Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ankita Panda. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ankita, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
My source of confidence comes from trusting myself to always do my best, no matter what I choose to do.
From a young age, my parents, teachers, and friends always held me to high standards. If I was taking a math test, I had to get an A. If I was playing a sport, I had to make the finals. If I was in an art competition, I had to win. I learned very early on that being mediocre was not acceptable in a world that values excellence. While we all know Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to summit Mount Everest, only a few remember who came in second.
Growing up in India, surrounded by people who always encouraged me to aim higher than what I thought was possible has inevitably given me confidence in my abilities. This led me to pursue a career in film and design as my next challenge. Getting into USC on a fellowship – one of the best cinematic art schools – amplified my confidence and motivated me to work even harder to match the high standards set by my talented peers and faculty there.
Lastly, I make a conscious effort to be around highly capable and similar-minded people, whether at work or elsewhere. As they say, ‘You are the company you keep’ – and while this circle boosts my self-esteem, it also reminds me to stay humble, knowing that many others are working just as hard, if not harder, to excel in their chosen fields. While maintaining a sense of self-confidence is crucial, staying grounded in my roots and where I come from is equally important to me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a Motion Director and Designer based in Los Angeles, specializing in 2D and 3D media design and editing for various platforms like commercials, social media, live events, and projections. I am fascinated by the sustained exploration and innovation in design that can be achieved by combining animation with mathematical progressions and sound. Experimenting with common elements across these fields such as geometry, symmetry, repeating patterns and looping cycles has become an integral part of my work.
My creative journey began in 2014 in the animation film and TV industry in Mumbai. In 2017, I relocated to LA, gradually building a career in animation design and direction, collaborating with diverse companies and clients. Some notable projects include the HBO Max docuseries “Heaven’s Gate,” multiple projection shows for the Getty Museum and Villa, directing an opera with New Opera West, and creating an animated title sequence for Hulu’s show “Up Here.”
I had the opportunity to produce a film called “Pause, Play, Repeat” through the Fox fellowship, which has been screened at several international festivals. This led me to teach a University-level motion design class at Cal Poly. During my tenure at MediaMonks, I spent two years designing motion as part of a dedicated team for a global creative client. Additionally, I ran an online store called BLANK_IT, selling my artwork on sustainable, recycled cotton blankets.
Currently, I hold the position of Senior Motion Designer at Xbox.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Qualities that I think were the most impactful in my journey (and still are) –
1. Quick learning abilities – In the fast-paced, ever-changing digital media world, it’s important to grasp concepts quickly and apply them effectively for innovative solutions.
2. Communication/people skills – Effective communication and people skills are essential, especially because most creative projects are collaborative. Working with others demands strong interpersonal abilities. No one enjoys working with a ‘difficult’ person.
3. Do not compromise on quality – Maintaining high standards of quality has been a principle throughout my journey, whether it’s a design project or a product from BLANK_IT. I believe in taking calculated risks to achieve optimal quality and efficiency.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
All the Harry Potter books! I grew up with them and there are so many little nuggets of wisdom. These are some of my favourites –
“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” — Dumbledore
“Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.” ― Luna Lovegood’
“Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” – Dumbledore
“It is the quality of one’s convictions that determines success, not the number of followers.” —Remus Lupin
“Do not pity the dead. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.” ― Albus Dumbledore
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ankitapanda.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ankitap1994/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankita-panda-421022143/
Image Credits
Image 1: The Getty Museum, Michael Patterson Image 4: State design Image 5: Yu+Co
