Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rebecka Petersson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Rebecka, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I was 12 years old when my art teacher at the time gave me a brochure about animation. It was as if a lightning struck me with the sense of ‘THIS is what I want to do’. Looking back, there are many reasons for why I felt that at the time. I loved animated films, partly because they held me company when I was scared to be home alone. They were also, in some ways, like a friend to me when I felt alone. When I found out that people were making these films, I knew it was what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a part of making more of these films that had kept me company when I flet alone, brought me joy when I was sad, and made me feel safe when I was scared.
I also read somewhere that “In some sense, purpose is an act of the imagination.” I think that I was searching for some new kind of purpose at the same time that I first found out about what animation was, and by seeing the purpose in the lives of the artists that I had started to idolize, in some ways I started seeing it in my life as well. And the more I learned about animation and storytelling, the more I knew it was what I wanted to do. It never disappointed me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an Visual Development Artist & Set Designer, working in animation. I am originally from Jönköping, Sweden, and moved to San Francisco in 2015. I have spent the last few years working as a Set Designer & Visual Development Artist, and periodically as a Layout & Background designer. I have worked in both feature film and in TV, and enjoy the mix of 2D & 3D as it keeps things interesting and solves problems quickly. My favorite part of the job is seeing the other artists’ work during dailies (dailies is a daily meeting we have where we go over everyones work with the production designer/art director, and sometimes the director/s). I also really enjoy the process of coming up with personality in each set and artwork that I am working on. I love delving into the mind of whoever is living in a space, and making it unique by the usage of personality. I also love the downtimes, such as lunch or coffee breaks when I get to talk to my coworkers, and sometimes we do life drawings together. When I am not socializing with coworkers, I always go out for a walk to the local café where I can sip on a coffee while I write on personal projects.
The first film/professional projects that I worked on is now announced and will be available on Netflix in 2024. It is called ‘In Your Dreams’ and is an animated feature film made by Kuku Studios. It was such a joy to be a part of and truly was the most wonderful first professional experience a young artist could have asked for. I will be forever grateful for having been able to work with some of the best storytellers and artists at such an early stage in my career, and am looking forward to seeing the film when it is released.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Being a good draftsman (knowing the basics such as good value structure, figure drawing, perspective) and then having good taste! The latter is something I wish people spoke to me about sooner. Taste is what informs style and your decision-making as an artist. To improve taste, exposure is so important. For way too long, I only looked at art made by artists in my field, most of them still quite young. It is important to expose yourself to the masters and learn from them- go to museums. But also to look at established artists outside your own field, at interior designers, sculptors, fine artists, architects, etc. The third quality is simply being a good and kind person along with an ability to take notes/critiques. If you are easy to work with and someone people enjoy working with, that will take you a long way.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
During my free time, I write quite a bit. I am working on a novel and on two other projects. I am not so much looking for people to collaborate or partner with, but I would love to connect with other writers to get together with and talk about the writing process, tools that they have used, and for general inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rebeckapetersson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rvpetersson/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecka-petersson/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rvpetersson
