[Graduate Interview Series | Part 4] Let’s hear from Una!

The “Graduate Interview Series” is back with Part 4! This time, we’re interviewing our student Una.

Una is an incredibly skilled modeler, and her finished work is just as impeccable. That’s how she earned the Excellence Award in the final project for the 8th session.

Alright then—let’s get into today’s interview!

SODAART: What sparked your interest in learning Live2D in the first place? Why did you want to learn it? Una: I’d known about the software for a while, and I was curious about how models were made. But back then, there wasn’t a structured course, so I just kept it in the back of my mind. Then one day I saw an ad introducing the course, got drawn in by the lovely course materials, and signed up right away!

SODAART: When you first started learning Live2D, did you set any goals for yourself? Una: Yes, a small one. My only goal at first was to follow the whole course through from beginning to end and get as far as I could.

[About the course] SODAART: After taking the class, was there anything that turned out differently from what you expected? Una: The content and length of the course were so much richer than I had imagined, w and once I actually heard the teacher teach, I realized there were so many details I had never thought about on my own.

SODAART: What did you gain the most from the modeling class? Una: A systematic way of learning. Through the perspectives of the teacher and TAs, I could understand modeling from different angles. When I wasn’t quite sure about something I was doing, the teacher’s and TAs’ checks and feedback helped me confirm what I was doing and why I was doing it that way.

SODAART: Which class left the deepest impression on you? Una: The parts where the teacher gave the software tools sound effects (?) were really memorable. Sometimes we’d even all make the sound together in class :3

SODAART: Did the teacher or TAs ever give you advice that really stuck with you? Una: Yes! But it was more encouragement than advice... It made me feel acknowledged, and I’m really grateful to the teacher and the TAs!! Being praised really does boost your confidence!

SODAART: What was the biggest help from having TAs review your work? Una: It helped me notice problems I had accidentally overlooked. And for parts where I wasn’t sure about the best approach, I could ask the TAs if they recommended any other ways of handling it, and I learned a lot that way too.

[About modeling] SODAART: What part of modeling do you enjoy doing the most? Una: It depends... on which part of the model catches my heart. Those are the parts I usually end up spending more than twice as long on w

SODAART: Is there any modeling detail you’re especially particular about? Una: Perspective! The angle doesn’t have to be huge, but it has to feel like there’s perspective!

SODAART: What part of modeling do you find the hardest? Una: Perspective... and the facial features. I still think I have room to improve there.

SODAART: What part of modeling gives you the biggest sense of accomplishment? Una: Every time I bring the model into VTS for testing at each stage, it feels like the model is gradually coming to life. And also... bug hunting XDD Finding and fixing them feels incredibly rewarding... and if I can’t find them... I might lose sleep.･ﾟ･(つд`ﾟ)･ﾟ･

SODAART: How would you describe your modeling style or signature? Una: Hmm... detail and cuteness? I’m still in the process of figuring that out w I hope I can keep building experience little by little and eventually find my own style and signature!

SODAART: Is there any technique you still want to try but haven’t yet? Una: I want to try styles I’ve never worked with before, and I also want to experiment more with effects and prop-like objects.

[Last word] SODAART: Do you have any advice for juniors who are just starting out? Una: Just do it! Even if it looks hard, the important thing is to follow the teacher’s steps and do it one step at a time! Once you’ve gone through the full production process once, you’ll know where you’re truly having trouble, and during the course you can ask the TAs as much as you want! A lot of the time, I’d keep working and then suddenly have this feeling of “Oh! Ohhh! So that’s how it works!” Sometimes you only really understand the underlying principles after actually doing the work and running into problems.

#Live2D #SODAART

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