. It’s a perfect blend of tech and art, allowing me to explore various technical skills while maintaining my passion for storytelling and performance. I believe I wouldn’t have felt this way without the opportunities I’ve had working in games.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
“Passion. Resilience. Discipline.”
These are the three qualities that define me as an artist today. I am extremely passionate about animation, which is a fundamental part of who I am. The more I learn about animation and ideate stories, the more excited I get. I look forward to waking up and diving into fun projects, making Mondays my “funtime” compared to weekends.
My passion has fueled my resilience. The art industry is challenging and uncertain, but my love for what I do has taught me to embrace that uncertainty. I am still learning to be okay with the unpredictable nature of this field, and it has helped me persevere even when things don’t go as planned. Every setback strengthens my resolve, making me more resilient in my animation career.
This resilience, in turn, has instilled discipline in me. When things are unclear, discipline and consistency have guided me. With so much uncertainty, worrying about “what could happen” can diminish my passion. Instead, I focus on what I can control, helping me stay disciplined and achieve my goals.
Discovering my love for animation was the best thing that happened to me. Everything fell into place when I found my passion for my work. To achieve your goals, you need to be passionate about what you do. Growth comes from feeling intensely about your pursuits, and I encourage everyone to pursue their passions. It leads to a deeper sense of success, both internally and externally.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors, friends, and family members to rely on when things get tough. Reading books and watching motivational content online have also been helpful. However, none of these seem to work for me in the long run. They provide temporary motivation, but that feeling doesn’t last forever. So why depend solely on them? The best support comes from within.
During challenging times, external support can be invaluable, but much of the journey depends on our own efforts. While others can encourage and motivate us, it’s up to us to take the first step forward. True success stems from self-belief. Although success is often overrated according to me, achieving a goal may bring a sense of accomplishment, but my ambitions are endless. So, how do you define success? For me, it’s about continuously revising priorities, pushing through obstacles, and believing in oneself without fixating on a specific outcome. This mindset has become my true measure of success. Whenever a plan fails, I remind myself that the harder I fall, the faster I learn to rise again. This perspective drives me to limits I sometimes can’t even imagine!
In my opinion, life is the greatest mentor one can have, and I am grateful for the opportunity to experience it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.milonishah.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishahanimations/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milonishah4/
Image Credits
Most of these These images are from the games I got a chance to work on, they aren’t artworks created by me.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
