Meet Aroona Khiani

We recently connected with Aroona Khiani and have shared our conversation below.

Aroona, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My childhood passion was art. I always carried a pencil and a few scraps of paper with me, and if you couldn’t find me, more often than not I had my nose buried in a sketchbook hidden away at a quiet spot. Drawing was the best way to express how I perceived the world. I was captivated by animated movies, spending countless hours sketching characters from my favorite films and crafting stories within those universes. This love for storytelling and drawing led me to study animation in college. Through each assignment, I discovered the excitement of creating through curiosity and bringing ideas to life. After graduating, I have worked at studios like Titmouse, Bento Box and Wildbrain, and continue to learn and grow through every experience. My love for creating characters that resonate emotionally and visually solidifies my purpose in bringing imagination to life through animation and character design.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a Character Designer in the animation industry, I bring imagination to life through visual storytelling. My work involves sketching and developing the visual style of characters, translating details like their personalities, emotions and physical appearance to the audience. Each design involves a blend of artistic skill, creativity, and understanding of narrative, aiming to capture personalities and evoke compelling stories through visuals.

The most exciting aspect of my job is the opportunity to see my drawings evolve from simple sketches into fully animated beings that audiences can connect with. The thrill of watching a character I designed come alive on screen and resonate with viewers is unparalleled. It’s also very special to collaborate with a team of talented artists bringing their own expertise to the table. The opportunity to contribute to projects that entertain, inspire, and connect with people across diverse audiences is deeply fulfilling.

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?

Throughout my journey, I continue to learn and grow as an artist and career professional. I look for creativity and inspiration in the most unexpected of places, aim to adapt to any situation, and prioritise collaboration.

Creativity is a fundamental part of any artistic endeavour, but ensuring that you pull from unique and personal sources will help you stand out and make your work resonate with those that appreciate specificity. Compelling stories are about regular people doing extraordinary things. Finding the person behind the plot is vital and practicing that skill by pulling from sources that you feel a connection to will help your work stand out. One of my favourite places to return to for inspiration is my culture. By observing the way people around me behave and the familiar design language that is inherent to culturally specific scenarios, I am able to design while keeping very real characteristics and quirks in mind, adding another layer of depth to my work.

The nature of my work changes based on project needs. Being adaptable allows me to adjust my course and complete each assignment to the best of my ability, all while learning from my new situation. If an assignment comes in with a high priority or a submitted work comes back from review with notes, I am able to shift my focus and adjust according to the specifications. This allows me to maintain momentum during my work day.

Lastly, collaboration is a part of every project. Exchanging ideas and building off of each other’s feedback is an important part of the creative process. Being a team player and communicating effectively is a great way to help your project run smoothly.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel creatively overwhelmed and burnt out, I find it helpful to step back. Taking a break and getting back to the basics with fundamental exercises gives me a fresh perspective on the issue at hand. I try to establish a consistent practice schedule to hone my skills regularly as routine can help maintain momentum. I also like to look for inspiration while living life. Something as simple as getting out of the house for a coffee run, or as exciting as attending a theatre production can really help refresh your thoughts and introduce new sources of creativity. Exposure to different art forms and perspectives enriches my creative toolkit and fuels innovation in my own work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aroonakhiani.portfoliobox.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroonescape/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aroonakhiani/