Rachael Dunk
Within weeks of graduating from mad academy, Rachael moved to sydney to take up a position as 3d artist for one of Australia's most respected Design Visualisation studios, namely Ivolve Studiosand is now at Sydney's Cream Studios involved in high-end photographic retouching and 3D-imaging,

CV: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaeldunk 
Website:  http://rachaeldunk.carbonmade.com/

What was your career path prior to 3d and visual effects if there was one?
Prior to 3d I was Studying a Bachelor of Architecture at UniSA and Teaching Piano.

What inspired you to change direction if at all?
I started learning Autodesk Viz at Uni to aid in presentation of my designs. It quickly became my favourite subject. I began to realise  that when  I finished my 5 year degree that this was what I would end up wanting to do rather than becoming an architect, so I figured I would try to  cut straight to a career in 3D.

What was your first production experience after graduating from mad, and how did you find it?
My first experience was actually while still at MAD, I contracted some  work from Connell Wagner to do Pre Viz images of the Bakewell Underpass that was being built in SA.
Finding the job was easy! Connell Wagner actually contacted MAD academy asking if they had anyone who could perform the work and my lecturer at MAD suggested me for the job. I sent through some images and they hired me, just like that.  
             
Since then, where else have you been working?
Since then I have worked doing Arch Viz and Product Viz both for companies like Ivolve Studios and on my own,  freelancing.  Currently I am working for a retouching and 3d company, Cream Studios, doing advertising and illustration. Its a great job. I still do freelance work on the side too.

What sort of work does the company do?
We are a company that incorporates re-touching and 3d for advertising campaigns and also illustration for magazines etc.

What is your role there?
3D Generalist. My role is to get the result the art director wants in any way possible. This means using any available software and techniques to get the job done. Its a great job as I get plenty of opportunity to do research and development, problem solve and learn new techniques.

Did you find it easy to find work once you had graduated?
Yes, very. With passion, determination and the talent to back it up. You can do anything.

3D has been stereotyped as a predominantly male orientated industry in the past, do you find that is still the case or are times finally changing?
It is definitely still a predominately male industry, but that doesn’t bother me, haha! Although there are not many women in the industry yet, the few I have come across are amazingly talented artists. It is no harder to be a woman than a man in this industry, if you can demonstrate you have the talent, then you will get hired.
 There are plenty of women around though, especially on the production side of jobs, there just aren't many that are doing 3D, yet. I think there is a misconception about 3D being all technical, rather than a balance between technical and artistic and perhaps that turns a lot of women off.
It is still a very young industry and of course as it becomes better recognised as a serious career path, both sexes will even out.

Your Demo Reel advice?
Keep it short, clean, simple and only include your best work. Do not send a demo reel to anyone without including a shot breakdown, its really frustrating to have to fish for that sort of information from applicants.

What qualities and strengths do you think make a good animation artist?
Passion, determination and talent.

What words of advice would you give someone looking to invest in a mad academy* 3D Animator’s course?
100% percent commitment. You only get out of it what you put into it.

What’s your average week like?
An average week will start with my boss coming over to my desk to show me some sketches from an art director and explain what they would like. I then spend some time working out exactly what needs to be done and how to get there, this can be anything from making a list and referencing images, to playing around with some new plug-in or trial and error. Then I tell my boss how long it will take so he can quote the client accordingly.
Next I will produce some test renders to send to the client who will send back comments and suggestions, there can be a few rounds of these mark-ups. Then I will produce the final render which will then go to one of our retouchers and finally back to the art director and client.

Is it challenging and rewarding work?
Definitely. Each day brings a new challenge and I love that I get the opportunity to have creative input on jobs.

What does your future hold?
Polygons.

What qualities/strengths make a good 3d visualisation artist in your field?
Attention to detail. We work to very high resolutions so models have to be perfect.

What words of advice would you give someone looking to enter into your particular field of visualisation?
If you want to get a job doing high end visualization like this you need to have great attention to detail, be a true 3D all-rounder and have some sexy work to show for it.

Why did you choose mad academy*?
It was financially viable and the previous graduates had had a lot of success.

Do you think that your mad academy training was useful?
Absolutely. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

What do you remember most about mad academy?
I remember it being so much fun. I barely slept because I was working so hard but I enjoyed every second of it. Everyone is passionate and have the same interests, its such a creative environment.

Did you start your mad academy* course with a specific goal, or did you find unexpected interests and opportunities?
Yes I wanted to do Arch Viz because I had experience with that and I am passionate about architecture but I also thought I might like to try my hand at games. Once I discovered how much I love high poly modeling and working to high resolutions though, I realised I'd be better suited to Visualization.

Where would you like to take your career next?
I'm pretty happy to keep on with what I am doing at the moment. There is plenty of opportunity for learning and growth. I've had the chance to work with some pretty big name clients and on some very fun projects. Most importantly though, I'm happy.

What inspires your work?
Form, shape, colour, light, space and movement.