We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mahima Pundir a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mahima , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creative juices flowing by mixing things up – trying out new tools and techniques keeps things interesting. I’m always on the lookout for inspiration – whether it’s from a cool movie, a walk in nature, or just scrolling through Instagram. I’m a curious cat, always asking questions and exploring new ideas. Continuous learning and expanding my knowledge base fuel my imagination and help me think outside the box.
Collaborating with other artists is a blast too. Brainstorming with a buddy can lead to some wild creations! Challenging myself with techinacal stuff, setting little goals or jumping into fun and crazy projects keeps me on my toes. And you’ll always catch me with small backpack. It’s like my creative piggybank where anything goes.
Oh, and failure? It’s just part of the game. I learn from my mistakes and keep pushing forward.
But hey, it’s not all work! Finding that balance between hustling and chilling is key. And every now and then, I take a step back to see how I can level up my game. I’m not afraid to take a breather when I need it. Stepping back and chilling out helps me come back with fresh ideas and full energy.
That’s how I keep the creative fire burning!”
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m thrilled to share my story with you! I may seem like your average girl-next-door, but my journey into animation is a bit unconventional. You see, I’ve always been fascinated with toys since I was a kid. But instead of just playing with them like most children, I had a knack for taking them apart and turning them into puzzles until they became an unsolvable.
It wasn’t until my mom introduced me to “Toy Story” during my chaotic junior high days that everything changed. Watching those animated toys come to life on screen was both mesmerizing and terrifying. It sparked a love for cartoons within me that eventually overcame my fear of toys.
Despite initially veering towards a career in finance due to financial constraints, the movie “Tangled” inspired me to pursue my passion for animation. Its message of embracing one’s true self resonated deeply with me, leading me to take a leap of faith and switch gears.
With unwavering support from my family, I dove headfirst into the world of animation. But my journey didn’t stop there. You see, I was a massive fan of Barbie movies, and I’d save up every bit of my pocket money to buy those DVDs. I’d stare in awe at those simple dresses magically transforming into glitzy gowns on screen. My fascination with their magical transformations fueled my interest in technical animation. Little did I know that there was an incredible team of artists like myself bring them to life through technical wizardry.. It wasn’t until I pursued my studies in animation and chose technical animation as my career path, And that is somewhat shorter version of my adventure.
As technical animator I am responsible for creating digital skeletons (rigs) for animated characters and objects in 3D, setting up simulations for effects like cloth and hair, developing animation tools, and troubleshooting technical issues to ensure smooth integration within the production pipeline. We combine artistic creativity with technical expertise to bring characters and objects to life in animation. (it’s very technical right, to explain simply i make pretty cloth and hair for cartoon characters)
So here I am, living my dream as a technical animator, combining my love for cartoons with the magic of technical artistry. And who knows what adventures lie ahead? I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things really made a difference for me:
Taking Risks and Chasing Dreams: I had to take some big leaps to get into animation. It was scary, but man, was it worth it! My advice? Don’t let fear hold you back. Trust your gut and go after what you love, find what you passionate about, and go for it, even if it means stepping into the unknown. And hey, Surround yourself with people who believe in you and cheer you on.
Always Learning and Rolling with the Punches: Animation is always changing, it’s
a very dynamic industry so I had to stay flexible and keep learning new stuff. Whether it’s picking up new skills, learning new software or staying on top of the latest trends, staying curious is key. And when things don’t go as planned (which happens a lot), just roll with it. Every setback is a chance to learn and grow.
Never Giving Up: There were times when I felt like flipping the chess board ( you are cheating i not am playing it anymore haha), but I kept pushing forward. Persistence is everything in this game. Stay focused on your goals, even when it feels like you’re hitting walls. Keep grinding, keep hustling, and eventually, you’ll break through.
For those just starting out:
Find Your Passion: Explore different interests and figure out what lights a fire in your belly. Once you find it, go all in.
Learn, Learn, Learn: Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow, whether it’s through classes, online tutorials, or just diving in and figuring things out as you go.
Don’t Give Up: It’s easy to get discouraged, but try to focus on the good stuff. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and keep you motivated. Find mentors, friends, or a community who have your back and can offer advice and encouragement when you need it most.
Take Risks & Stay Curious: Don’t be afraid to take chances and try new things. You never know what might lead to your next big breakthrough. The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities will come your way.
Have Fun with It: At the end of the day, this stuff is supposed to be fun! So don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
With a mix of passion, persistence, willingness to learn, and a little bit of luck, you can do anything you set your mind to. So go out there and make some magic happen!
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
…..So, when overwhelm hits, I’ve got a few go-to moves to help me shake it off. First up, I’ll usually take a breather. Maybe I’ll go for a walk, do some physical activity to maybe paly some basketball( i am good at it, i used to play for my university hehe) or maybe blast some Bollywood music, or cook some crazy spicy Indian dish or just veg out for a bit. Sometimes, you just got to give your brain a break, ya know?
Then, I’ll try to tackle things one step at a time. Making a to-do list and breaking it down into bite-sized chunks helps me wrap my head around what needs to get done without feeling like I’m drowning in tasks.
If I’m still feeling swamped, I’m not afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s rallying the troops at work or calling up a buddy for a pep talk, having people in your corner can make all the difference. you know Teamwork is essential – it allows you to blame someone else (hehehe evil mahi).
And hey, self-care is key! Making sure I’m getting enough sleep, eating decently, and taking time to do stuff I enjoy helps keep me from totally losing it when life gets crazy. Last but not least, I try to keep things in perspective. Nobody’s perfect, and it’s okay to not have it all together 24/7. As long as I’m doing my best, that’s all that matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mahimapundir30.wixsite.com/ceoistrush
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoist.rush?igsh=MW90YnIzZjB6NmR5aw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahima-pundir-2b644a191
- Other: writetoomahi@gmail.com ..my second personal email in case anyone want’s to reach to me .
