Meet Nikki Behjat

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nikki Behjat. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nikki, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I definitely get my resilience from my parents and from my extended family members. My parents left Iran at a young age and worked hard to support their parents, siblings, and themselves. I remember also watching them put in long hours to provide for me and my sister. Resilience runs in our family, as I also see how hard my extended family works and what they do for one another. I admire that dedication and strive to embody it myself.

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’m an illustrator, animator, and filmmaker who often incorporates my Iranian heritage and religious identity into my work. I have been creating animated films since I was 17, and I have loved the animation process ever since!

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?

That’s a great question! I believe the three skills that have really helped me are determination, curiosity, and excitement. I’m someone who is committed to finishing a project once I start it, no matter how long it takes. I also enjoy challenging myself with each project to see how I can improve, whether it’s the backgrounds, compositing, sound design, or even the animation itself. I also always find something exciting about the project that keeps me motivated. It could be who I’m collaborating with, a particular scene I’m excited to animate, or even the satisfaction of completing the film!

For those who want to start making an animated film, don’t be afraid to take the leap! There is always something to learn from each project you work on! I also recommend taking as many classes as possible to develop your skills, whether it’s in animation, visual development, storyboarding, character design, or any other area. You can even utilize a ton of free resources available online!

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past year, I believe my biggest area of growth has been in becoming more grateful and optimistic. 2024 was significant for me creatively, as I had to finish my thesis film and figure out life after graduation, which has definitely been a challenge. A major change I’ve made is starting to journal monthly and watch more motivational and inspirational videos to help me stay optimistic and appreciate where I am right now, and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead!

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