911±¬ÁÏÍø

Meet former 911±¬ÁÏÍø student Kate Porteous

Hometown: Kelowna, BC
Program: Animation Diploma - 2023

How did you become interested in animation? What inspired you? 
I always loved to watch cartoons and animated movies, but I didn’t look any further into it until I was graduating. I was an art kid in high school. I wanted to continue my passion for art so I looked at my options, animation being one of them. After doing some research, I discovered that there were a lot of other fields in the animation industry that I was unaware of, such as Storyboarding, Character Design, and Layout & Design to name a few. I decided to give the animation program a try and I’m so grateful that I did! 

What are some of the reasons you choose 911±¬ÁÏÍø to pursue your studies? What year did you graduate from 911±¬ÁÏÍø? 
As I said earlier, I went into the animation industry because of all the different artistic fields it has. 911±¬ÁÏÍø provides education in a bunch of these different areas, such as 2D & 3D Animation, Character Design, 2D Rigging, Layout & Design, and touches on a few other areas. The program gives you a well rounded education that allows you to hone in on your field of interest. 

What specific projects have you been a part of in the animation industry? 
I do freelance work for the YouTube channel . The projects I have worked on are: 

• Kanye West vs. Kanye East
• Harry Potter | Accio Parents
• The Last of Us 2 | Ellie’s Secret Weapon
• Every Patient on My 600-lb Life  

Can you share where you’re working now and your current role? 
I currently have two jobs: I’m an administrative assistant working at a Group Benefits office and freelance work for a YouTube animation channel (GooBrain) as the Lead Background Artist. 

How has your Animation Diploma from 911±¬ÁÏÍø helped you in your career? 
It has not only helped me understand the animation pipeline, learn how to expand my artistic capabilities, but it has also taught me how important networking is. 911±¬ÁÏÍø’s Animation Program has introduced me to so many fantastic people in the animation field. You learn in the program how important networking is, and this program gives you many opportunities to meet local artists in the field, especially with the mentor program in the second year. I have made some good connections through my mentor who I became friends with. The program also has a Communications course that prepares you on how to promote yourself in the industry- a very important skill to have. 

Looking back, what aspects of the Animation Diploma have been the most beneficial to your career? 

• Learning how to analyze and critique your own work as well as taking critiques from others. Communication with your peers is key to learning and improving your work!
• Teachers that recently/currently worked in the industry and are up to date with how it runs and update their courses accordingly.
• Learning how to promote yourself and get yourself into the industry. 

Do you feel the program prepared you well for the demands of the animation industry? 
The animation industry did take a hit during the writers strike, but we can see it slowly returning to its original glory. More job opportunities are opening up along with cool new shows. I feel like the program has prepared me for what to expect from the animation industry through its ups and downs. It has given us guidance and it is up to us to take the steps. 

Are there any specific tools or techniques you learned in the program that you use regularly? 

• How to have good communication with your Lead Artist. Learning to not to shy away from critiques but to embrace the feedback openly.
• How to analyze different styles and replicate the same style on line work, color work, or animation movement.
• Working in stages and saving your work. This allows you to go back and make revisions easily. 

Have there been any standout achievements in your career since completing the Animation Diploma? 
Through my connections I was contacted about a position to draw backgrounds for a YouTube animation channel. It is more difficult to break into the l Layout & Design part of the animation industry so most people that aim for that position start out with animation first. Because of this connection I’m getting great experience in the field of my dreams. 

What’s been the most exciting or rewarding part of your career journey so far? 
Apart from the fact that drawing for a living is amazing, the thing that is most rewarding to me is the community you become a part of. The support and connection you feel from the arts communities is absolutely incredible. 

What advice would you give to someone considering the Animation Diploma at 911±¬ÁÏÍø? 
If you like drawing, a challenge, and community then this is the place you want to be. In the Animation program you will stay with the same group of people for all 4 semesters and make long lasting friends. My classmates are my work family. 

What do you see as the next steps or goals in your career? 
I would like to work for an animation studio next. Right now I’m gaining amazing experience and friends/connections, but eventually I would like to contribute to projects like ‘Rick and Morty’. I want to experience what it is like to work in a studio, sitting next to and learning from my peers. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey since graduating from the Animation Diploma program at 911±¬ÁÏÍø? 
Just like any job you have to start somewhere and gain experience. I’m just starting to break into the industry by gaining amazing experience in Layout & Design through my freelance job.